Pandemic poses new demands for peace processes
As part of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs supports a discussion event, entitled Multilateralism, Peace and Security – Strengthening the Rules-Based Multilateral Framework to Sustain Peace. The event is co-organised by the World Leadership Alliance – Club de Madrid (WLA CdM) and Crisis Management Initiative (CMI) and held on 6–8 October 2020.
Former heads of state and mediators will gather in virtual rooms to discuss the current state and future of mediation. Former President Tarja Halonen talks about the importance of the multilateral system for peace and security, and former Prime Minister Esko Aho will talk about the private sector’s role for the promotion of peace. The event will be opened by Chair of the CMI Board Alexander Stubb and Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto will give the opening speech.
The event will be held virtually. You can follow the discussion at https://finland.dialoguescdm.org/register/(Link to another website.). The programme can be accessed at Club de Madrid's website(Link to another website.).
New ways to strengthen peace processes
The 75th anniversary of the United Nations offers an appropriate setting for reviewing former practices and considering recommendations for future action. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) on Women, Peace and Security, but there has been hardly any increase in the number of women in peace processes. The implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that aims to increase peace and stability is still incomplete. One of the goals of the event is to gather policy recommendations for strengthening the UN’s peace and security work and for responding to the set targets. The long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on peace processes will also be discussed.
The event will explore innovative approaches for use during the ongoing pandemic and for its aftermath, when new kinds of networks, coordination and participation are required to promote and maintain peace and stability. The aim is to find new ways to increase women's participation in peace processes, the implementation of peace agreements and decision-making; to assess the roles of the private sector and technology in conflict prevention and peacebuilding; and to develop a strategic approach for increasing the roles of regional and specialised organisations (e.g. AU, EU, OSCE, OAS) in peace work.
It is important to maintain and update the significant role and practical ways of multilateral cooperation in the promotion of peace and security. The COVID-19 pandemic calls for new kinds of approaches for maintaining peace and for promoting peace processes.
The World Leadership Alliance, Club de Madrid (WLA-CdM) is a forum of former leaders of democratic states, consisting of 112 members from more than 70 countries. The forum aims to promote democratic values, the rule of law and people's wellbeing. Former Presidents Martti Ahtisaari and Tarja Halonen and former Prime Minister Esko Aho are members of WLA-CdM.
Crisis Management Initiative (CMI) is a Finnish conflict management organisation, which works to prevent and resolve violent conflicts through informal dialogue and mediation. Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Martti Ahtisaari founded the organisation after his term as President of Finland in 2000. CMI is currently one of the world leaders in its area of activity