MFA: Mediation at centre of UN peacemaking

MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
http://formin.finland.fi/english

Press release 219/2015
1 October2015

Mediation at centre of UN peacemaking

Finland hosted the sixth meeting of the Group of Friends of Mediation in New York on 1 October 2015. The main theme of the meeting was the report of the High-level Independent Panel on UN Peace Operations, which was chaired by former President of East Timor Jose Ramos-Horta, relating to UN peace operations and the related recommendations on mediation. This is the first time, that conflict prevention and mediation takes centre stage in a UN peace operations review.  It is partly due to the changes in the global politics but also due to the long-term work led by Finland and Turkey. The report provides an excellent foundation for further work by the Group of Friends for strengthening mediation efforts globally.

The meeting was chaired by the Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini and his Turkish colleague Feridun Sinirlioğlu. The meeting was attended by representatives from 38 member states and organisations of the group. The participants OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier, African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security Smail Chergui, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman and Jose Ramos-Horta. Foreign Minister Soini’s Special Representative on mediation Pekka Haavisto also attended the meeting.

Foreign Ministers Soini and Sinirlioğlu said that the role of women in peace negotiations must be strengthened.  Moreover, Soini highlighted the significance of the civil society in mediation.

On 2 October, Finland will host a parallel event in New York relating to religious sectarianism.  The event co-hosted by the United States, Spain and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation will discuss the role of religious leaders in mediation.

Inquiries: Raili Lahnalampi, Chief of Foreign Minister Soini's Cabinet, tel. +358 50 550 7546 and Katri Viinikka, Head of Unit, tel. +358 40 753 2730.