Ukraine

On 4 September, in response to demand from local civil society partners and at the request of UN Women Ukraine and DPPA-DPO Europe and Central Asia Division, an SBT expert provided a virtual address to the event “She Leads Ukraine – Regional Forum Resilience and Recovery: Women Lead the Frontlines” focusing on the importance of women’s participation in peace and security.

Iraq

At the request of DPPA-DPO Middle East Division and PMD Innovation Cell, in August the SBT expert specialized in climate, environment and natural resources contributed to a presentation, brainstorming discussion, and developed an options non-paper on UN-developed tools and platforms relating to water management, climate change and environmental risk analysis, to support the RC a.i., PDA and UNCT in Iraq.

Euphrates-Tigris Basin and West Asia Region

From August to September the SBT expert specialized in climate, environment and natural resources provided remote analytical and process design support to a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-facilitated dialogue project focused on country-led transboundary cooperation on environmental issues, which aims to enhance water security and climate resilience across the region, based on shared priorities identified by Ministries of Environment from several regional countries.

Angola

In July 2026, DPPA's Mediation Support Unit supported the Angolan Ministry of External Relations (MIREX) and its Diplomatic Academy in delivering the third Angolan Training on Conflict Prevention and Mediation, held in Namibe, Angola. Building on earlier UN-supported training courses in 2023 and 2024, the programme was designed as an advanced level practical course for officials from MIREX and other government institutions involved in Angola's peace and mediation efforts. Two process design experts mobilized through the Standby Team of Senior Mediation Advisers (SBT) mechanism supported its design and delivery. The training contributed to developing a broader cadre of Angolan officials able to support the country's growing regional mediation role.

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

On 11 August, a process design expert mobilized through the SBT mechanism and an MSU staff expert on security arrangements delivered presentations at the Forum on the Participation of Women in the Ceasefire Mechanism in the DRC, organized virtually by MONUSCO. It brought together 120 civil society leaders to reflect on how to strengthen the participation of women and girls from Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces in the ceasefire mechanism and broader political dialogue processes.

The process design expert facilitated a session on designing inclusive dialogues. Drawing on comparative experiences from Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, she highlighted that dialogue processes vary significantly in size and duration, but stressed that women's participation should be ensured throughout all phases, including preparation, implementation, and follow-up. She also cautioned against focusing solely on women's physical presence "around the table," underscoring the importance of complementary avenues for participation, including advocacy groups and the deployment of female experts.

The MSU staff expert facilitated a session on inclusive ceasefires, outlining different modalities through which non-signatory parties can participate in ceasefire arrangements. These included integration into formal monitoring and verification mechanisms and approaches centered on civilian protection. He illustrated these modalities with comparative examples and highlighted relevant UN normative frameworks supporting women's participation in peace processes.

Horn of Africa

An SBT expert on process design deployed to Nairobi, Kenya to participate in the 20th Dialogue on Regional Peace and Security in the Horn of Africa, hosted by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) from 1-2 October.  It brings together policymakers, academics, experts and civil society actors from the region with representatives of African and international multilateral bodies to identify emerging trends and build cooperative responses to regional security challenges. This year's edition focused on the evolving actor constellations shaping peace and security in the Horn of Africa, including how regional actors handle competing interests and demands.

Libya

In August, an SBT expert on process design contributed to a Training for Trainers on Mediation and Inclusive Peacebuilding for Libyan women, co-organized by UNSMIL and UN Women, that was held in Tunis. The training, part of the follow up to the UNSMIL-convened Structured Dialogue, sought to strengthen the meaningful participation of Libyan women in mediation, dialogue facilitation, conflict prevention, local ceasefire support and national reconciliation. The SBT expert led a session and contributed to discussions on process design, mediation, and the UN Guidance for Effective Mediation, highlighting key challenges and dilemmas based on comparative experiences. 

Madagascar

Following a 12 to 19 July joint high-level mission to Madagascar by the United Nations and the African Union, led by the SRSG and Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU), Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, and the African Union Envoy for Madagascar, Mohamed Idris Farah, MSU was requested to provide operational support to the design of a potential small-format dialogue among high-level Malagasy political figures. In response, an SBT expert in process design was deployed to Madagascar from 25 July to 10 August to support the AU presence in the country in developing options for the format, sequencing and conduct of the potential dialogue, as well as its complementarity with the broader national consultations. During the deployment, the expert engaged national stakeholders on their perspectives regarding the conditions and modalities for an inclusive political process. The deployment resulted in contributing to an AU-drafted options paper for a potential high-level dialogue, setting out possible formats and recommending confidence-building measures and approaches to promote meaningful participation.

