Geneva Peacebuilding Platform 2025 in Review

2025 marked a year of growth, renewed partnerships, and global reach for the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform (GPP). From strategic consultations shaping the UN peacebuilding agenda to a successful 12th edition of Geneva Peace Week, the Platform strengthened its role as a convener and catalyst within International Geneva’s peacebuilding ecosystem.

January: Setting the Stage for another Successful Year

The year opened with the launch of the preparatory cycle for the 12th edition of Geneva Peace Week (GPW). As of January and for the next six months, the GPP brought together its consortium partners to align on priorities, review lessons from previous editions, and decide on  the 2025 thematic direction, criteria for applications, event formats and participation modalities

In parallel, GPP initiated its 2025 fundraising campaign, engaging with long-standing donors and exploring new avenues for partnership, efforts that proved successful with the addition of a new major sponsor.

February: Shaping Global Peacebuilding Policy & Celebrating Milestones

Geneva Consultations 2025: Contributing to the UN Peacebuilding Architecture Review

In February, GPP co-organized, alongside Interpeace and with support from the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, a new edition of the Geneva Consultations. Held as part of the formal phase of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture Review (PBAR), the consultations gathered experts from international organizations, civil society, the private sector, and academia. Discussions focused on emerging global challenges and Geneva’s unique expertise in two key areas:

• Engaging the private sector for peacebuilding and financing
• Leveraging human rights tools, institutions, and communities for sustainable peace

These dialogues generated forward-looking recommendations to inform the PBAR twin resolutions to be adopted later in the year.

Anniversary Celebrations

February also witnessed the beginning of a year celebrations for two GPP founding institutions: DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance and the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), both marking significant anniversaries and reaffirming their long-standing contributions to peace and security.

March: Highlighting Achievements in the 2024 Activity Report

GPP released its 2024 Activity Report, capturing milestones that shaped the previous year and informing priorities for 2025. Highlights included the successful 2024 edition of Geneva Peace Week, the Platform’s transition into a Foundation, and the launch of its new visual identity. The report also noted strengthened partnerships through a new MoU with the University for Peace and expanded capacity-building efforts, including a training programme for diplomats.

April: Geneva Peace Week Meets Addis Ababa

The second edition of GPW Meets took place from 7–8 April 2025 at the Hyatt Regency in Addis Ababa, bringing together diverse voices from across Africa and International Geneva. With 870 session attendances, the event created a space for reflection on some of today’s most pressing peace and security challenges.

The programme opened with a high-level plenary and a Peace Dialogue on Climate, Peace, and Security, setting the tone for exchanges between peacebuilding communities in Geneva and Addis Ababa. Day two featured two thematic sessions selected through a call for participation, ensuring the agenda remained rooted in locally identified priorities, from International Humanitarian Law to the impacts of new technologies on youth peacebuilders.

The event concluded with a special edition of the PeaceTalks in partnership with Interpeace, where speakers shared powerful stories of resilience and transformation. 

Co-organized by the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and Amani Africa, the hybrid event fostered meaningful dialogue on African peace and security priorities, highlighting the importance of locally led initiatives and the ways international actors can better support and learn from them.

May: Advancing International Humanitarian Law & Strategic Guidance

GPP at the Global IHL Consultation

In May, Executive Director Dr. Annyssa Bellal participated in the first state consultation on “International Humanitarian Law and Peace,” led by the International Committee of the Red Cross as part of its Global Initiative to galvanize political commitment to IHL.

International Advisory Council Retreat

The GPP also convened its International Advisory Council (IAC) at Villa Rigot. Representatives across International Geneva examined how peacebuilding actors can navigate an increasingly complex global landscape and support collective action in times of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.

June: A Record-Breaking GPW Selection Process & New Leadership

The selection of applications for Geneva Peace Week 2025 reached new heights, with 228 proposals submitted, a significant rise from previous years. Submissions included:

• 115 Peace Panel proposals
• 84 in-person Peace Workshops
• 29 online Peace Workshops

GPW25 also broadened its thematic landscape, incorporating 24 keywords, up from 13 in 2024.

