Algeria hosts IMO chief, reinforcing diplomatic ambitions

Algeria is solidifying its diplomatic ambitions by hosting Teresa Cheng, the Secretary-General of the International Mediation Organization (IMO). The meeting, held at the Ministry of Justice, highlighted Algeria's increasing prominence as a key player in global peaceful dispute resolution.

Cheng, a respected figure in international commercial arbitration and mediation, is on a working visit to Algeria from June 7-10, 2026. Her presence underscores the IMO's growing interest in Algeria's strategic positioning in amicable conflict resolution. The IMO, officially launched in 2024 with its headquarters in Hong Kong, seeks to offer a structured and neutral platform for resolving international commercial disputes.

Algeria was among the first nations to sign the IMO's founding convention in Hong Kong on May 30, 2025. This early commitment positions the country as a foundational state for an organization aspiring to become a universal legal framework for international mediation, akin to the New York Convention's role in arbitration.

Algerian Minister of Justice Lotfi Boudjemaa reaffirmed the nation's dedication to peaceful conflict resolution. He described mediation not merely as a legal technique but as a profound reflection of Algeria's deeply rooted historical values. Boudjemaa stressed mediation's application across civil, commercial, and criminal domains, stating it embodies Algeria's historical commitment to amicable dispute settlement. This aligns with recent Algerian legislative reforms promoting alternative justice methods, including a law on conventional mediation.

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as an embodiment of Algeria's values and history based on the amicable settlement of disputes