No: 317, 30 October 2019, Press Release Regarding the Mediation Conferences in Istanbul

As one of the main elements of Enterprising and Humanitarian foreign policy, Turkey has been convening mediation conferences to raise awareness and build capacity for mediation.

In this context, the 6th Istanbul Mediation Conference will be held on 31 October 2019 under the theme of “International Peace Mediation: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead” with the participation of H.E. Mr. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, the UN Secretary General H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres, and the members of the UN Secretary General’s High-Level Advisory Board on Mediation (HLAB).

Following the opening speeches by H.E. the Minister and the UN Secretary General, the Conference will comprise sessions that will discuss the role of regional and international organisations in the field of mediation and strenghtening avenues of cooperation among them; various main aspects of the practice of mediation with the participation of the members of the HLAB; as well as the connection between emerging technologies and peace efforts.

On 1 November 2019, the 3rd OIC Member States Conference on Mediation will also convene in Istanbul. At a time when some 60% of conflicts worldwide are taking place in OIC geography, this Conference will focus on effective mediation approaches and the preparations for a code of conduct on culturally sensitive mediation.

It is expected that these two events will help reinforce efforts to raise awareness on peace mediation in which Turkey plays a vanguard role.

All updates regarding the two conferences can be followed at www.istanbulmediation.org. The sessions will be broadcast live on our Ministry’s YouTube channel.

UN Secretary General Guterres, during his visit to Turkey on the occasion of the Conference, is expected to be received by H.E. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and meet with H.E. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, and also visit the UN Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries, hosted by Turkey in TÜBİTAK Gebze campus.