ANDREAS MOTZFELDT KRAVIK | Peace and conflict resolution efforts have never been more important

The government of Norway recently presented a white paper on our global efforts for peace and conflict resolution.

For more than three decades, Norway has worked to settle conflicts and promote peace, often in countries far from our own. We are now taking stock of our commitment to promote peace and are laying the foundations for our further work. This is more necessary than ever — the world has become more dangerous and more unpredictable.

What have we achieved?

Over the past 30 years, Norway has facilitated comprehensive peace agreements in countries such as Colombia, Nepal and Guatemala. Thousands of lives have been saved. We have helped former arch-enemies to co-operate within a democratic framework.

However, comprehensive peace agreements are the exception rather than the rule. More often, the purpose of our efforts may be to ensure humanitarian access to a suffering civilian population, ceasefires or simply to facilitate communication between actors in conflict. Often, we work together with partners and other countries.

South Africa has its own experiences when it comes to the peaceful resolution of conflict in the transition from apartheid to democratic rule. Norway was one of several countries that supported the transition in South Africa, inter alia through support to the innovative Truth and Reconciliation Commission. South Africa in turn has also made peace diplomacy an important part of its foreign policy.

Norway and South Africa work together when it comes to searching for solutions to the civil wars in Sudan and South Sudan. We have a long-standing partnership to promote the role of women in mediation.

Since 1990, Norway has been involved in peace and conflict diplomacy in more than 40 countries and processes. But why should Norway get involved in international conflicts far from home? There are at least three reasons for this.

First, Norwegian security and prosperity are inextricably linked to international peace and security

Norway is a small country with vast resources and an open economy. War and conflict affect us negatively, even if they take place far away. It is therefore important for Norway's own security and prosperity that Norway can help to mitigate conflicts in the Middle East, Latin America, Africa or elsewhere.

Individual countries or regions cannot solve the climate crisis, prevent nuclear war, combat pandemics, prevent an arms race in space or prevent biological weapons from going astray.

Equally important is the world is facing several challenges that require international solutions. Individual countries or regions cannot solve the climate crisis, prevent nuclear war, combat pandemics, prevent an arms race in space or prevent biological weapons from going astray. This requires co-operation between all relevant actors, especially those who regard each other as enemies.

Norway's willingness to engage with and facilitate dialogue is therefore an important contribution to solving global challenges.

In my view, Norway's peace and conflict diplomacy has never been more important. The number of global challenges is increasing, while the international climate is characterised by mistrust and a lack of co-operation. In this respect, Norway's conflict diplomacy, including our willingness to talk to everyone, is closely linked to our support for the UN and other multilateral organisations to solve the challenges of our time.

Second, there is a moral and ethical argument in favour of conflict diplomacy. Few things cause more human suffering than war and conflict

More than 50,000 people have died in Gaza, including almost 20,000 children. In Sudan, the situation is catastrophic for hundreds of thousands of civilians. The same is true in Myanmar, Haiti and several other countries.

That some Norwegian diplomats work to mitigate conflict, ensure humanitarian access and in other ways contribute to reducing human suffering in countries affected by crisis and conflict is in line with fundamental humanitarian and moral imperatives.

Third, Norway's conflict diplomacy strengthens our relations with other countries

Norway's willingness and ability to bring different parties together and assist in finding solutions to conflicts, many of which have negative geopolitical consequences, is valued among many other counties.

Our commitment to peace has the support from leaders in Africa, Europe, Brazil, China, South Africa, the Philippines, Colombia, Mexico, India, Indonesia, US and other countries. The feedback we get is almost always the same:

Norway's commitment to peace is important and appreciated

It must also be stressed that conflict diplomacy is an extremely resource-efficient instrument. By its very nature, conflict diplomacy rarely involves a large number of diplomats, and the work is carried out discreetly, without ostentatious displays of luxury.

It has been claimed that our willingness to talk to “everyone” helps to legitimise actors who violate human rights. We have good routines in place to avoid this. We always emphasise the importance of complying with international law, and we criticise all actors who violate international obligations, though this is sometimes best done directly and discreetly and not in public.

Agreements that Norway facilitates must be in line with international law

Norway is part of a global community characterised by challenges and unpredictability. Conflicts are coming closer to us. Our neighbour Russia has become an aggressor state through its illegal invasion of Ukraine. This makes it necessary for Norway to invest more in its defence.

However, this is not enough to ensure Norwegian and global security. For the government, it is clear that our efforts for peace and conflict resolution are also an important tool to safeguard our own security.

Through the white paper, the government lays the foundation for Norway to continue and upgrade our work in this area at a time when it has never been more important. We look forward to an even stronger collaboration with South Africa in this regard.

• Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik is state secretary in the Norwegian ministry of foreign affairs

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