Oslo Forum 2017: Peacemaking in a New Era of Geopolitics

13-14 June 2017  -  Oslo, Norway

The 15th edition of the Oslo Forum, co-hosted by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, concluded today, marking a significant event in the field of international conflict mediation. The two-day event, held from 13-14 June, was themed "Peacemaking in a new era of geopolitics," reflecting the evolving and challenging landscape of global diplomacy.

This year's forum brought together over 100 of the world's most prominent peacemakers, decision-makers, conflict actors, and academics from 42 nationalities. Among the participants was our expert Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj.   The Oslo Forum is celebrated for its unique approach to conflict mediation, promoting candid and informed discussions under the Chatham House Rule, which ensures confidentiality and fosters open dialogue.

The discussions this year were particularly poignant, exploring how growing regional and international competition among powerful states is influencing conflict resolution efforts around the world. They discussed the prospects for mediation processes in environments which are increasingly shaped by geopolitical rivalries, how mediators can avoid becoming pawns in a bigger chess game, and what can be done to encourage an alignment of great power interests for the sake of peace.

The impact of great power politics also featured prominently in a session on the United Nation’s role as a peacemaker. Participants discussed how the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoys and Special Representatives can face increasing regional tensions, deepening geopolitical fissures, and growing scepticism towards a multilateral system. Participants agreed that the UN will need to undertake reforms if it is to deal effectively with the changing nature of today’s conflicts.

The forum also covered a broad spectrum of topics, including the historic peace agreement in Colombia, mechanisms for popular validation of peace agreements, the impact of new communication technologies on mediation processes, the peace process in Cyprus, as well negotiations in the Philippines and Syria and reconciliation in Iraq.

Despite the daunting obstacles discussed, particularly in the context of South Sudan, Iraq, and Syria, the Colombian peace process offered an important opportunity for peacemakers and mediators to draw inspiration from successes.

As the Oslo Forum 2017 concluded, it challenged its practitioners to reconsider the complexities of peacemaking in an increasingly fractured world, review their analysis of current conflicts, and rethink the value of old peacemaking strategies in a new era. 

To learn more about this event, please review the Meeting Report at HD’s website >

To view images of the event, please visit the photo gallery on Flickr >

Header Photo

John Kerry, the former United States Secretary of State, and Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, at the Oslo Forum 2017.  Photo © Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.  Link >

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