CMI peacebuilding work receives thanks from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

President Martti Ahtisaari and CMI’s Executive Director Tuija Talvitie met the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday 4 February in New York.

The discussions focused among others on CMI’s work to support increased capacities in gender-sensitive and inclusive mediation among key UN envoys and mediators, together with the UN Department of Political Affairs and the Peace Research Institute in Oslo. The Secretary-General thanked CMI for these efforts, which promote a stronger role for women in peace processes and broader considerations of gender issues in peace agreements.

“I am impressed by how knowledgeable the Secretary-General was about the work we do to prevent and resolve conflicts around the world”, said Ms. Tuija Talvitie. She gave a comprehensive overview of CMI’s international peacebuilding efforts and highlighted in particular that sustainable peace requires broad involvement by everyone, including women and youth.

The Secretary-General also expressed his appreciation for CMI’s support in the preparation of the UN Guidance for Effective Mediation and its further dissemination in Europe and elsewhere.

President Martti Ahtisaari and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon discussed primarily the crisis in Syria and the negotiations regarding the nuclear programme of Iran.

More information about CMI’s work on gender and inclusion

Gender and inclusive mediation training for high-level mediators on 8-10 October 2013
Women’s participation in peacebuilding must be ensured