Janne Taalas, CEO of CMI. Photo: Kim Haldin / CMI
As wars and polarisation have narrowed the space for official diplomacy, independent mediators such as CMI have a growing role to play.
In 2023, international developments were shaped by military conflict and ongoing geopolitical tensions. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine continued, while emerging major conflicts in Gaza and Sudan displaced millions of people and threatened regional stability. Much of the international attention was focused on limiting the consequences of these wars.
In addition to the bloody wars, CMI’s year was marked by the passing of our founder, President Martti Ahtisaari, in October 2023. In the dark autumn, we found solace in President Ahtisaari’s inherent optimism and his ever ever-relevant clarion call that “peace is a question of will.”
As international organisations grapple with geopolitical tensions and diplomats face increasing constraints, President Ahtisaari’s vision of independent mediation actors remains relevant. Building on its founder’s living legacy, CMI aims to stimulate discussion on the future of peace mediation through workshops and seminars.
Difficult times have increased the demand for CMI’s work and augmented the commitment of all its geographical teams. This growth stems from a steady flow of requests and increasing financial support from existing and new key partners. CMI also deepened its cooperation and reached a record number of joint projects with its peer organisations.
In January 2024, CMI organised a high-level dialogue on the role of peace in the new European security architecture. Photo: Kim Haldin / CMI
Looking at our work in 2023, four overarching developments are likely to shape our future efforts:
First, there is a need to maintain engagement with regimes and actors that are shunned by the international community. Wars and polarisation have narrowed the official diplomatic space. Independent actors who do not legitimise their counterparts have a growing role to play in bridging this gap.
Second, as international organisations struggle, there is a demand for minilateral or flexilateral arrangements that allow for smaller and flexible coalitions between countries. Such arrangements bring together regional actors and relevant external actors in informal and frank discussions.
Third, links with emerging mediation actors are consolidating. Non-Western actors are increasingly engaged in mediation, and CMI looks forward to deepening its engagement with them.
Finally, foresight methodologies are becoming more prominent. New digital tools can facilitate discussions about long-term problems and solutions, and broaden horizons beyond present-day conflicts.
Janne Taalas
Chief Executive Officer, CMI
This article was published in CMI’s 2023 annual report.