ZIF Xchange: multipolarity and the future of peace mediation

The Centre for International Peace Operations (ZIF), together with Diplomacy by Networking and the Federal Foreign Office's International Diplomatic Academy, hosted a high-profile ZIF Xchange. Under the title ‘Multipolarity and the future of peace mediation - navigating change in a complex world’, representatives from around 18 embassies in Berlin and leading experts discussed the challenges and opportunities of peace mediation in a changing geopolitical landscape.

New regional powers are increasingly taking on mediation roles, while some established players are withdrawing. Peace mediation is therefore no longer limited to traditional actors, but is part of complex geopolitical dynamics. The ZIF Xchange format therefore discussed how this development is playing out in practice, how emerging actors are influencing mediation efforts and what new approaches are needed. The group was also particularly interested in the role embassies and diplomacy can play in conflict resolution.

‘Peace mediation is in a state of flux. In the face of global challenges, we need to adapt our approaches and find innovative ways to support sustainable peace processes,’ said Sebastian Dworack, head of the organising ZIF Policy, Partnerships & Innovation team.

Ultimately, there was a consensus around the table that mediation is becoming increasingly transactional, which requires new strategies to combine short-term interests with sustainable peace. The time of comprehensive peace agreements is over, according to the assessment; instead, more flexible, adaptive solutions for changing conflicts are needed. The new players in peace mediation are both a challenge and an opportunity to further develop peace processes in an innovative way. Inclusion remains essential - despite increasing fragmentation, women and civil societies must be involved in peace processes.

With our ZIF Xchange format, we create space for dialogue on key issues of peacebuilding and conflict transformation. Peace mediation is one of our focal areas - with our project ‘Strengthening mediation and dialogue capacities’, which is externally funded by the Federal Foreign Office, we are committed to further developing peace mediation and mediation support as an effective instrument of international conflict transformation and empowering more people to do so.