The international community is failing to stop conflict. Despite efforts by international organisations and state actors to resolve or prevent it from breaking out, wars around the world have left millions of people suffering. Unstable governments and global insecurity are contributing to an age of poly-crisis. The past year of renewed the conflict in Gaza is the latest manifestation of this trend.

How can a divided world work better to prevent conflict and reduce the suffering of the civilians affected?

Martin Griffiths has spent decades working within the United Nations system on conflict resolution and humanitarian action, most recently as Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs. He worked on peace deals in Northern Ireland and Yemen and responded to emergencies in Ethiopia, Haiti, Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, Sudan, Turkey and Gaza and elsewhere. In this discussion, he casts his expertise over the biggest challenges in the world today and assess the prospects for international cooperation on conflict resolution in the future.

Key questions to be discussed include:

• How can a lasting peace be secured in the conflict between Israel and Hamas?
• Is the world too fragmented to prevent or resolve conflicts around the world?
• What role can the United Nations play in today’s geopolitical environment?
• How is US-China strategic competition affecting global attempts to limit conflict?

In-person places for this event are balloted. Confirmations will be sent by email on Friday 27 September at 3pm or a placed on the waitlist. Virtual registrations will be confirmed immediately.

Individual membership provides you with the complete Chatham House experience, connecting you with a unique global policy community. Find out more about membership.