The Sultanate of Oman participated in the 16th Ministerial Meeting of the United Nations Group of Friends of Mediation, under the theme “A Broader Coalition for Peace: Strengthening Mediation through Inclusive Partnerships”.

Oman was represented at the meeting, held in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly by Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Alqutbi, Head of the Foreign Ministry’s International Organisations Department.

The meeting discussed ways to strengthen the role of mediation and diplomacy in preventing and peacefully resolving conflicts. It debated how to develop the UN’s role in this field amid current international developments, and enhance coordination and partnerships between the UN, countries, regional organisations and other actors involved in mediation efforts.

The discussions addressed ways to strengthen the UN’s mediation system and make it more flexible and effective, and the role the next UN Secretary General could play in supporting mediation and preventive diplomacy, as well as ways to achieve greater coordination between different conflict-resolution initiatives and efforts.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Foreign Ministers of Türkiye and Finland, in their capacity as co-chairs of the UN Group of Friends of Mediation, which comprises 56 countries and eight international organisations, including the United Nations.