Notice to the press
Geneva, Switzerland
12 June 2013
Oslo Forum annual meeting of armed conflict mediators and peace process actors
The 2013 Oslo Forum, the annual international meeting of armed conflict mediators and peace process actors, will take place on 18-19 June 2013 in Oslo, Norway.
Organised jointly by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD Centre), a private diplomacy and mediation organisation, the Oslo Forum (www.osloforum.org) brings together senior conflict mediators, major actors in peace processes, key decision makers and eminent thinkers from across the globe. The event represents a unique opportunity for participants to share their experiences of mediation and peacemaking, reflect on current dialogue and peace processes, and strengthen the practice of conflict mediation.
More than 140 individuals will attend the 2013 edition of the Oslo Forum including Espen Barth Eide, Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs; Antônio de Aguiar Patriota, Brazil’s Minister of External Relations; U Khin Yi, Myanmar’s Minister of Immigration and Population; Djibril Bassolé, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation; Mohamed Bazoum, Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration, and Nigeriens Abroad; Lakhdar Brahimi, Joint Special Representative for Syria of the United Nations and the League of Arab States; Jeffrey Feltman, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs; Louise Arbour, President of the International Crisis Group; Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles, Adviser to the President of the Philippines on the Peace Process; and Haytham Manna, Head of the National Coordination Body for Democratic Change in Syria.
In addition to the high-level opening plenary session which will focus on contemporary approaches to conflict resolution and mediation, the 2013 edition of the Oslo Forum will feature discussions and roundtable sessions on the following topics:
• Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis and find a political solution in Syria: how might the international deadlock over Syria be overcome?
• The Sahel region: how should regional and international stakeholders co-ordinate to address a multilayered regional conflict that is fuelled, among other things, by terrorism, poor governance, land disputes, transnational crime and food insecurity?
• How should armed groups, civil society and community representatives be involved in efforts to mediate peace in Mali?
• The mediation of criminal violence: can mediators focused on traditional forms of armed conflict play a role, in the Americas and beyond, in addressing criminal violence?
• Faith-based peacemaking: what is the role of religious figures and institutions in preventing and stopping conflicts?
• Somalia: what is the relationship between the new Government and regional entities? What are the prospects for national reconciliation?
• Myanmar: what are the prospects for a broad political settlement with the country’s ethnic groups, and how should inter-communal violence be addressed?
• Situation reports on current conflict situations and peace processes including on transitional justice dilemmas in Colombia.
The Oslo Forum series began in 2003, and regularly convenes regional retreats, as well as the main annual event in Norway each June. This year’s Forum will mark the 10th anniversary of the series.
Attendance at the Oslo Forum is by invitation only. The Chatham House Rule applies to the meeting. However, interviews may be arranged with participants on request.
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For more information on the Oslo forum or on the HD Centre, or to arrange an interview, please contact Ms Flore Brannon by email pr@hdcentre.org, or by phone: +41 (0)22 908 11 30.
Media enquiries to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs can be made by email: media@mfa.no or by phone: +47 23 95 00 02.
Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue
114 rue de Lausanne | 1202 Geneva | Switzerland
http://www.hdcentre.org
The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (the HD Centre) is an independent private diplomacy organisation founded on the principles of humanity, impartiality, independence and discretion. Its mission is to help prevent, mitigate and resolve armed conflict through dialogue and mediation. The HD Centre opens channels of communication and mediates between parties in conflict, facilitates dialogue, and provides support to the broader mediation and peacebuilding community. The organisation deploys its expertise to support local and nationally owned processes that protect civilians and foster lasting and just peace
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