ISLAMABAD (TDI): On November 11th, the seventh edition of the Paris Peace Forum got underway with the urgent theme of “Reducing the North-South Divide: The Paris Pact for People and the Planet & Global Institution Reform.”
Leaders from the commercial and nonprofit sectors, academics, professionals, and global leaders arrive together at this prestigious event to debate about the immediate requirement for a more welcoming and equitable international system.
Prominent experts, including the former president of the United Nations General Assembly, María Fernanda Espinosa; the secretary-general of UNCTAD and former vice president of Costa Rica, Rebeca Grynspan took part in the session.
Moreover, the French foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot; the president of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar; the co-founder of GWL Voices; and the former foreign minister of Argentina, Susana Malcorra, convened.
The event focuses on four primary areas: peace, geopolitics, and multilateralism; inequalities and sustainable development goals; climate and environment; and the digital world.
Leaders & experts at the #PPF24 will focus on 4 themes:
🌱 Environment & Climate
⚖️ Inequalities & SDGs
💻 Digital World
🕊️ Peace, Geopolitics & Multilateralism.
Join us for insightful discussions shaping global governance.#PPF2024 pic.twitter.com/K2XUYsI5pE— Paris Peace Forum (@ParisPeaceForum) November 11, 2024
Key takeaways of the event are:
Peace, Geopolitics, and Multilateralism:
The Paris Peace Forum’s panel of experts ponders the crucial topic of multilateralism and geopolitics.
They are concerned that as global wars escalate, geopolitical polarization undermines collective governance frameworks, and democracies face internal challenges from populism.
The sessions analyzed rising competition among global powers and protracted conflicts in the Middle East, North Africa, and Eurasia.
Read More: Wanted by the Paris Peace Forum: “A Functioning Global Order”
Possible changes in foreign policy and multilateral obligations under President Donald Trump’s administration were also discussed.
Panelists reaffirmed their invincible support for Ukraine and discussed the need for cease-fires in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as the actualization of the two-state solution.
A few days after visiting the #MiddleEast, @jnbarrot recalled at the Paris Peace Forum:
➡️ the need for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon,
➡️ 🇫🇷’s sustained efforts to achieve the implementation of the two-state solution.#PPF2024 https://t.co/5t1zmwJUoz— France Diplomacy 🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@francediplo_EN) November 12, 2024
The first French-American debate on combating anti-Semitism was also held side by side.
❝First French-American dialogue on combatting anti-Semitism, on the sidelines of the @ParisPeaceForum, with the support of Presidents @EmmanuelMacron and @JoeBiden. Exchange of best practices and creation of an ambitious roadmap. With @deborahlipstadt.@francediplo_en… https://t.co/v1VrdvV6HM
— France Diplomacy 🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@francediplo_EN) November 13, 2024
Inequalities and Sustainable Development Goals:
The second issue addressed during the Paris Peace Forum was “Inequalities and Sustainable Development Goals.”
Izabella Teixeira, Co-Chairperson of the International Resource Panel, emphasized the necessity of regional collaboration in the battle against poverty and for sustainable development, underscoring the Global South’s unity in this effort.
UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan expanded on this idea, calling for reforms to encourage private investment in developing countries.
According to Grynspan, prospective growth is hampered by private investors’ frequent perception of these nations as extremely dangerous.
In order to alleviate this, she suggested that the multilateral development system step in to lower risks and give these areas additional long-term funding.
@Rgrynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD and former Vice-President of Costa Rica, advocates for strengthening the United Nations by restoring trust and upholding international law. #PPF2024 pic.twitter.com/EV3PHNBZNn
— Paris Peace Forum (@ParisPeaceForum) November 11, 2024
Climate and environment:
At the Paris Peace Forum, climate activists Nataša Pirc Musar and Youba Sokona emphasized the need for cooperation in overcoming the climate catastrophe.
“Are we sufficiently united? Natasa asked, “Are we making enough investments in a better, greener, and sustainable planet?” “The answer today is no.”
@nmusar underscores the importance of solidarity: “Do we have enough solidarity ? Are we investing enough into a better planet, greener planet, sustainable planet? The answer today is no.” She calls for leaders to act as statespeople, not just politicians. #PPF2024” pic.twitter.com/PILb0DREnn
— Paris Peace Forum (@ParisPeaceForum) November 11, 2024
She urged leaders to act as global stewards rather than merely politicians, prioritizing the well-being of people over their own political objectives.
Read More: Paris Peace Forum to commence tomorrow
Digital world:
The Digital World was another topic covered during the Paris Peace Forum.
The panelists examined how developing technologies especially artificial intelligence (AI), present both potential and difficulties, as well as how they affect global governance.
Additionally, experts convened to investigate whether new frameworks such as the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact may assist rebuild faith in the UN system.
The future of AI access equity and bridging the global divide were the subject matter of a high-level panel.
A high-level panel tackles the future of AI access equity and bridging the global divide, led by French Minister @jnbarrot and Amini AI Founder @KateKallot. #PPF2024 pic.twitter.com/ustq66jfrb
— Paris Peace Forum (@ParisPeaceForum) November 11, 2024
Key Proposals for UN Reform:
After the talk about using a multilateral strategy to address today’s global issues, the focus shifted to UN reform.
French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, advocates for reforming the UN Security Council to promote global solidarity and territorial integrity.
He advocates for enlargement, veto policy reform, strengthening multilateralism, and transparency in multilateral decisions.
👉 @jnbarrot “We need a reform of the security council of the UN so that when the security council speaks then the entire world is speaking and therefore the entire world is listening. ” #PPF2024 pic.twitter.com/ZBlCXrpFOM
— Paris Peace Forum (@ParisPeaceForum) November 11, 2024
Other leaders like Slovenian President, UNCTAD Secretary-General, and former Argentine Foreign Minister also emphasize the importance of global cooperation, a Pact for the Future, and multilateralism.
Furthermore, the president of the Crisis Group, calls for a realistic approach to addressing these challenges.
Positive Prospects:
A spirit of urgency and optimism was sparked by the recent session of Paris Peace Forum.
The forum’s outcomes show that substantial progress can be made by collective action, giving hope for a better future.