New Board Appointments

June also welcomed two influential leaders to GPP’s Board of Directors:

• Ms. Hiba Qasas, Founding Executive Director, Principles for Peace
• Mr. Itonde Kakoma, President & CEO, Interpeace

Their expertise in governance, mediation, and inclusive peace processes strengthens the Platform’s strategic orientation for years ahead.

July–August: Designing GPW Events and Summer Break

July and August were dedicated to shaping the events that the GPP would deliver during Geneva Peace Week 2025. The team focused on thematic development, event design, partner coordination, and outreach to speakers to ensure a diverse and impactful programme.

For the first time, the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform stepped into a more active convening role, organizing and co-organizing 11 events, including high-level panels and special sessions at GPW25.

Following a  busy first semester, the summer months also offered the team an opportunity to take well-deserved time off before the intensive preparations ahead of the autumn period.

September: Launching the GPW25 Programme and Final Preparations for GPW

September marked the beginning of the busiest period of the year for the GPP, as preparations for Geneva Peace Week 2025 entered their final phase. The month opened with a series of kick-off sessions with event organizers, offering space to address last questions, clarify next steps, and ensure a shared understanding of expectations.

A highly anticipated moment for both organizers and participants was the release of the GPW25 Programme, followed by the opening of registrations to attend GPW25. This milestone required intensive coordination with partner organizations to finalize content, confirm speakers, and synchronize communications.

Following the programme launch, the GPP team shifted its focus almost entirely to operational readiness. This included the recruitment and training of temporary GPW staff, arranging travel and accommodation for speakers, driving a coordinated communications and social media campaign, and working closely with technical teams on hybrid modalities, interpretation services, and on-site logistics.

October: Geneva Peace Week 2025  “Peace in Action”

From 13 to 17 October, the 12th edition of Geneva Peace Week unfolded under the theme “Peace in Action.” Hosted entirely at the Maison de la Paix, the forum once again transformed the venue into a vibrant hub of creativity, dialogue, and international exchange.

This year’s rich programme featured over 100 activities, from panels, workshops, online discussions, and ceremonies to art exhibitions, special events, and networking moments. A total of 137 global organizations contributed, bringing together thousands of peacebuilders from 156 countries across governments, international organizations, civil society, academia, the private sector, and youth networks.

With 5,700 session attendances, including 3,300 on-site and 2,400 online, Geneva Peace Week reaffirmed the value of its hybrid format in expanding accessibility and enabling diverse global participation. The 2025 edition also highlighted the growing role of art and culture in peacebuilding, celebrating artists whose work helps reshape narratives, foster empathy, and support community healing. Behind the scenes, the week’s success was made possible thanks to the continued support of our donors and the dedication of expanded temporary staff across hospitality, logistics, event assistance, and technical operations, ensuring a smooth and welcoming experience for all.

GPW 2025 at a Glance:

• 100 activities over 5 days
• 5,700 total session attendances
• Representation from 156 countries
• 137 participating organizations
• 282 speakers and moderators

Once again, Geneva Peace Week strengthened its reputation as one of the world’s leading platforms for inclusive and innovative peace dialogue

November: Governance Challenges and 2026 Planning

In November, GPP co-hosted a workshop with DCAF and TRIAL International on “The Business of Security: New Frontiers and Persistent Challenges in Regulating Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs).” Building on insights from a major international symposium held earlier in the year, the workshop offered timely analysis on the evolving governance of PMSCs, an area of growing global relevance as states and organizations increasingly rely on private security actors.

November also marks an important period of consolidation for GPP. It is during this month that post–Geneva Peace Week processes take place, including the drafting and editing of the GPW25 Report, the collection and review of session notes from organizers, the completion of financial and administrative follow-up, and the development of GPP’s programme of work for 2026.

December: Closing the Year With Community

The year will conclude with season’s greetings and an end-of-year celebration with partners, highlighting shared achievements and reaffirming commitments to collaborative peacebuilding in 2026 and beyond.

As GPP moves into 2026, it does so with renewed momentum, strengthened partnerships, and a deepened global network.  2025 was a year of expansion, not only in numbers, but in vision, reach, and impact. The Geneva Peacebuilding Platform remains committed to fostering dialogue, amplifying diverse voices, and connecting peacebuilding practice across regions and disciplines.