By M.S.Tariq Usmani
Executive Editor & President Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists.
The Paris Peace Forum 2025, held from October 29 to 30 at Musée de l’Homme (Palais de Chaillot) in Paris, France, convened global leaders, policymakers, civil society organizations, and journalists to address critical challenges facing the world. This year’s forum, themed “New Coalitions for Peace, people, and the planet”, provided a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and the advancement of concrete solutions to foster peace and cooperation.
The forum served as a platform for international leaders to address pressing global challenges. It emphasized the need for collective action and cooperation to promote peace, address humanitarian crises, and ensure a sustainable future. The forum’s commitment to supporting projects and fostering dialogue underscores its role in driving positive change on a global scale.
The agenda of the forum was packed with a diverse range of sessions, workshops, and high-level discussions. Key topics included:
* Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability: Discussions centered on accelerating the implementation of the Paris Agreement, promoting green technologies, and financing climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
* Digital Governance and Cybersecurity: Experts explored the challenges of regulating the digital space, combating disinformation, and ensuring cybersecurity while upholding human rights and democratic values.
* Global Health and Pandemic Preparedness: The forum addressed lessons learned from the recent pandemic, emphasizing the need for strengthening global health systems, equitable vaccine distribution, and early warning systems.
* Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding: Participants discussed strategies for preventing and resolving conflicts, promoting inclusive governance, and supporting peace processes in various regions.
The Paris Peace Forum 2025 yielded several significant outcomes, demonstrating its impact on global cooperation and progress. Firstly, there was a noticeable strengthening of international partnerships, with countries and organizations coming together to address shared challenges. Secondly, the forum facilitated the launch of new initiatives and projects aimed at promoting peace, sustainability, and development. Thirdly, it provided a platform for the exchange of innovative ideas and best practices, fostering learning and collaboration among participants. Finally, the event led to concrete commitments and pledges from governments and organizations, driving tangible progress in various areas.
At the Paris Peace Forum 2025, a significant emphasis was placed on commitments to climate action. Governments and various organizations pledged increased financial support for climate initiatives, signaling a growing global dedication to addressing climate change. Many entities set ambitious targets for reducing emissions, demonstrating a proactive approach to mitigating the effects of global warming. Furthermore, there were firm commitments to phasing out fossil fuels, reflecting a shift towards sustainable energy sources and a concerted effort to transition away from practices that contribute to environmental degradation.
A crucial outcome of the Paris Peace Forum 2025 was the advancement of digital governance frameworks. Discussions and collaborations at the forum resulted in the development of new guidelines and frameworks designed to shape the digital landscape. These initiatives focused on regulating artificial intelligence to ensure responsible development and deployment. Simultaneously, there was a strong emphasis on protecting data privacy, recognizing the importance of safeguarding individuals’ information in an increasingly digital world. Furthermore, the forum addressed the urgent need to combat online hate speech, seeking to create a safer and more inclusive online environment.
One of the key achievements of the Paris Peace Forum 2025 was the strengthening of global health partnerships. Participants reached a consensus on the need to enhance collaboration in several critical areas. They agreed to bolster pandemic preparedness efforts, recognizing the importance of being ready for future health crises. There was also a commitment to improving early warning systems, enabling quicker detection and response to potential outbreaks. Moreover, the forum emphasized the need to ensure equitable access to vaccines and medical supplies, highlighting the importance of global solidarity in safeguarding public health.
The Paris Peace Forum 2025 played a significant role in supporting peace processes worldwide. The forum served as a valuable platform for ongoing peace negotiations, offering a space for dialogue and diplomacy. It facilitated discussions between conflicting parties, encouraging them to find common ground and work towards peaceful resolutions. Moreover, the event was instrumental in mobilizing resources for peacebuilding efforts, providing financial and technical support to initiatives aimed at promoting stability and reconciliation in conflict-affected regions.
The 2025 Paris Peace Forum, held from October 29-30, brought together a diverse group of high-level participants. The event was attended by prominent heads of state and government, including Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, and John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana. Other key figures present were Maia Sandu, President of Moldova, Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of Armenia, and Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania. In addition to these leaders, the forum welcomed other high-profile individuals, such as former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley. The forum’s attendees represented a wide array of sectors, including governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector, all coming together from across the globe.
President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron delivered a powerful address, emphasizing the importance of multilateralism, international cooperation and solidarity. The President highlighted the urgency of addressing global challenges and called for collective action to build a more peaceful, sustainable and equitable world. The speech set a tone of optimism and determination, underscoring France’s commitment to global leadership and diplomacy.
President Emmanuel Macron, during the Paris Peace Forum 2025, emphasized the urgency of climate action on the 10th anniversary of the Paris Climate Accords. He highlighted two crucial international battles on combating methane emissions and phasing out coal, “At the international level, there are two key battles: the battles against methane and the battle against coal”, Macron’s remarks underscored France’s commitment to leading decisive efforts in these areas.
The Venue, Palais de Chaillot, provided an impressive setting for the forum. The atmosphere was vibrant and engaging, fostering lively discussions and networking opportunities. The event was well-organized, with seamless logistics and excellent facilities. The presence of prominent figures from various sectors, including heads of state, UN officials, business leaders, and civil society representatives, underscored the forum’s significance and influence.
The Paris Peace Forum 2025 was a resounding success, providing a crucial platform for addressing pressing global challenges and fostering international cooperation. The forum’s outcomes, including commitments to climate action, digital governance frameworks, strengthened global health partnerships, and support for peace processes, demonstrated the power of dialogue and collaboration. As the world faces complex and interconnected challenges, the Paris Peace Forum continues to play a vital role in shaping a more peaceful, sustainable and equitable future.
A crucial outcome of the Paris Peace Forum 2025 was the advancement of digital governance frameworks. These initiatives focused on regulating artificial intelligence to ensure responsible development and deployment. Simultaneously, there was a strong emphasis on protecting data privacy, recognizing the importance of safeguarding individuals’ information in an increasingly digital world.
