Kenya has been elected the Vice Chair of the newly established International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed) during its inauguration ceremony held on Monday in Hong Kong, the Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.
The International Organisation for Mediation is the world’s newest intergovernmental body dedicated to promoting the peaceful resolution of disputes through mediation.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the organisation was officially inaugurated following the signing of its Constitutive Instrument on May 30, 2025, in Hong Kong, by 38 countries, including Kenya.
The event was attended by senior global diplomats, with Kenya represented by its Ambassador to China, Willy Bett, who was elected as one of the two Vice-Chairpersons of IOMed’s Governing Council.
The establishment of IOMed is seen as a major step in strengthening global mechanisms for mediation, offering a structured platform for resolving disputes between states, investors, and commercial entities, according to the Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Korir Sing'Oei.
IOMed’s operations are expected to enhance global investment confidence by providing efficient mechanisms for resolving commercial and investment disputes, particularly in emerging economies.
Additionally, it will also offer capacity-building initiatives for member states to strengthen their domestic mediation frameworks.
''Kenya's membership in IOMed aligns with the country's leadership in mediation and the promotion of peaceful means to dispute settlement," Sing'Oei said in a statement.
Adding that: ''The IOMed will adjudicate disputes between States, investors and commercial entities through mediation, thereby derisking investments and providing a predictable, flexible, cost-effective and efficient mode of dispute resolution, including capacity building for contracting parties.''
In June this year, Kenya was awarded yet another global recognition after it was elected to the UN Tourism Executive Council for the 2025–2029 term.
Kenya beat Thailand and Malta in the highly contested elections, marking a major milestone in the country's global tourism leadership.
The developments come at a time when President William Ruto has been taking steps to promote Kenya's global ranking from third world to first world to compete with peers such as Singapore and South Korea.
