Do We Have to Mourn the Death of State-building?

This panel examines a growing paradox in contemporary peace processes: while disputes over state structures, governance and political inclusion often lie at the heart of armed conflicts, these issues are increasingly absent from peace negotiations. As conflicts become more fragmented, internationalised and technologically complex, mediation efforts have shifted towards managing violence and achieving short-term stability rather than addressing the underlying political grievances that drive conflict. 

Although narrower agreements can reduce violence, they frequently leave unresolved the exclusionary institutions, contested political settlements and governance failures that contributed to conflict in the first place. Their sustainability often depends on continued international engagement and financial support, raising questions about whether they can deliver lasting peace. 

Against a backdrop of geopolitical competition, shrinking space for ambitious peacebuilding agendas and a wider crisis of multilateralism, the panel will explore whether contemporary mediation has become overly focused on stabilisation at the expense of long-term transformation. It will also consider whether statebuilding remains a relevant framework for peace processes or whether new approaches are needed. 

Bringing together senior policymakers, mediators and practitioners, the discussion will assess how mediation can better connect immediate conflict management with governance reform, political inclusion and state legitimacy. The panel aims to identify practical ways of supporting sustainable peace in contexts where comprehensive political settlements may be unattainable and only incremental progress is possible.