Workshop Report on Peace and Peaceful Coexistence in the DRC- Focus on Conflicts in the East

This report provides an account of the work of the multi-stakeholder workshop organized by the Consortium Amani na Umoja (“Peace and Unity”), a platform bringing together seven civil society organizations working for peacebuilding, social cohesion, and sustainable development in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Action pour les Droits Solidaires (ADS), Africa Reconciled, Congo Security Update Alert (CSUA asbl), Women Concern (WOCO), Action pour le Dévéloppement de Jeunes au Congo (ADJC), Ministère d’Accord et de Rapprochement pour l’Essort Collectif en Afrique (MARECAR) et Encadrement des Femmes Indigènes et des Ménages vulnérables (EFIM).

This workshop was part of a collective dynamic aimed at analyzing conflict dynamics in the Eastern part of the country, identifying the underlying causes of tension, and proposing concrete actions to promote peace and harmonious coexistence between communities. The dialogue brought together community-led/national organizations (NGOs), international organizations (INGOs), some UN agencies, medias and public administration.

NATO’S 3.5% SPENDING GOAL: UNSUSTAINABLE ON EVERY COUNT

Issue Briefing – June 2025

A new analysis released during the NATO summit in the Netherlands by the Transnational Institute, Tipping Point North South, and Stop Wapenhandel, reveals that NATO’s growing military build-up is severely undermining global climate goals and diverting critical resources away from climate and social investment.

Since 2021, NATO member states have increased their combined military spending by 25%, reaching US $1.5 trillion. This rise has contributed to an estimated 40% increase in the Alliance’s carbon emissions—from 196 million to 273 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent. In 2024 alone, European NATO members and Canada recorded their steepest annual spending increase in decades at 17.9%.

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EBCO New Annual Report on Conscientious Objection In Europe

A Call to Safeguard the Right to Refuse to Kill and Resist Wars

Read the full report here or browse by country.

EBCO’s 2024 Annual Report on Conscientious Objection to Military Service in Europe is released at a time of escalating global militarisation. From the revival of conscription in Europe to the devastating impacts of ongoing wars, the protection and empowerment of conscientious objectors is more urgent than ever.

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Alternative Defence Review

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) has launched the Alternative Defence Review in response to the UK Government’s 2025 Strategic Defence Review. The document explores the broader implications of increased defence spending and offers a different perspective on national and international security policy. It forms part of a wider initiative involving trade unions and peace organisations aiming to reassess the direction of UK foreign and defence policy.

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Submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Belarus

50th Session of the Human Rights Council Working Group | November 2025

7 April 2025

The International Centre for Civil Initiatives “Our House” (Belarus &Lithuania), International Peace Bureau (IPB), and coalitions of international peace and human rights organizations, have submitted a comprehensive report to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 50th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Belarus last 7 April 2025.

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Arctic Council – what and where to?Arctic Council – too important to be squeezed between the great powers!

Author: Ingeborg Breines

Norwegian peace educator, former director in UNESCO and former president of the International Peace Bureau/IPB

There are many reasons to pay close attention to what is happening in the far north. The Arctic is attracting strong international interest as global warming and melting ice open up for more fishing, more drilling of oil and gas and hunt for minerals on the seabed. In addition, there is increased shipping, especially in the Northeast Passage, with faster trade and transport opportunities between the West and the Far East.

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A Needed Step to Strengthen the Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones (NWFZs) Regime

By: Enkhsaikhan Jargalsaikhan, IPB Board Member and Blue Banner Chairman

Growing importance of NWFZs

Nuclear-weapon-free zones (NWFZs) are important and practical regional measures of non-nuclear-weapon states (NNWSs) in promoting the goals of maintaining strategic stability, nuclear non-proliferation and strengthening confidence among states. Today there are more than 115 states the territories of which cover about 84 mln km2 of the world’s landmass, representing 39% of its population and making up almost 60% of United Nations membership. Thus much has been achieved in the past half a century. However, the past rich experience should serve as a tool of strengthening and broadening further the NWFZ regime leading to creating a nuclear-weapon-free-world (NWFW). When oceans and seas that cover about 70% of the Earth’s surface are to be included, the NWFZ regime would cover most of the NWFW.

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Common Security in the Indo- Pacific Region

14 October 2024 – In collaboration with the Campaign for Peace, Disarmament, and Common Security, PeaceMOMO, and the dedicated efforts of an international working group of scholars and peace leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, the U.S., and Europe, we are proud to share the Common Security Report in the Indo-Pacific Region.

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NEW PUBLICATION: Human Security and Common Security to Build Peace – A Toolkit for Parliamentarians

A new joint publication by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the International Peace Bureau (IPB) and the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS) is designed to provide parliamentarians around the world with a toolkit for prioritizing human security and common security as opposed to militarized state security.

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C7 Policy Recommendations: Peace, Common Security and Nuclear Disarmament

By: International Peace Bureau and Italian Network for Peace and Disarmament

CONTEXT: CHALLENGES TO ADDRESS

On May 19, 2023, following G7 leaders’ Hiroshima Vision on Nuclear Disarmament proclaimed a “commitment to achieving a world without nuclear weapons with undiminished security for all.” As anxieties over global crises continue to grow, the pursuit of undiminished common or collective security has never been so necessary.

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