The International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) was inaugurated in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Monday, marking the launch of the world's first intergovernmental body dedicated to mediation and the first to base its headquarters in Hong Kong.

Secretary-General Teresa Cheng said IOMed aims to be "an additional pillar in international dispute resolution." IOMed provides mediation in three categories – state-to-state, investor-state and international commercial disputes.