Peace brokers and top leaders from all over the world gather for the Oslo Forum

Oslo, PicturePicture from Oslo Photo: Norway Today Media

Some of the world’s worst wars and crises are to be discussed behind closed doors when peacekeepers and top politicians gather on idyllic Losby Gods outside Oslo for the week.

 

The Oslo Forum conference is one of the foremost meeting places in the world for facilitators,peacekeepers, top politicians and other actors from peace processes and conflict resolution organisations, stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Minister, Ine Eriksen Søreide of Høyre (H), is hosting the UN Secretary General,António Guterres, Norwegian-Somali Prime Minister of Somalia, Hassan Ali Khayre,and United States Special Envoy in the fight against IS, Brett McGurk. In addition,the UN mission leader to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, and to Syria, Staffan de Mistura.

In total there are over a hundred participants, but all names are not published. Guests are exchange experiences from peace and reconciliation processes, surrounded by a golf course, forest and fields in Lørenskog.

The theme of this year’s conference is increasingly complex conflicts, where there may be many different militias and terrorist groups involved in areas with weak states and poor border controls. Part of the discussion is also war, so Yemen is considered an example.’’The End of the Big Peace? Opportunities for Mediation’’ is the title.

“We live in a world that is becoming increasingly insecure by the emergence of new threats and new power constellations. Global security, the economy and welfare can be challenged.

Working for a peaceful resolution of conflicts with the UN is to secure these interests,” said the Foreign Minister, who will have a bilateral meeting with the UN Secretary-General.

Guterres will also meet Prime Minister Erna Solberg (H) and will be taken to the palace during the visit to Norway.

© NTB scanpix / #Norway Today