In addition and at the request of the Climate Peace and Security Adviser in UNOAU, the SBT expert specialized in climate, environment and natural resources developed an analytical note on possible linkages between Climate Peace and Security issues and political developments, as well as potential options for UN engagement. The note formed part of a briefing package to support the above mentioned joint high-level mission of SRSG Onanga-Anyanga with the African Union to Madagascar.

Somalia

At the request of the United Nations Transitional Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), an expert on inclusion mobilized through the SBT Mechanism and an MSU staff member provided in-person and remote support respectively to a High-level Mediation workshop for Somali government officials from the federal government and from Federal Member States held on 13-14 August in Nairobi, Kenya. The initiative aimed to contribute to building the capacity of Somali government officials in the context of the drawdown of UNTMIS.

The gender expert facilitated sessions on inclusive mediation strategies and on reconciliation. As 95 per cent of the participants were men, the session on inclusive mediation practices led to intense debate around the cultural norms that impede the meaningful inclusion of women and youth decision-making at all levels of Somali society.  The session on reconciliation made reference to the Somalia National Reconciliation Framework (NRF). The NRF was developed to provide regional and national leadership in the reconciliation process, as well as provide a platform to support ongoing and new reconciliation and peacebuilding efforts in the whole of Somalia.  The MSU staff member, for her part, delivered a virtual session on mediation process design based on the UN Guidance for Effective Mediation.

Sudan

MSU continued its longstanding support to the Office of the Personal Envoy for Sudan (OPESG-Sudan), including by MSU staff experts participating in strategy sessions to help OPESG prepare specific initiatives. During the reporting period, a staff expert on security arrangements supported OPESG-Sudan in discussions to advance confidence-building measures across the country between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This support culminated in a deployment to Khartoum with OPESG-Sudan from 5 to 11 September, where the expert facilitated initial technical discussions with the SAF committee responsible for engagement on proposed detainee releases and exchanges. The expert also engaged with the ICRC to assess potential challenges and identify opportunities for progress on this confidence-building measure. The same expert further supported OPESG and UNICEF in developing a concept note for engagement with both SAF and RSF counterparts on the proposed organization of a single, nationally recognized, Grade 12 exam for Sudanese students. These efforts have contributed to sustaining technical discussions with the parties, which the Personal Envoy will use to lay the groundwork for further humanitarian and confidence-building initiatives.    

From 22 to 25 August, the Berghof Foundation convened a workshop in Addis Ababa with six Sudanese women who are associated with various political and conflict parties known as the ‘Entebbe Initiative’. The SBT expert on ceasefires and security arrangements was deployed to support technical coaching sessions aimed at strengthening the women’s capacities in negotiating security arrangements, de-escalation, and confidence-building measures. The engagement built on previous MSU support and contributed to consolidating the role of the women in the ‘Entebbe Initiative’ as credible insider mediators and influential actors in negotiating security arrangements in Sudan.

Afghanistan

MSU staff continued to support UNAMA on the Doha Process / Comprehensive Approach, by providing process design advice and support to activities related to the technical Working Groups on counternarcotics and private sector and the broader Mosaic Approach. This included participating in internal planning meetings and contributing ideas to planning documents related to the two Working Groups as well as engagements with Afghan and international stakeholders.   

Papua New Guinea

During the reporting period, consultations between the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) continued. The Independent Facilitator also continued to reflect on and discuss the work of an SBT expert on constitutional issues deployed to Port Moresby in May 2026. That mission, undertaken in support of APD and the Independent Facilitator, focused on the legal and constitutional chapter of the Melanesian Framework, a key document building on the Melanesian Agreement of June 2025 that will shape the next phase of the PNG–ABG relationship. The expert identified potential legislative pathways for the continued transfer of powers to the ABG, including options not previously under consideration, and provided comparative examples of interim, transitional and shared-powers arrangements. These recommendations informed a substantially revised draft, which the parties reviewed with support from the Independent Facilitator and the DPPA Liaison Officer based in Buka. In late August, the Framework was submitted to Parliament, together with the referendum results and the joint consultation report, with parliamentary consideration scheduled for later this year. MSU continues to follow developments closely and stands ready to provide further support as the process moves to parliamentary consideration and beyond.

