Geneva Peacebuilding Platform

24/06/2026

Today, the International Labour Organization, United Nations Development Programme - UNDP, the United Nations Peacebuilding and Peace Support (PBPSO-DPO), Switzerland, and Colombia together with ISDC - International Security and Development Center and the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform, organised a high-level side event on "The Road Ahead: Sustaining Peace through Decent Work" as part of in New York.

Marking ten years since the Joint ILO/UNDP/PBPSO/World Bank Statement on Jobs Aid Peace, the discussion brought together distinguished speakers and participants to reflect on how decent work can contribute to prevention, recovery, and sustainable peace.

The discussion was facilitated by the GPP's Executive Director, Dr Annyssa Bellal and included the following speakers:

▶️ Ms Beate Andrees, Assistant Director-General for the Regions and Director of the Office of the Director-General at International Labour Organization (ILO)

▶️ H.E. Valérie Berset Bircher, Ambassador and Head of International Labour Affairs, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) Switzerland

▶️ H.E. Gustavo Gallón, Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations Office at Geneva

▶️ Ms Shoko Noda, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Crisis Bureau, UN Development Programme (UNDP)

▶️ Mr Frank Hagemann, Director, Partnerships Department, International Labour Organization (ILO)

▶️ Mr Brian Williams, Chief, Peacebuilding Fund Branch, UN Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office (UN-PBPSO/DPPA-DPO)

▶️ Ms Andrea Aeby, Counselor, Peace & Security, Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN Office at Geneva

▶️ Dr Neil Ferguson, Director, Peacebuilding Research Program, International Security and Development Center (ISDC), keynote speaker.

16/06/2026

16/06/2026

As the Geneva Peace Forum Meets Vienna comes to a close, today’s final plenary on “Bridging Multilateral Ecosystems for Peace and Security” offered an important opportunity to reflect on how Geneva and Vienna-based actors, states, and partners can strengthen collaboration across the peace and security landscape.

Speakers included:

▶️ Ambassador Carl Hallergard, Head of Delegation to the International Organisations in Vienna, European Union

▶️Ambassador Salman Bal, Liaison Officer to the OSCE – The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Secretariat, Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the OSCE, the United Nations and other International Organizations in Vienna

▶️Ambassador Nathalie Chuard, Director, DCAF - Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance

▶️Ms. Elena Sokova, Executive Director, Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP)

▶️Dr. Loïc Simonet, Research Fellow, Austrian Institute for International Affairs

▶️Dr. Peter Batchelor, Special Advisor, Geneva Peacebuilding Platform

▶️Dr Annyssa Bellal, Executive Director, Geneva Peacebuilding Platform

Throughout the day, discussions highlighted the importance of overcoming institutional and thematic silos, fostering stronger partnerships, and advancing more coherent and connected multilateral engagement to address today’s complex global challenges.

🙏 We extend our sincere thanks to our co-organisers, Österreichisches Institut für internationale Politik - oiip and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, as well as to all partner organizations, speakers, moderators, participants, and everyone who contributed to making this event possible and a success.

15/06/2026

📘 2025 Activity Report is out now!

We are pleased to share the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform’s 2025 Activity Report, capturing a year of strengthened dialogue, expanded partnerships, and meaningful engagement.

Key highlights of 2025 include:
• The 12th edition of Geneva Peace Week
• Geneva Peace Week meets Addis Ababa (2nd edition)
• A wide range of events strengthening partnerships
• Sustaining and deepening the Geneva–New York connection
• Continued efforts to strengthen multilateralism
• Ongoing growth and diversification of our global network

Looking ahead, the report also highlights an important moment of transition as we prepare for 2026 and the evolution toward the Geneva Peace Forum, marking a new chapter in our convening role and community engagement.

👉 Read the full report: https://www.gpplatform.ch/en/publications/2025-activity-report

11/06/2026

Join us on 16 June at the Palais des Nations in Geneva for a high-level discussion on advancing gender equality in and through sport.

Organised by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), Qatar Sports Investments, the Qatar Olympic Committee, the State of Qatar, Qatar Foundation, the International Centre for Sport Security, and the Geneva Peace Forum & Geneva Peacebuilding Platform (GPP), this event will bring together leading voices from sport, international organisations, media, and security to explore how we can turn commitments into meaningful action.

🎤 Moderated by the GPP’s Executive Director, Dr Annyssa Bellal, the event will feature a keynote address by Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson of Qatar Foundation (QF), opening remarks from International Labour Organization Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo and FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, followed by a panel discussion with distinguished leaders from across sectors.

📍 Palais des Nations, Room XVI (Building A, 5th floor)�🕚 16 June 2026 I 11:00–12:30

The discussion will be followed by a photo exhibition and reception.

🔗 Register now: https://indico.un.org/event/1024173/

09/06/2026

08/06/2026

On the 28th May, the Geneva Peace Forum & Geneva Peacebuilding Platform (GPP) had the pleasure of co-hosting an insightful online discussion on how human rights obligations in the arms trade are reshaping risk for institutional investors with Heartland Initiative , Essex Business and Human Rights Project, and St. Mary's University. The conversation brought together leading experts to unpack a rapidly evolving risk landscape.

A few key takeaways stood out:
➡️ The scope of the “arms trade” is expanding far beyond traditional weapons systems to include dual-use technologies, financial flows, and critical infrastructure—meaning exposure may be far more widespread across investment portfolios than often assumed.

➡️ The shift from compliance-based approaches to conduct-based risk analysis is accelerating. Regulatory compliance is no longer sufficient; investors are increasingly expected to undertake ongoing, forward-looking human rights due diligence.

➡️ Human rights risks are not separate from fiduciary duty—they are central to it. Ignoring foreseeable risks in pursuit of short-term returns can undermine long-term value.

➡️ The concept of investor responsibility is dynamic: failing to act on known risks can move investors from being “linked” to harm toward actively “contributing” to it.

➡️ Data is available—but requires a broader lens. Investors need to look beyond standard ESG metrics and engage with diverse sources, including civil society and investigative research.

A big thank you to all speakers and moderator for a candid and thought-provoking exchange - Tara Van Ho, Sam Jones, Anil Yilmaz and Florence Foster ★.

👉 If you’re interested in how human rights considerations are reshaping investment risk frameworks, watch the recording or read the full read-out of the event here: https://www.gpplatform.ch/en/human-rights-obligations-in-the-arms-trade-rethinking-risk-for-institutional-investors

31/05/2026