Türkiye plans to hold the ninth Istanbul Mediation Conference on Oct. 23-24 to discuss how diplomacy and mediation can help prevent conflict, Anadolu Agency reported, citing the Foreign Ministry.
The meeting will be held under the auspices of Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The announced program includes discussions of partnerships and new approaches to mediation as global conditions change.
Türkiye and Finland launched the “Mediation for Peace” initiative at the United Nations in 2010, according to the ministry. The first Istanbul conference followed in 2012.
The ministry says Türkiye is the only country that simultaneously co-chairs the Group of Friends of Mediation at the United Nations, the Group of Friends of Mediation at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the Contact Group of Friends of Mediation at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The conference’s opening panels will examine ways to give diplomacy more room and strengthen mediation’s role in preventing conflict. Later sessions are expected to cover countries’ mediation experiences, humanitarian efforts during conflicts and the transition from prevention to sustainable peace. The discussions will draw on the expertise of diplomats, international organizations, academics, specialists and think tanks, the ministry said.
The two-day conference is scheduled to begin Oct. 23.
