More than 350 speakers are expected at the November 10- 11 gathering in Paris, where discussions will address geopolitical tensions, emerging technologies, sustainable development and the protection of children. Associated thematic events will continue across the French capital through November 12.
The ninth edition of the Paris Peace Forum will open on Tuesday, November 10, bringing together governments, international organizations, civil society groups and private sector representatives to examine new approaches to international cooperation amid growing geopolitical, technological and environmental challenges.
The two- day gathering will take place at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris, France, under the theme “From Sovereignty to Cooperation.” More than 350 speakers are expected to participate in 80 sessions covering four major areas: peace and geopolitics, emerging technologies, development and the planet.
The 2026 edition will also feature the first dedicated Child Summit to be hosted as part of the Forum. A wider programme of thematic events, organized by the Forum and its partners at different locations across Paris, will extend activities beyond the main sessions, with events scheduled through November 12.
Cooperation amid a changing international order
The Forum’s central theme addresses the growing tension between the pursuit of national sovereignty by countries and their dependence on international partnerships to manage shared challenges.
Its organizers argue that the rising cost of living, climate disruption, cyberattacks and the potential impact of artificial intelligence on employment reflect wider global problems that individual countries cannot resolve independently.
The Forum is therefore expected to examine how governments can protect their strategic interests while strengthening cooperation in areas such as supply chains, technological development, crisis response and sustainable growth.
The programme includes discussions on rebuilding societies after war, the future of human rights, European sovereignty, peace mediation and the role of young people in preserving peace. Other sessions will address artificial intelligence governance, cybersecurity, mineral resources, climate resilience, food security and the growing challenge of disinformation.
Among the scheduled discussions are “Is Another AI Possible? Building an Alternative Stack Through North- South Cooperation” on November 10, and “Checks and Balances for the AI Age: The Next Phase of AI Governance” on November 11. The geopolitical agenda will also include sessions on the conflict in Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine and the future of European security.
The discussions will take place against the backdrop of France’s G7 Presidency, with several sessions and initiatives reflecting priorities linked to international security, development financing, technological governance and global partnerships.
Child Summit places children’s future on the international agenda
Child well being will be a defining priority of this year’s Forum, with the dedicated Child Summit expected to bring together heads of state and government, international organizations, civil society groups, and public and private sector representatives.
The initiative will focus on the challenges facing children and adolescents, particularly the effects of new technologies and reductions in development assistance. Participants are expected to launch three initiatives to strengthen support for children and address the risks affecting their development and wellbeing. The Summit’s priorities will span maternal and child health, nutrition, education, protection, and psychosocial and mental wellbeing, including the challenges associated with growing up in an increasingly digital environment.
Artificial intelligence, social media and algorithm- driven platforms will feature prominently in the discussions. The programme will try to examine how digital environments affect children’s development, access to opportunities, safety and mental wellbeing, while considering the responsibilities of governments, technology companies and other stakeholders.
Other sessions will address child nutrition and survival, access to healthcare, education in the age of artificial intelligence, and the protection of children displaced by conflict.
Eléonore Caroit, France’s Minister Delegate to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, responsible for Francophonie, International Partnerships and French Nationals Abroad, said the initiative reflects the importance of placing children at the centre of national and international priorities.
“Making children’s protection, education and well- being a priority means preparing our societies for tomorrow. France is at the forefront of this effort, working to put children at the heart of both national and international efforts. I am happy that, for the first time, a dedicated Child Summit will be hosted as part of the Paris Peace Forum in November,” Caroit said.
The Summit is also aligned with France’s wider G7 agenda, particularly efforts to strengthen international cooperation on child protection, improve access to education and healthcare, and address risks associated with children’s exposure to digital technologies.
Forty projects selected to showcase practical solutions
Beyond the policy discussions, the Forum will provide a platform for initiatives working to address global challenges through practical, multi- stakeholder solutions.
Forty projects have been selected for the 2026 edition’s Space for Solutions, following a process that attracted 607 applications from more than 90 countries. The selected initiatives cover eight thematic areas across climate and the environment, development and health, peace and security, and new technologies.
The projects address issues including responsible mineral supply chains, plastic pollution, climate adaptation, agricultural innovation, child health and nutrition, information integrity, essential services in conflict settings, and equitable access to artificial intelligence skills.
According to the Forum’s selection figures, 68% of the projects are from the Global South, while 32% are from the Global North. The selection includes initiatives from different regions and organizations working at community, national and international levels.
Among the projects is Scaling Entrepreneur- Led Livestock Health Systems for Smallholder Resilience in Nigeria, which focuses on strengthening livestock health systems for smallholder farmers. Other selected initiatives include AgriKonnekt, which seeks to improve smallholder farmers’ access to climate finance in sub- Saharan Africa, and projects focused on climate- resilient farming in West Africa.
The Forum’s Solutions Hub has supported nearly 600 projects since its establishment, reflecting its emphasis on connecting initiatives with the partnerships, expertise and visibility needed to achieve wider impact.
Leadership transition ahead of the ninth edition
The 2026 gathering will be the first edition under the leadership of Franck Paris, who was unanimously elected Director General by the Forum’s Executive Committee in August, succeeding Justin Vaïssé.
Paris is a career diplomat with more than two decades of experience in diplomacy, security and international cooperation. He previously served as political adviser at France’s Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels and as adviser to the Minister of Defense for Europe and Africa. From 2017 to 2023, he served as adviser to the French President on African affairs before becoming Director of the French Office in Taipei in 2023.
Justin Vaisse, the Forum’s founder and first president, had served as Director General since 2019. He is returning to academia while taking up the role of chair of the organization’s new Endowment Fund, which is tasked with supporting its long- term financial sustainability.
Thematic events to continue through November 12
Although the main Forum sessions will take place on November 10 and 11, related events organized with partner institutions will continue across Paris through November 12.
The additional programme will extend discussions on water and ocean governance, artificial intelligence safety, youth participation, child protection and international cooperation.
Established in 2018, the Paris Peace Forum was founded on the belief that global challenges require new forms of collective action that complement the work of multilateral institutions. Its ninth edition will continue that mandate by bringing together different actors to consider how cooperation can be strengthened in a period of geopolitical uncertainty, technological disruption and growing pressure on global development systems.
Written by Dr. Florence Omiakin