Strengthening Mediation Capacity

Digital Technologies

MSU organized the third quarterly meeting of the CyberMediation Network (CMN), which took place on 2 October. The session focused on emerging technology governance and cyber policy as well as efforts to counter disinformation in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific. Pieter Pandie from CSIS Indonesia and Dr. Fitriani from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute provided inputs, drawing on their respective country and regional perspectives, followed by a discussion with CMN members on the implications of these developments for mediation and peacebuilding practice.

Youth, Peace and Security (YPS)

A Standby Team expert on ceasefires and security arrangements was deployed to Helsinki, Finland from 30 August to 4 September to support the delivery of the final segment of the Young Peace Mediators’ Training and Mentorship Program (YPMMP).  The SBT expert served as a senior resource person on ceasefire mediation, DDR and SSR and delivered a technical session that combined conceptual input, practical exercises, and interactive discussion, providing the cohort with a structured and practiceoriented introduction to security arrangements across peace processes. In addition, the expert accompanied the group throughout the week as an adviser and mentor, supporting their learning during informal exchanges, thematic discussions, and a 24hour mediation simulation. This included offering realtime guidance, sharing fieldtested insights, and providing structured feedback during the simulation debriefings, helping participants strengthen their analytical skills, negotiation approaches, and understanding of process design.

The Young Peace Mediators’ Training and Mentorship Program (YPMMP) is a flagship initiative jointly sponsored by Finland and the Republic of South Africa within the framework of their bilateral cooperation, with Interpeace serving as the implementing partner. The program aims to strengthen the meaningful participation of young people in peace and mediation processes by equipping a cohort of 15 young mediators from 15 countries with practiceready skills, exposure to institutional mediation ecosystems, and access to professional networks.

Ceasefires

The annual DPPA Women in Ceasefire course commenced on 1 September and will run for 10 weeks, concluding on 4 November. Delivered online, the course brings together 34 participants representing over 20 countries, including Afghanistan, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Colombia, DRC, Finland, Italy, Japan and Sudan. Their professional backgrounds include foreign services, think tanks, and civil society organizations. During the Course, participants deepened their knowledge of the normative foundations of ceasefire negotiations, youth and gender inclusion, inclusive monitoring and verification mechanisms, and the safety and protection of civilians. The program also features female guest speakers who, through interactive live sessions, share their field experience, challenges, and perspectives in engaging in ceasefire negotiations. The course will conclude with a practical role-play exercise, providing participants with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program. The 34 participants were selected from more than 500 applications.
 

Guidance, best practices, lessons learned, knowledge management 

Standby Team of Senior Mediation Advisors - 2026 MSU/SBT Mid-Term Review

From 14-15 September, members of the DPPA Mediation Support Unit (MSU) and the Standby Team of Senior Mediation Advisers (SBT) convened online for their annual Mid-Term Review (MTR). This meeting offered a space for MSU staff and SBT experts to reflect on support assignments to date, as well as trends and developments in the peace and security landscape. Topics discussed during the MTR included HQ-related policy updates, including the Review of Peace Operations, strategic communications as a political instrument in mediation, mediation support impact assessments as well as MSU/SBT support across different geographic contexts.

Group of Friends of Mediation

On 24 September, the Group of Friends of Mediation held its 16th Ministerial Meeting, convened on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly High-Level Week. The meeting, titled “A Broader Coalition for Peace: Strengthening Mediation through Inclusive Partnerships”, brought together representatives from 43 Member States and 6 international and regional organizations. Following the opening remarks by co-chairs, the Vice Foreign Ministers of Turkiye and Finland, Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo delivered a keynote address that had been prepared by MSU.

In her remarks, she discussed the UN both as a lead mediator in certain contexts, especially when the Security Council mandates it, and as a support to other mediators, through technical expertise on mediation and on technical issues across the UN system, as well as through the UN’s convening power. She emphasized the complementary role between the UN, regional organizations, member states and civil society mediators. She noted that the UN architecture for mediation and good offices already exists, but needs to be used more consistently and strengthened, also with support of broader coalitions. She reminded that UN’s efforts require both political support and financial resources. The participants, many of whom were represented by their Foreign Ministers and Vice Foreign Ministers, highlighted the need to prioritize mediation, with a specific focus on early diplomacy and prevention; described mediation as a team effort that needs to be based on comparative advantages and ensuring that right actors are involved and coordinate among each other; emphasized the UN’s continued centrality and the unique role it can play, especially in coordinating various mediation efforts; and called for the mediation architecture to be made more agile and flexible, supported by long-term political and financial backing.