Türkiye to host 9th Istanbul Mediation Conference on Oct. 23-24

Conference to bring together diplomats, international organizations, experts to discuss conflict resolution, preventive diplomacy, new approaches to mediation

Türkiye will host the ninth Istanbul Mediation Conference on Oct. 23-24 under the theme “Partnerships and New Perspectives for Peace: Mediation in a Changing World,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Monday. The conference will be held under the auspices of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan amid rapid and profound changes in global dynamics, the ministry said in a statement. Türkiye, which has played an active role in promoting the peaceful resolution of conflicts, launched the “Mediation for Peace” initiative at the UN in 2010. It is also the only country to simultaneously co-chair the Groups of Friends of Mediation at the UN, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Türkiye has hosted the Istanbul Mediation Conferences since 2012, establishing the event as a leading international platform for conflict resolution, preventive diplomacy and mediation. The ninth edition is expected to bring together relevant stakeholders to promote dialogue, address current challenges in mediation and develop forward-looking perspectives and innovative approaches, the statement said. The conference will open with two panels titled “Mediation in a Changing World: Reclaiming the Space for Diplomacy” and “Partnerships and New Perspectives for Peace: Shaping the Future of Mediation.” The sessions will explore how the international community can create greater space for diplomacy and how mediation can play a more effective role in preventing conflicts. Other panels, including “Shared Commitment to Peace: Experiences and Perspectives,” “Humanitarian Efforts in Times of Conflict” and “From Prevention to Sustainable Peace,” will focus on the experiences and challenges of countries engaged in mediation. They will also examine different approaches to mediation processes and draw on the expertise of academics, specialists and think tank representatives working in the field.