As the inaugural civil society co-chair, Interpeace played a key convening and facilitative role in shaping the vision, structure, and implementation of the Dialogue. We worked closely with the UN and diverse civil society partners to build a platform that is inclusive, transparent, and responsive to the needs of peacebuilders, particularly those working in underrepresented and conflict-affected contexts. This included co-designing a multi-phase consultation process, anchored by two annual in-person meetings at UN Headquarters in New York, and engaging civil society actors from five regions. Interpeace also supported the facilitation of thematic dialogues held as part of these global gatherings, focusing on key issues such as financing for peacebuilding, gender-responsive approaches, civil society participation in UN processes, and the youth, peace and security agenda. Throughout, we worked to ensure that the priorities of local peacebuilders were meaningfully reflected in global policy discussions. In parallel, together with our Core Group partners, Interpeace helped strengthen linkages between civil society, UN entities, and Member States—laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and institutionalised approach to civil society engagement within the UN’s peacebuilding architecture.

As part of this engagement, the CSO–UN Dialogue Initiative on Peacebuilding has convened two annual in-person meetings at UN Headquarters in New York, bringing together civil society actors, UN entities, and Member States. The Initiative also co-organised a high-level session at the Nairobi Civil Society Conference on how to operationalise the Pact for the Future through a 2025 UN Peacebuilding Architecture that is fit for purpose. In addition, Core Group members and partners have briefed the UN Peacebuilding Commission, ensuring that civil society perspectives are directly reflected in intergovernmental deliberations. The third annual Dialogue will take place in Geneva on 10–11 December 2025.

CSO Core Group Members