Hong Kong Legco subcommittee approves HK$467 million in funding for turning old police station into international mediation office
- Justice minister Paul Lam says failing to deliver project by 2025 may lead to serious consequences
- The centre set to become first to specialise in mediation for resolution of international disputes
A Hong Kong legislative subcommittee on Tuesday approved more than HK$460 million (US$58.8 million) in funding for turning an old police station into the headquarters of an international mediation organisation, with the city’s justice minister warning failure to deliver by 2025 may lead to diplomatic issues.
The government sought HK$466.6 million in funding for the conversion of the old Wan Chai Police Station into the headquarters of the International Organisation for Mediation, which is led by China and other relevant states.
The site stretching over an area of about 1,960 square metres (21,097 sq ft) will provide an office, mediation centre and other related supporting facilities to meet the operational needs of the organisation.
The headquarters should be made available within 2025, under an agreement reached between parties involved in the negotiation of an international convention for the establishment of the organisation, according to the government. Authorities are aiming for substantial completion by the middle of next year to meet the timeline.
“It is the first international intergovernmental organisation to set up its headquarters in Hong Kong,” Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok said at a meeting with the Legislative Council’s public works subcommittee.
He said it would become the first international intergovernmental organisation specialising in mediation for the resolution of global disputes.
Lam added authorities were committed to getting the headquarters ready by 2025, adding failing to deliver could lead to serious consequences.