ERMES III is a global instrument that enables the EU to provide assistance to conflict parties, third party mediators and groups participating in inclusive peace processes, in the context of local, national or international armed conflicts, or for preventive purposes. It does so through short-term operational support, technical assistance and capacity-building. ERMES complements the EU’s own diverse roles as a mediator, and political and financial supporter of mediation and dialogue efforts of others.

To enhance exchange on mediation and dialogue processes, ERMES supports biennial workshops, co-hosted by the United Nations (UN) Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and the European External Action Service, which target intergovernmental organizations with existing mediation support capacities. The aim of these meetings is to promote engagement and the sharing of experiences for effective mediation support.

Climate change and peacebuilding

As part of these exchanges, the EU hosted experts from regional organisations active on mediation and conflict prevention for a high-level meeting on 4 and 5 December 2019. The participants discussed ways of addressing challenges posed by climate change and scarcity of natural resources to peace processes.

The event took place in Brussels with the participation of the African Union (AU), Economic Community of African States (ECCAS), Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Organisation of American States (OAS), the League of Arab States (LAS) and the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).

With conflicts on the rise, and unprecedented challenges, mediation is a key tool for regional organisations to respond effectively to conflicts with the support of the UN and the EU. To establish strong partnerships and learning processes on climate change and conflict, climate mediation focal points have been established within each organisation to keep an ongoing debate and identify collective solutions.