The Hopes of the Paris Peace Forum in a World Devastated by Wars

Translated by Federico Emanuele

In a world increasingly dominated by the logic of power, where rising tensions among major powers can swiftly escalate into bloody conflicts, every opportunity for dialogue and exchange represents a fragile glimmer of hope that must not be underestimated.

As crises of all kinds unfold across the planet, from the climate emergency to the decline of democracy in certain regions and the growing risk of famine, the need emerges to place a renewed spirit of cooperation and mutual support at the heart of international relations.

In this context, the Paris Peace Forum represents an attempt to respond to current crises as well as to the deeper and longer-term causes that threaten global peace and stability. Now in its eighth edition, the French non-profit organization, founded in March 2018, dedicated this year’s conference to “New Coalitions for Peace, People, and the Planet.” Although the theme is broad, the main goal was to bring together governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector to envision shared solutions aimed at preserving the increasingly fragile climate of peace that should underpin relations among states in the international arena.

From Ukraine to the Middle East, from the ongoing civil wars in central Africa to the resurgence of authoritarian tendencies around the world, this edition focused on the need to build new alliances in a reality marked by fragmentation and conflict. Alongside panels dedicated to ending the war in Ukraine and rethinking a system for safeguarding peace in Europe, other discussions addressed ethical and moral issues such as the impact of Artificial Intelligence on employment and cybersecurity. Particular attention was also given to climate change and to the Paris Agreement, whose tenth anniversary is being marked this year.

The Role of the European Union

Among the many roundtables, the European Union’s presence was particularly noteworthy. From its inception, the EU has positioned itself as a defender of values such as democracy and the rule of law, earning the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize for its contribution to peace, reconciliation, democracy, and human rights in Europe. The European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments organized a high-level panel titled “Protecting Against Authoritarian Censorship: Resilience, Legitimacy, and Global Norms.” The EU’s participation reflects its broader commitment to preserving peace and defending fundamental values, partly through strengthening multilateral dialogue, which the Paris Peace Forum itself seeks to promote.

More specifically, the panel promoted by the European Union focused on media freedom and the crucial role the media play in protecting societies from censorship and disinformation. This is a topic that carries particular importance for European institutions, as evidenced by the recent adoption of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), designed to safeguard press freedom, independence, and pluralism, and to protect journalists from any attempt at interference or surveillance.

At a time when the international system is under severe strain and its stability increasingly uncertain, the Paris Peace Forum stands as an important effort to rebuild trust, as well as the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect that many hope will once again serve to strengthen relationships among states worldwide.

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