Kenyan elected vice chair of new global mediation body in China
Kenya’s Ambassador to China, Willy Bett, has been elected vice chair of the newly established International Organization for Mediation (IOMED) during its inauguration in Hong Kong, the Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. The announcement marks a major milestone in Kenya’s growing global role in promoting peaceful conflict resolution.
The inauguration of IOMed took place on Monday, October 20, 2025, in the morning and brought together delegates from thirty-eight countries, including Kenya, who signed the constitutive instrument on May 30, 2025.
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Through a statement on X, the event was graced by Hua Chunying, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, and John Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong.
Kenya’s Ambassador to China Willy Bett, was elected as one of the two vice chairpersons of the Governing Council of IOMed.
Body to promote peaceful dispute resolution
During the meeting, Professor Teresa Cheng, Senior Counsel, Chartered Engineer, Arbitrator, and Mediator, who previously served as the Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong SAR, was appointed as the first Secretary General of IOMed.Sun Jin was named Deputy Secretary General.
The newly established organisation will focus on resolving disputes between states, investors, and commercial entities through mediation. Its creation aims to provide a predictable, flexible, and cost-effective platform for addressing conflicts while strengthening global cooperation in dispute resolution. IOMed will also build capacity for contracting parties, helping countries improve their mediation frameworks and prevent conflicts before they escalate.
Kenya’s election to the vice chair position reflects its consistent leadership in promoting peace and mediation across Africa and beyond. The country has long championed peaceful approaches to conflict settlement, both at the regional and international levels.
Kenya’s role in IOMed matches its plan to create a “Convention for the Support, Protection and Acceleration of Conflict Prevention and Resolution,” which aims to tackle conflicts within countries and improve early mediation methods.
According to the statement, Kenya’s involvement in IOMed will also help boost confidence among investors by reducing the risks associated with cross-border disputes. The country’s growing influence in global diplomacy continues to position it as a key advocate for peace, dialogue, and cooperative conflict resolution.
