Nobel Peace Prize laureate Martti Ahtisaari (1937–2023), was one of the world’s most successful peacemakers. Following the passing of Finland’s former President and CMI’s founder, CMI launched a global series of discussions in 2024 focused on his legacy and the future of mediation and diplomacy at a time when international norms are being frequently upended.
Seven seminars have been held since October 2024, highlighting local and regional dimensions of peacebuilding while staying true to the values Ahtisaari stood for: empathy, multilateralism, and a deep belief in the possibility of dialogue. This summary provides a brief record of the journey beginning in Türkiye which will culminate in late 2025 with the 25th anniversary of CMI’s founding.
CMI’s seminar at the United Nations in April 2025.
Türkiye: Marking a century of friendship and championing mediation in a divided world
The inaugural Martti Ahtisaari Legacy Seminar took place on the 1st of October 2024 at Bilkent University in Ankara, Türkiye, marking 100 years of diplomatic relations between Finland and Türkiye. Co-organised by CMI, the Finnish Embassy and Bilkent University, the event considered the late President’s legacy and stressed the urgent need for dialogue at a time of polarisation. Incumbent Finnish President Alexander Stubb opened the seminar, describing Ahtisaari as empathic, optimistic and rational. He also made the case that multilateral mediation is needed more than ever. Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen and Türkiye’s Deputy Foreign Minister Burhanettin Duran gave keynote remarks. Valtonen pointed out that water diplomacy is a tool for building trust, particularly in regions where natural resources are closely linked to peace and stability. The seminar featured a panel on peace mediation in the Horn of Africa during which youth engagement, climate challenges and ongoing conflict emerged as central themes. Special Envoy Suldaan Said Ahmed noted that young people in the region were eager to contribute to peace, but needed greater support, resources and recognition of their potential.
Brussels: Can the EU still be a peace project despite war in Europe?
The second Martti Ahtisaari Legacy Seminar was was held on 2nd December 2024 in the library of the European Parliament in Brussels. Brussels was chosen for its symbolic importance at the centre of European integration and for its role in shaping the EU’s approach to peace and security. Jointly organised by CMI, the European Parliament and the Permanent Representations of Finland and Ireland, invitees included young peacebuilders, diplomats and European parliamentarians. At a time of ongoing war in Ukraine and wider instability, the discussions focused on Europe’s responsibility in safeguarding peace and democracy. Speakers included Ana Gomes, a long-time member of the European Parliament, and Finland’s former Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto. Gomes described peacemaking as “painful and persistent work” that demanded patience and resilience. She called for greater political will to ensure the EU’s values are translated into concrete action through diplomacy, mediation, and an “unwavering commitment to justice”.
South Africa: Reconciliation, memory and mediation in the spirit of anti-apartheid solidarity
Sixth of March 2025 was the date for CMI’s third seminar, held at Freedom Park in Pretoria, a national heritage site dedicated to South Africa’s struggle for democracy and reconciliation. The event opened with the unveiling of a plaque in honour of President Ahtisaari and six other Finns who supported the anti-apartheid movement. Chair of CMI’s Board Marko Ahtisaari, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Finland’s Ambassador to South Africa, Pekka Metso, attended the seminar. It included panel discussions on the future of mediation in Africa, with speakers advocating for inclusive, locally-led processes that link peace and justice and meaningfully include young people. Speakers also addressed structural inequality and development. CMI’s rapporteur Yahya Sonko wrote that the event showed how mediation can support long-term social change and not just the resolution of conflict.
New York: Multilateralism under pressure, but dialogue’s importance has not lessened
Taking place in New York at the United Nations, 3rd April 2025 was the date for Legacy seminar number four. Organised with partners the International Crisis Group and the Permanent Missions of Finland and Namibia to the UN, discussions explored the current challenges to multilateralism. Speakers called for greater efforts to achieve inclusive, locally-owned mediation, and the reform of international institutions. Former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin and former Colombian President and Nobel Laureate Juan Manuel Santos headlined the event, joined by panellists Martin Kimani, Rina Amiri, Chester A. Crocker, Jeffrey Feltman and UN Assistant Secretary-General Elizabeth Spehar. Despite rising distrust in global cooperation, dialogue remains essential for resolving conflict and achieving lasting peace, speakers argued. Ambassador Elina Kalkku, Permanent Representative of Finland to the UN , remarked that President Ahtisaari’s legacy reflected “the spirit of multilateralism, diplomacy, cooperation and equality of human beings.” Quoting his Nobel lecture, she added: “We cannot afford to lose the United Nations.”
The Martti Ahtisaari Legacy Seminar in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Pictured: Tanzanian Ambassador Liberata Mulamula. Photo: Peter Seenan / CMI.
Tanzania: Reflecting on six decades of diplomatic ties and Tanzania in Ahtisaari’s journey
Sixty years of diplomatic relations between Finland and Tanzania were commemorated at the fifth seminar, held on the 15th of May 2025 in Dar es Salaam. Alongside CMI, the event was put together by the Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, the Salim Ahmed Salim Centre for Foreign Relations, and the Finnish Embassy. The high-level gathering reflected on Tanzania’s place in Ahtisaari’s peacemaking journey. Participants included President of Finland Alexander Stubb, who cautioned against declining faith in multilateralism, alongside Tanzanians such as H.E. Mahmoud Thabit Kombo and former Foreign Minister Liberata Mulamula. A notable theme was the empowerment of youth. Those present called for immediate inclusion in peacebuilding, including discussions on digital diplomacy and countering online extremist recruitment. Felix Kufus, CMI’s rapporteur, observed that in an era of shrinking space for peace, partnerships like that between Finland and Tanzania matter more than ever.
Geneva: Humanitarian diplomacy and mediation meet in a city made for dialogue
Geneva hosted the sixth seminar in the series on 22nd May 2025, reflecting its long-standing status as a hub for diplomacy and peace efforts. CMI, Interpeace, the Permanent Mission of Finland in Geneva, and the Geneva Graduate Institute organised the event. It brought together diplomats, civil society actors, students, and peace practitioners to explore the intersection of peace mediation and humanitarian diplomacy. Dr Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, President of Kosovo, reflected on Ahtisaari’s personal history as a refugee and his unwavering commitment to peace as a necessity rather than an ideal. She emphasised his moral clarity, pragmatic approach and the dignity that earned him influence at the world’s most important tables. Osmani Sadriu said: “Ahtisaari’s legacy lives not only in the treaties, but in the lived reality of an independent Kosovo.”
Jakarta: Southeast Asian voices call for youth inclusion and regional cooperation on peace
The latest Martti Ahtisaari Legacy Seminar was held on the 30th of June 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia. It was organised by CMI in tandem with the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) and the Finnish Embassy. The event featured a keynote address by former Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla and welcomed contributors such as Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz from ASEAN, Thailand’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Dino Patti Djalal from FPCI, Amina Rasul-Bernardo from the Philippines, and youth representatives. The seminar focused on Southeast Asia’s tradition of regional peacemaking, with particular reference to lessons from the Aceh peace process. It also concluded that there needs to be stronger regional and global cooperation and called for youth to be meaningfully involved in peace efforts across ASEAN, rather than their inclusion being a token gesture. Janne Taalas, CMI CEO, said the event was important “at a time when trust in global institutions is eroding,” and praised the seminar for offering a space to rebuild confidence in diplomacy.