Achieving peace and security in a world of turmoil
Date: 28 February 2019

SESRIC has published a research report titled “Achieving peace and security in a world of turmoil: An Arduous Challenge for the OIC.” The report probes the required ingredients for conflict prevention and management in OIC countries, enhancing the OIC peace and security architecture, developing institutional mechanisms for sustainable peace and security in OIC countries, and exploring alternative paths for achieving sustainable peace.

The report points out that currently more than 60% of all conflict in the world occur in OIC countries, of which the overall majority are internal conflicts. The consequences of the raging violence in OIC countries has been devastating. It is human tragedy that has taken its toll on people’s lives. More than 80% of global conflict fatalities have taken place in OIC countries. Millions of people have been forced to leave their homes. The economic consequences of conflicts in OIC countries are running in the hundreds of billions of dollars; money that could have been well spent on economic and social development.

Prevention of conflicts is the least costly way to avoid their consequences. The report investigated the drivers of conflict using a multidimensional approach spanning: inequality; human development levels; political and social exclusion; and stateness problems. In this regard, the report studied the OIC mediation and conflict resolution efforts over the last five decades and major lessons learned. These lessons are valuable in strengthening and enhancing the OIC efforts in mediation and conflict resolution.

Finally, as part of its policy recommendations on developing institutional mechanisms for sustainable peace and security, the report advised the OIC to consider developing a security strategy that will set expectations that the OIC can deliver upon, and guide the OIC’s conflict resolution and peace-building efforts in the years to come. The strategy should lend general support to more intensive security cooperation in the OIC area, which is not only needed for improving security, but also necessary for the wellbeing of member states and their citizens.

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