In the shifting global order, conflicts are multiplying, and so are the number and diversity of mediation actors engaged in peacemaking. Unfortunately, this expansion does not seem to automatically be translating into more sustainable peace. Instead, peacemaking efforts are increasingly fragmented and much less anchored in multilateral frameworks.
The growing plurality of mediation actors including state, regional, multilateral, and other international and local actors hold significant potential if sufficiently accompanied by shared understandings, coordination, and connectivity among actors and initiatives. Addressing this gap requires deeper exchanges across the broadening mediation landscape, as well as stronger links between policy, practice, and institutional frameworks.
Strengthening multilateral peacemaking capacities, improving connectivity among diversifying mediation actors, and enhancing mediation policy and practice are mutually reinforcing priorities contributing to more effective, inclusive, and collaborative peacemaking.
Supporting multilateral peacemaking
CMI works closely with multilateral organisations involved in peacemaking at both the field and institutional levels. We provide independent, expert, solution-oriented advisory support to multilateral frameworks and actors, and we support the meaningful participation of civil society in multilateral peacemaking processes and initiatives, all with a view to advancing peace processes around the world. We also contribute to shaping peace mediation priorities, actions and policymaking of major regional and international actors.
We harness long-term partnerships with multilateral actors, most notably with the United Nations (UN), European Union (EU), African Union (AU), the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). We also work closely with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Intergovernmental Authority on DeveIopment (IGAD) in Eastern Africa.
Improving connectivity among diverse actors
Effective conflict resolution increasingly depends on stronger connectivity among the diversity of global mediation actors, including state mediators, multilateral and regional frameworks, and independent initiatives. CMI works to strengthen links across this broadening ecosystem, fostering shared understanding of peacemaking approaches, methods, and challenges at both global and regional levels.
CMI has tangibly strengthened connectivity across regions and mediation ecosystems by convening and facilitating sustained exchanges among peacemaking actors from Asia, the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Europe enabling cross-regional learning and coordination that would otherwise remain limited or ad hoc.
Enhancing peacemaking policy and practice
CMI’s policy and practice efforts are rooted in the lessons learned from CMI’s experience in different contexts and thematic areas, the legacy of President Martti Ahtisaari, and CMI’s extensive international partnerships and networks with peers, think tanks, state actors and increasingly with academia.
CMI’s support has contributed to the policies and practices of key international and regional conflict prevention and resolution actors. These include the UN peacebuilding architecture, EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and mediation and conflict prevention in Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the OSCE frameworks.
