What we do – IPB – International Peace Bureau

Webinar: Women in Conflict Zones

On March 19, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET, the Women in Conflict Zones webinar brought together women from various war-affected regions to share their experiences and insights. Organized by World BEYOND War, Southern Anti-Racism Network, International Peace Bureau, Convention for Pan-Africanism and Progress (CPP), and CODEPINK, the event highlighted the devastating impacts of war on women and children while exploring solutions for peace and justice.

Speakers from Belarus, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gaza, Lebanon, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Korea, Sudan, and Syria shared firsthand testimonies of resilience and activism in conflict zones. The event also aligned with the second UN Decade for People of African Descent (2025-2034), emphasizing the need for targeted support for African women and children affected by war.

Speakers:

Belarus: Olga Karatch
Cameroon: Cyrille Rolande Bechon
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Julie Kabukanyi
Gaza/Palestine: Hanan Awwad
Lebanon: Hala Kilani & Shirine Jurdi
Mozambique: Namatama Sakabilo
Nigeria: Zullaihat Muhammad Ohiare
South Korea: Cho Young-mi
Sudan: Reem Abbas
Syria: Oula Ahmad

This webinar served as a powerful call to action, urging global solidarity in addressing the impact of war on women and fostering long-term peace.

A full description of the event and the speakers’ bios are available on the event webpage here: https://worldbeyondwar.org/womenandwar/

To learn more, watch the full webinar in the video below.

Post Event – If Not Now, When? An International Forum to Prevent Nuclear War and Secure Our Future

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for our side event If Not Now, When? An International Forum to Prevent Nuclear War and Secure Our Future on March 4, 2025, at Scandinavia House in New York City.

GDAMS 2025: April 10 to May 9

From April 10 to May 9, 2025, the International Peace Bureau (IPB) will join forces with partners worldwide for the Global Day of Action on Military Spending (GDAMS). This year’s campaign comes at a crucial moment, as the world faces escalating violence, including the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the war in Ukraine, and over 30 other armed conflicts in the Global South, many of which are in Africa. These conflicts, alongside increasing militarization and supremacist rhetoric, have created a climate of fear and instability.

Alarm at Irish Government Plans to Dismantle Ireland’s Triple Lock

Open Letter to the Taoiseach by International Organisations

Ireland is a neutral country. A central component of that neutrality is the Triple Lock. It stipulates that Irish troops can only be deployed on overseas missions if there is approval from:

the cabinet,
Dáil Éireann – Ireland’s lower house of parliament,
and there is a UN mandate.

A three-tiered approval mechanism to authorise the deployment of troops to highly complex and volatile environments, including conflict zones, makes good sense. Yet in recent days the Irish government announced plans to bring legislation before the cabinet to undo it. This is a fundamental policy shift that will seriously weaken Irish neutrality. It could see Irish troops being deployed, not to keep the peace within a UN mandated mission, but to wage war as part of a military alliance.

We firmly believe in neutrality as a means to actively prevent the outbreak of war and recognise that the Triple Lock is vital for preserving Ireland’s neutrality, particularly amid escalating global instability and conflict. We wrote to the Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) to convey our alarm at the erosion of a core component of Irish neutrality.

You can read the full letter below.

Statement from the International Peace Bureau (IPB) on the Current Situation in Syria and Aspirations for Its Future

The International Peace Bureau (IPB) celebrates alongside the Syrian people the end of the Assad regime’s rule and brutal crackdown in Syria – the scenes of liberation produce hope of a national recovery and transformation to a new inclusive and democratic future for Syrians. The nation has endured immense suffering since the outbreak of conflict in 2011. The initial protests’ rapid escalation into a devastating civil war has already resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives, the displacement of millions both internally and externally, and the near-total destruction of the country’s infrastructure.

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 km²of 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.

