The 7th Paris Peace Forum brought together leaders, decision-makers, and peace activists in the historic Palais de Chaillot, a symbol of optimism.
The Forum, themed « Wanted: A Functioning Global Order, » addressed the pressing need for international cooperation in an increasingly polarised and divided world. This year’s gathering took place against the backdrop of seismic global events, such as Donald Trump’s election as President of the United States and the upcoming G20 summit in Rio, putting the Forum at the heart of vital global discourse.
A Platform for Critical Dialogue
Since its establishment in 2018, the Paris Peace Forum has established itself as an important platform for debating and resolving major global concerns. The 2024 edition focused on four major themes: peace, inequality, climate and environment, and digital governance. With more than 60 creative initiatives presented, the Forum once again demonstrated its position as a catalyst for collaborative solutions to global concerns.
The Forum’s fundamental goal was to reestablish confidence and develop conversation while also addressing the growth in global crises and the unraveling of multilateral organizations. From the crisis in Ukraine to the mounting humanitarian issues in Sudan, the discussions were both urgent and difficult.
Peace and Geopolitics: The Ukraine Crisis Takes Center Stage
Few topics conveyed the Forum’s urgency as those focused on Ukraine. With Europe’s security and the global democratic system at stake, panelists emphasized the vital necessity for ongoing international assistance. Alexandra Maduk, a Ukrainian human rights lawyer, presented a passionate opening remark, underlining that Ukraine’s fight is larger than its boundaries, representing a global struggle for democratic values.
Maduk warned that a successful Russia would strengthen authoritarian regimes around the world, advocating for justice as a condition for peace. Finnish Foreign Minister Elonen backed her sentiment, citing his country’s previous tensions with Russia. He warned against any compromises on Ukraine’s sovereignty, emphasizing the risks of accommodating aggressors in a world ruled by a weak rules-based system.
The panel also highlighted Europe’s commitment to Ukraine, as expressed by European Commission member Peter Wagner. Wagner detailed the EU’s long-term policy, which goes beyond military funding to include food and energy security, reconstruction initiatives, and stronger cooperation with European institutions. Despite the uncertainties surrounding US funding under Trump’s leadership, Wagner remained hopeful about Europe’s ability to keep its promises.
The Disinformation Challenge
The widespread impact of misinformation, especially in influencing public opinion and undermining confidence in democratic institutions, was a recurrent subject throughout the Forum. Experts from Finland and Ukraine, two countries with vast experience fighting misinformation attacks, exchanged resilience tactics. These hybrid strategies, which range from cyberattacks to disinformation operations, are becoming a major element of contemporary conflicts, highlighting the necessity of a coordinated global response.
The Finnish Foreign Minister emphasized that freedom of choice and self-determination continue to be fundamental democratic values while highlighting the damaging impact of misinformation on social cohesiveness. Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, denounced Russia’s wider cultural and identity-based attacks as part of a genocidal plan and issued a warning.
Sudan’s Silent Tragedy
The Forum brought much-needed attention to Sudan, where a catastrophic conflict has uprooted over 13 million people and driven 25 million to the verge of hunger, even as Ukraine dominated headlines. In a somber speech, Mo Ibrahim, the founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, criticized the lack of strong action from the international community.
Ibrahim urged a strong African-led United Nations-backed peacekeeping force to guard humanitarian relief corridors and bring security back. He cautioned that if action is not taken right once, Sudan could plunge into even more anarchy, which would have catastrophic regional and international ramifications. Ibrahim’s request that the UN Security Council implement financial sanctions and arms embargoes in order to stop the carnage was echoed in the panel’s talks.
The Climate and Digital Frontiers
The Forum examined issues in climate governance and the digital realm in addition to geopolitics. Discussions on topics ranging from ethical foundations for artificial intelligence to cross-border environmental cooperation revealed a growing consensus that these areas need immediate multilateral action.
Ten outstanding projects were highlighted by the Forum’s Scale-Up Program, including efforts to use AI to combat climate change and promote regional cooperation on water management. The initiative seeks to increase the influence of these projects on global governance by offering resources for capacity-building and mentorship.
The Shadow of U.S. Isolationism
The uncertainty surrounding America’s return to a Trump government was a major undercurrent that ran through the Forum. Recalling the turmoil of Trump’s first term, panelists discussed the ramifications for NATO, European security, and international economic relations. The possible strain on transatlantic ties and the repercussions on global governance systems were cited as causes for concern.
In order to survive in a multipolar world, speakers underlined that Europe needs to fortify its internal systems. This entails strengthening internal cohesion and lowering reliance on US leadership, especially when it comes to dealing with trade and security issues.
A Vision for a Functioning Global Order
The Paris Peace Forum closed with a demand for stronger multilateral efforts to repair a fragmented global order. Geopolitical conflicts, climate change, and digital governance are all frightening obstacles, but teamwork and shared commitment are the solutions.
Written by Dr. Florence Omisakin.
