On the 11th of December 2025, the 2025 International Mediation Conference took place under the theme “Regional Challenges, Regional Solutions, Global Outcomes.”
This event was held in an online format with bringing together 16 nationalities and over 200 registrants. Organized by the ICMC (Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators) and MTI EA (Mediation Training Institute East Africa), an IMI implementing organization. The goal of this conference was to explore how a mediation that is adaptive, inclusive, and grounded in the realities of regions can be a powerful tool across Africa and beyond to address social, economic, and environmental pressures. It aimed not only to be a professional exchange but also to provide a space for structured discussions on how participants may, working together, contribute to the further development of mediation in Africa, focusing on practical action based ideas that can actually be implemented in real life to achieve this goal.
Some of the featured panels covered very relevant topics like diversity between jurisdictions, specialized mediation, climate-driven disputes, the importance of understanding and leading. IMI was also able to participate and contribute to the discussion by having its executive director, Ivana Nincic Osterle deliver a presentation on professional mediation.
List of Speakers Included:
Ivana Nincic Osterle · Jonathan Lloyd-Jones – President International Academy of Mediators · Victor Baba · Joe Tirado · Dr. Zaza Johnson Elsheikh · Dr.Mohammed Ahmed Adan · Susan Borgers· Amb. J. Kiplagat · Prof. Sam Rugege – Retired Chief Justice of Rwanda · Dr. Ddepika Saini · Justice Nyakundi Teddy Naluyirika Mayengo ·David ** · Dr. Beatrice Nzou · Theo Bitho · Kokebe Kevin Odhiambo · Varuna Badhari
Professional Mediation
In her presentation, IMI Executive Director, Ivana Nincic highlighted professional mediation as a vital cornerstone for ethical and effective dispute resolution. She introduced the International Mediation Institute (IMI), emphasizing its mission to foster global excellence and trust through a harmonious credentialing scheme. By establishing IMI Certification as a benchmark for high competency and transparency, the IMI ensures accountability through innovative tools like feedback digests. Furthermore, she discussed the development of mediation advocacy certifications and the IMI Draft Code of Conduct, both designed to provide a rigorous ethical framework for practitioners worldwide.
In her presentation, IMI Executive Director, Ivana Nincic highlighted professional mediation as a vital cornerstone for ethical and effective dispute resolution. She introduced the International Mediation Institute (IMI), emphasizing its mission to foster global excellence and trust through a harmonious credentialing scheme. By establishing IMI Certification as a benchmark for high competency and transparency, the IMI ensures accountability through innovative tools like feedback digests. Furthermore, she discussed the development of mediation advocacy certifications and the IMI Draft Code of Conduct, both designed to provide a rigorous ethical framework for practitioners worldwide.
Diversity between jurisdictions
Jonathan Lloyd-Jones was the first speaker of this conference, at how the structure of different legal systems influences the practice of mediation across jurisdictions.
Besides highlighting this diversity, during his presentation he also raised a very important point which is the value of the nuance in mediation.He addressed the complexities of a world where conflicts are no longer just regional but increasingly local, driven by highly diverse social norms and a growing tendency toward ‘black and white’ thinking. He highlighted how mediation offers a distinct advantage over traditional dispute resolution: rather than forcing a choice between opposing sides, it empowers parties to collectively craft a solution under the mediator’s guidance. This inherent nuance and flexibility makes mediation extremely valuable, and the speaker expressed hope that this quality will be increasingly recognized.
Specialized Mediation
Another key topic , specialized mediation, was raised by Victor Baba in his panel, focusing on community mediation in developing Africa. He provided an introduction to the scope of issues that specialized mediation covers, its benefits and examples of real life cases.
He explained how this area of mediation is directed to solving disputes between companies and communities that may be, in one way or another, affected by its business operations. It covers disputes related to highly sensitive issues that go from employment and working conditions, cultural sensitivities to even environmental safeguards.
This illustrated the many benefits that this type of specialized mediation brings for both of the parties like the increase of the feeling of inclusion, achieving that all parties feel seen and heard throughout the process, and creating tailored solutions. Ultimately, this will lead to building long term durable relationships between the parties.
In order to showcase its effectiveness, Mr. Baba brought two real life cases where this type of specialised mediation was implemented successfully, namely:
Investor-State Mediation
This panel presented by Joe Tirado offered an introduction and an insight into the history and development of Investor-State Mediation (ISM), explaining how lately it has become more prominent in the resolution of investor state disputes, a field where arbitration has for a long time been considered the main method that the parties usually opt for.
The speaker argued several points that have caused the rise of Investor-State Mediation in popularity, among which are: the short amount of time in which disputes are resolved, and the fact that it is very customizable and deals with non-monetary solutions in contrast to other methods of dispute resolution (e.g., policy changes, licenses, joint ventures). Furthermore, Interstate mediation is amicable, designed to preserve the long-term relationship between the State and the Investor, in contrast to the adversarial nature of arbitration.
The speaker also delved into topics like the rapid institutionalization of Investor-State Mediation and the emergence of a sophisticated global legal architecture designed to support it.
International mediation has evolved from an informal alternative into a structured global powerhouse. Leading bodies like ICSID and UNCITRAL have moved beyond theory to establish concrete procedural rules, providing states and investors with a clear, predictable roadmap for resolving complex disputes.
Trust in this process is underpinned by professionalization. The International Mediation Institute (IMI) has set rigorous competency standards and ethical benchmarks that have been adopted by UNCITRAL. By maintaining directories of certified experts, these organizations ensure that every intervention is handled by a vetted professional, elevating mediation into a disciplined global practice.
The true “game-changer” is the Singapore Convention. By creating a uniform framework for cross-border enforcement of mediated settlements, this eliminates major barriers like uncertainty. Finally, the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) provides a permanent, neutral platform for diplomacy, signaling that mediation is now a primary pillar of international law.
Localized Mediation Models for Climate-Driven Conflicts in Somalia
In his presentation, Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Adan highlighted how localized mediation serves as a vital tool for resolving climate-driven conflicts in Somalia. He explained that local mediators use the Xeer customary system to provide rapid, low-cost, and culturally legitimate solutions to resource disputes triggered by droughts and floods. This community-led approach is remarkably effective, resolving 70–75% of disputes at the early stages and easing the burden on the national government and formal courts.
Leading and Pacing in Mediation
In her presentation, Susan Bongers argued that successful mediation depends on a mediator’s ability to master two critical roles: leading and pacing. Leading is essential for guiding parties through complex negotiations, particularly when they are unaware of potential “win-win” solutions often called “enlarging the cake” or when confidential information creates misunderstandings.
Conversely, pacing involves adjusting the speed and intensity of the session to ensure all participants, especially those with varying levels of involvement or those who join the process late, remain fully engaged and informed. By skillfully balancing these two attitudes, a mediator upholds the core values of self-determination and informed decision-making, even when parties attempt to sway the process in one direction or the other.
