In 2024, the world faced its most severe challenges to peace and security since the Second World War. For the tenth consecutive year, global peace declined as violent conflicts intensified and spread. More than 120 armed conflicts currently affect countries around the world[1]https://www.icrc.org/en/article/icrc-2024-upholding-humanity-conflict. The wars in Ukraine and Gaza have either persisted or escalated, while violence continues unabated in regions such as Sudan and across the Sahel, where state fragility and non-state armed groups exacerbate instability. These conflicts, many of which are overlooked, have intensified in vulnerable states across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, becoming increasingly decentralised and complex, driving human suffering beyond the reach of international headlines.

Humanitarian needs have reached record highs. In early 2024, the global number of forcibly displaced people surpassed 120 million, highlighting the effects of protracted conflicts, climate-induced disasters, and unstable governance structures[2]https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/06/1150981. Meanwhile, extreme weather events driven by climate change are intensifying vulnerabilities in fragile settings and worsening displacement, food insecurity, and competition for resources.

Multilateral institutions—vital for international peace and security—are undergoing unprecedented strain. The erosion of international norms, escalating geopolitical competition, and the ongoing deadlock within key bodies such as the UN Security Council have constrained collaborative responses. Simultaneously, authoritarian backsliding and the shrinking of civic space are hindering inclusive conflict resolution and democratic governance across numerous regions. Furthermore, emerging technologies are reshaping the nature of violence, as cyber and digital threats exacerbate disinformation and misinformation.

In this volatile landscape, Interpeace’s mission has only become more relevant. Thirty years after its founding, Interpeace continues to distinguish itself as a uniquely positioned peacebuilding actor. Its focus on locally led conflict transformation, resilience building, and systemic change is closely aligned with the growing recognition that sustainable peace cannot be externally imposed but must emerge from within societies.

Interpeace’s commitment to local ownership, institutional partnerships, and innovation makes it a key player in assisting communities, states, and international actors in navigating increasingly complex peace and conflict dynamics. As the international system struggles to address escalating crises, Interpeace’s efforts complement global peacebuilding initiatives—supporting conflict-affected societies in designing, implementing, and maintaining their own pathways to peace.

In 2024, Interpeace achieved remarkable impacts in advancing its 2021–2025 A Resilient Peace strategy during this crucial penultimate year, with efforts focused on three key aims.

Interpeace expanded partnerships with state institutions across nine country programmes, embedding peacebuilding practices within public policies and governance frameworks. In Rwanda, collaborations with the Ministry of National Unity & Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE) and the Ministry of Health enhanced psychosocial support systems and civic education. In Somalia, Interpeace and its partners facilitated the development of national peace policies and reconciliation frameworks. Similar efforts with stakeholders in Kenya, Mali, and Yemen emphasised integrating peace outcomes into security and governance systems.

Moreover, in 2024, Interpeace and its partners intensified its efforts, particularly across five thematic areas:

• Locally Led Conflict Transformation: Empowering local actors in 12 countries to address over 558 conflicts through 163 local peace infrastructures.
• Collaborative Security: Enhancing trust between communities and security actors through 122 joint activities with security actors.
• Youth, Peace and Security: Engaging more than 18,000 young people in peacebuilding efforts.
• Economic Peacebuilding: Supporting 182 income-generating peacebuilding activities and expanding the Finance for Peace initiative.
• Peace Advocacy: Influencing seven policy processes to promote peace responsiveness across the development, humanitarian, and climate sectors.

The organisation is profoundly grateful for the dedication of its staff and partners, who tirelessly work to promote peace in increasingly complex and fragile contexts. Today, Interpeace is called upon to further strengthen its support for the communities it serves, deepen its cooperation with the international community, and intensify its efforts to advocate for peacebuilding as a crucial response to deeply entrenched violent conflicts. In this challenging and unpredictable period for peace and stability, Interpeace remains focused on enhancing the capacity of communities to manage conflict peacefully and inclusively, contributing to the global aim of fostering resilient and sustainable peace.

1. https://www.icrc.org/en/article/icrc-2024-upholding-humanity-conflict
2. https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/06/1150981
3. https://financeforpeace.org/news/finance-for-peace-launched-in-london/