Around 100 of the world’s prominent mediators and peace process actors attended the 2015 Oslo Forum, the leading international network of armed conflict mediation practitioners, in June in Norway. They shared practical experiences and engaged in lively debates on current peacemaking practice and mediation trends.
The event’s overarching theme was ‘Peacemaking in the new world disorder’. Key highlights included a frank discussion with Colombian President Santos on the complexities of the peace process in his country; a meeting between senior political leaders and representatives of the Afghan Government and Taliban who, for the first time, outlined the broad contours of a possible peace process; a conversation with ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, on the nexus between justice and peace; and reflections by high-level mediators, including former EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, on the intricacies of peace process mechanics.
Other issues covered during the Forum included: possible responses to the Islamic State phenomenon; the Serbia–Kosovo agreement on normalising bilateral relations; peacemaking trends in Asia; insecurity and instability in Northern Africa and the Middle East; Nigeria’s multifaceted security challenges; the implications of an Iran nuclear deal for stability in the Middle East; and South Sudan’s ongoing turmoil. Details of the discussions are presented in this report.