Int’l peace mediators to meet in Norway

Conflict mediators from all over the world will again meet at the annual Oslo Forum to exchange experience in the capital of Norway on June 24-26, according to reports reaching here from Oslo Saturday.

This year’s peace mediators’ retreat will focus on dialogue and new opportunities for and perspectives on negotiations, the Norwegian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

There will be around 100 participants, including Mohammad Khatami, former President of Iran, Jonathan Powell, former Chief of Staff to Tony Blair, Gareth Evans, President of the International Crisis Group, Lord Malloch Brown, British Minister for Africa, Asia and the U.N., and Pampha Bhusal, Maoist and Government Minister in Nepal.

The Oslo Forum, arranged by the Norwegian Foreign Ministry in cooperation with the Geneva-based organization Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, has taken place every year since 2003.

It brings together peace mediators and key personnel from peace processes all over the world, including the Middle East, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Somalia.

Xinhua