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Over the last two decades, the world has invested just one dollar in peace for every $100 of military spending. And today, the percentage of aid devoted to peacebuilding has dropped to only 7% of total aid in fragile contexts. At the same time that the investment in peacebuilding is declining, the need is increasing. One in four persons globally now live in fragile and conflict-affected settings – contexts that already host over 70% of the world’s poorest and generate 80% of global forced displacement. With conflicts rising and international aid and cooperation backsliding, crises could become more severe and contagious.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE: https://www.nupi.no/en/events/2026/the-role-of-un-peacebuilding-in-a-world-characterised-by-greater-geopolitical-tensions
As conflicts and military expenditure rise, so does the need to invest in peace. In a new Global Overview Report, Investing in Peace When the World Pays for War, the UN Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office (PBPSO) has explored these trends. The report argues that peacebuilding is a strategic solution and explores how the peacebuilding community can better mobilize the political and financial support it needs.
To discuss these issues, Assistant Secretary-General for UN Peacebuilding and Peace Support, Ms Elizabeth Mary Spehar will visit NUPI on 16 October for a breakfast seminar (09:00-10:00, with breakfast served from 08:30).
With more than 35 years of experience in international and political affairs, Ms. Spehar has worked in United Nations Headquarters and in the field, leading political, development, peacebuilding and conflict prevention initiatives. Since 2016, she was the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), also serving as Deputy to the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus.
In the panel is also NUPI Research Professor Cedric de Coning. His research focuses on how the United Nations and other multilateral institutions can more effectively sustain peace and security, with particular attention to mediation, peace operations and peacebuilding.
Drawing on complexity theory, he developed Adaptive Peace, a framework for sustaining peace and security amid the uncertainty of an increasingly turbulent global order. The Adaptive Peacebuilding approach is also featured in the PBPSO Global Overview Report.
The seminar is held at NUPI on 16 October, 09:00-10:00. A light breakfast is served from 08:30. The event will also be live streamed to NUPI’s YouTube channel. No registration needed for digital participation.
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Event venue
NUPI, Rosenkrantz gate 22,Oslo, Norway
Tickets
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