Oslo Forum 2026 Report - The cost of war, the price of peace
- Author: David Lanz
- Editor: Huongly Buiduong
The new Oslo Forum 2026 report, The cost of war, the price of peace, explores how mediation is adapting to a world of intensifying conflict, geopolitical competition and a more fragmented international order.
Drawing on discussions among 140 senior mediators, policymakers, diplomats and peace practitioners from more than 50 countries, the report examines what is changing in contemporary peacemaking – and what remains essential.
One of its central findings is the growing importance of bespoke mediator coalitions. As conflicts become more internationalised and traditional multilateral mechanisms struggle to respond, states, international organisations and other actors are increasingly combining their different forms of leverage, legitimacy and expertise. But the report also highlights the limits of such arrangements: external pressure can help bring parties to the table, but durable peace ultimately depends on political commitment and sustained engagement.
The report also explores the growing gap between agreements and settlements. Ceasefires, humanitarian arrangements and other limited deals can reduce violence and create space for diplomacy, but increasingly they are only steps towards resolving the deeper political questions that drive conflict. The challenge for mediators is to keep working beyond the signing of an agreement – filling the gaps, managing disputes and building towards more durable settlements.
Beyond conventional peace processes, the report examines the role of mediation in addressing transnational risks, from nuclear escalation and maritime insecurity to artificial intelligence. Across these areas, the discussions point to the importance of dialogue, confidence-building and practical cooperation as tools for preventing crises and managing shared risks.
The report captures a mediation community working in difficult circumstances, but also looking for new ways forward. Its conclusion is both sober and resolute: in a world where the costs of conflict continue to rise, diplomacy remains indispensable – and peace requires sustained investment.
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For further information, contact the Oslo Forum team at osloforum@hdcentre.org.
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