Focus must be on diplomacy to avoid the roots of conflict
Middle East countries must invest in and focus on diplomacy if they are to prevent future conflicts, experts say.
Sigrid Kaag, the UN Special Co-ordinator for Lebanon, said that diplomacy was key to ending the “tremendous human suffering” caused by conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya.
Talking at online forum Debating Security Plus, moderated by the Abu Dhabi counter-extremism think tank Hedayah, Ms Kaag on Tuesday said: “The root causes of conflict need to be addressed to establish and sustain peace, and work towards sustainable development.
“We need to shift from response to prevention and all member states have a role to play, with a big opportunity also for the UAE.
“More investment in mediation and facilitation is needed, as well as enhanced leadership, resources and partnerships. Our focus needs to be on inclusive dialogue and solutions need to be comprehensive.”
She said realigning security and development was a hot topic at the UN, and that a move towards preventative dialogue was necessary.
“We are struggling with ways to achieve prevention and it is also a focus of our new UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, to establish a surge for peace,” Ms Kaag said.
“In a world of growing complexity, asymmetrical conflict and with regional components, we must address this and be better equipped to look at prevention with a firm focus on human rights.”
She said the instability in many areas of the Middle East, exacerbated by the uprisings of 2011, was increasing security threats, but conflict prevention was not solely about peace and security. It also related to good governance, human rights, inclusive development and social cohesion.
“All forms of violence need to be addressed, including gender-based violence,” Ms Kaag said. “Addressing inequalities, strengthened institutions and ensuring that development strategies are risk-informed are central to preventing the unravelling of a social fabric.
“The effectiveness of our prevention and future responses depends on the alliances we can build with governments, civil society, the private sector and regional and international partners. Above all, it is always about people.”
Bert Koenders, the Dutch foreign minister, said preventing conflicts and crises was always better than curing them.
“It’s not easy,” Mr Koenders said. “It requires a complex mix of addressing the root causes of conflict. Mr Guterres rightly stated that prevention is not merely a priority, it is the priority.”
Weak economies, low employment, inadequate education and lack of access to services were said to be some of the root causes of conflict.
“In these conditions political agreements are needed, not only to support a peace settlement and make it work but also to address the underlying under-developed,” Mr Koenders said. “The real solution can only be political. Many actors have a role to play here, not just the parties concerned but the whole international community.”