Kenya Secures Top Position in Newly Formed Global Mediation Body
Kenya has earned another major diplomatic win after being elected as the Vice Chair of the newly launched International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed). The election took place during the organisation’s official inauguration ceremony held on Monday in Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.
IOMed is the world’s newest intergovernmental institution committed to promoting peaceful dispute resolution through mediation rather than confrontation or litigation. Its creation marks a significant shift in how countries, investors, and major commercial entities handle conflicts.
According to Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the organisation was formally established after 38 countries — including Kenya — signed its founding agreement on May 30, 2025, in Hong Kong.
The inauguration ceremony brought together leading global diplomats. Kenya was represented by Ambassador Willy Bett, who received the honour of being elected as one of the two Vice-Chairpersons of IOMed’s Governing Council.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei described the creation of IOMed as a crucial advancement in strengthening international systems for mediation. He noted that the organisation will provide a structured platform to peacefully resolve disputes between nations, investors, and corporations.
Once operational, IOMed is expected to boost investor confidence globally by offering faster and more predictable methods for settling commercial and investment-related conflicts, especially in fast-growing economies.
Beyond dispute resolution, the organisation will also support member countries by offering training and capacity-building programmes to improve their internal mediation frameworks.
“Kenya’s involvement in IOMed fits perfectly with our track record in championing mediation and peaceful conflict resolution,” Sing’Oei said in an official statement.
He further explained, “IOMed will handle disputes among states, investors and commercial players through mediation. This will help reduce investment risks while providing a flexible, affordable and reliable model for conflict resolution, along with training support for member countries.”
This recognition comes shortly after another major achievement. In June this year, Kenya was elected to the UN Tourism Executive Council for the 2025–2029 term, beating Thailand and Malta in a competitive race. The victory cemented Kenya’s growing influence in global tourism leadership.
These developments reflect President William Ruto’s wider agenda to elevate Kenya’s global status — moving it from the category of developing nations to stand alongside high-performing economies like Singapore and South Korea.
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