CAF24 in Berlin – Shaping the next generation of Peace Operations
Under the heading Shaping the next generation of peace operations, the Challenges Annual Forum (CAF24) provides a unique platform for policymakers, practitioners, scholars, and civil society representatives to address the evolving challenges of global peace and security, and create a solid foundation for the next generation of peace operations.
In the wake of the Summit of the Future and ahead of the Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin in May 2025, CAF24 participants will engage in a forward-looking exercise, explore how to overcome and move beyond known barriers, and ultimately ensure that peace operations adapt to existing and new realities.
Read more in the CAF24 concept note.
Over the past decades, various reports have provided recommendations on how to make peace operations more integrated, effective and adaptable. However, many proposed changes have yet to be implemented and it is key to take stock of what is hindering progress.
During the dynamic two-day programme (see draft), participants will tackle known barriers to change and design strategies to move beyond current models of peace operations.
The forum will explore three critical areas for discussion, during so called Innovation labs:
- Sustainable Political Solutions for Successful Peace Operations:
The primacy of politics remains a central tenet of peace operations, yet missions often fail to advance political solutions to conflict. This session will explore what barriers prevent peace operations from crafting political strategies and discuss how to increase their political impact. - Operationalising Adaptable and Effective Peace Operations:
For peace operations to be more adaptable and effective, it is essential to address the structural and operational barriers to more modular and fluid approaches along the continuum. This session will discuss incentives for organisational change, the role of leadership and the space for innovative approaches as essential steps towards overcoming barriers for more responsive peace operations.. - Enhancing Integration and Strategic Coherence in Peacebuilding:
Peacebuilding requires peace operations to promote integration and coherence with host countries, UN Country Teams and other partners. Yet peacebuilding gains can often not be sustained after the departure of peace operations. This session will explore barriers to effective integration and discuss how peace operations can better support nationally owned peacebuilding efforts, whilst maximising the benefits of a stronger Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus.
We look forward to fruitful discussions in Berlin, to collectively generate ideas on how to shape the next generation of peace operations.