EU and UN ensure enhancing exchange on mediation and dialogue between regional organisations participating in inclusive peace processes

On 4 and 5 December, the European Union, in partnership with the United Nations, and with support from European Resources for Mediation Support (ERMES) hosted experts from regional organisations active on mediation and conflict prevention for a high-level meeting. The participants discussed ways of addressing challenges posed by climate change and scarcity of natural resources to peace processes.

The event took place in Brussels with the participation of the African Union (AU), Economic Community of African States (ECCAS), Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Organization of American States (OAS), the League of Arab States (LAS) and the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR). It is part of an ongoing process aimed at strengthening ties between multilateral actors and takes place on a biannual basis.

With conflicts on the rise, and unprecedented challenges, mediation is a key tool, with regional organisations playing a role of paramount importance in responding to conflicts with the support of the UN and the EU.

The objectives of this meeting were:

• to deepen partnerships between all participating organisations;
• to identify gaps and best practices on topics of critical importance for the field of mediation, as well as promote mutual learning;
• to bridge the gap between policy and operational work.

The call to establish strong partnerships and learning processes on Climate Change and conflict between organisations was unanimous. It was therefore concluded to establish climate mediation focal points within each organisation to keep the conversation going and identify solutions collectively.

The project “European Resources for Mediation Support III” (ERMES III) enables the EU to provide assistance to conflict parties, third party mediators and groups participating in inclusive peace processes, in the context of local, national or international armed conflicts, or for preventive purposes. It does so through short-term operational support, technical assistance and capacity-building. ERMES complements the EU’s own diverse roles as a mediator, and political and financial supporter of mediation and dialogue efforts of others.

Find out more: European Resources for Mediation Support III