Investing in Peace: IPB’s Role in Challenging EU Militarization at the European Left’s Summer University

Article from August 2024

The European Left and its foundation transform!europe held their Summer University in Mieres del Camino (Spain) on July 11th, 12th, and 13th. Chloé Meulewaeter, the GCOMS coordinator at the International Peace Bureau (IPB), participated in the plenary titled: “Investing in Peace, not in War! An analysis of the militarization of the EU.“

The session was moderated by Marga Ferré, Co-president of transform!europe (Spain), and featured several speakers: Claudia Haydt, Vice-president of the European Left and coordinator of its Peace Working Group (Germany); Gavin Rae, from the Nazprod Foundation (Poland); and Niamh Ní Bhriain, Programme Coordinator on War and Pacification at the Transnational Institute (Ireland).

During the plenary, Chloé Meulewaeter discussed the militarization of the European Union, highlighting how the arms industry lobby influences EU institutions to promote the narrative that “security is the precondition of any sustainability” in order to access the EU’s sustainable finances. Additionally, The Transnational Institute emphasized the urgent need to invest in peace rather than war, advocating for the isolation of Israel by cutting off funding to entities that perpetuate violence, in order to end the conflict in Gaza and promote true security.

Civil Society Statement on Calling for the Commencement of Preparations for the UN’s Fourth Special Session on Disarmament

UNGA First Committee on Disarmament and International Security Delivered by Rafi Chowdhury, International Peace Bureau

Chairperson, distinguished delegates,

I present this statement on behalf of 175 civil society representatives and a coalition of organizations from around the world. We urge all member states to activate the UN General Assembly mechanism of Special Sessions on Disarmament without further procrastination, as per the recommendations of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres in Action 26(a) of the Pact for the Future.

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.

Over the past year, the authors have analyzed key crises in the region and developed diplomatic alternatives aimed at fostering greater peace, justice, and prosperity. This report serves as a vital resource to guide nations, regional organizations, and international institutions in addressing the nuclear and climate threats that challenge global security.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the authors and organizations behind this essential report, “Common Security in the Indo-Pacific Region.” Their work—through articles, travel, and advocacy—has significantly contributed to the global agenda for peace.

This report is available on the Campaign for Peace, Disarmament, and Common Security website, and we encourage its wide distribution and use in efforts to secure a more peaceful and cooperative Indo-Pacific region.

Thank you for your support.

Download Common Security in the Indo-Pacific Region, a practical and instructive resource to help prevent war in the Indo-Pacific region.

2024_10-13F Common Security in the Indo-Pacific Region Download

Check out the recording of the report launch event!

Summit of the Future Side Event Report Back: Advocating for SSOD-IV

The International Peace Bureau (IPB) participated in the Action Days and the Summit of the Future held in New York from September 20 to 23. During this pivotal event, we engaged in various activities and organized two significant events, one of which was an official offsite side event featured on the Action Days calendar.

Our official offsite side event “Reversing the Doomsday Clock: Nuclear Disarmament and the Need for a Fourth Special Session on Disarmament” aimed to advocate for a nuclear-weapon-free world and stronger disarmament commitments, calling for the convening of a Fourth Special Session on Disarmament (SSOD-IV). It took place in the beautiful and warmly welcoming Church of the Covenant on the afternoon of Saturday, September 21.

The event was co-sponsored by the Republic of Kiribati, International Peace Bureau (IPB), SCRAP Weapons (SOAS University of London), Nuclear Age Peace Foundation (NAPF), Parliament of the World’s Religions, Agora Mexico and was supported by many other partners like Reverse the Trend (RTT), Justice for All, Agora Mexico, Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung NY (RLSNY), the Episcopal Church, NGO Committee on Human Rights to the UN, NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace, and Security, and Committee of Religious NGOs to the UN.

This gathering aimed to unite diverse stakeholders, including member states, civil society representatives, and experts in disarmament, to address the urgent need for a Fourth Special Session on Disarmament (SSOD-IV). As the UN Secretary-General stated, the Summit of the Future and its accompanying Pact for the Future offer a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for member states and multistakeholders to come together and drive substantial global action.