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The challenges of transiting out of conflict and fragility are significant, and current ways of working in these environments have generated limited results. 1.5 billion people are affected by conflict and fragility. About 70% of all states that feature fragility have seen conflict since 1989. 25% of ODA is spent in fragile and conflict-affected contexts, but it is volatile and concentrated on just 8 partners. These countries are also furthest away from achieving the MDGs. We must change our ways of working together.

A dialogue to achieve better results in fragile states

The International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding was established in 2008 in Accra, in response to the need for a better and more focused effort to address the challenges of conflict and fragility.

It is the first forum to bring together countries affected by conflict and fragility and their international partners to identify, agree and realise more effective ways of supporting transitions out of fragility and building peaceful states. More than 40 countries and international organisations currently take part in the International Dialogue.

The International Dialogue is based on the principles that successful transitions in conflict-affected and fragile countries require national ownership and leadership, strong international support and partnership. Its Secretariat is hosted by the OECD Development Assistance Committee.

What will the Dialogue change?

Members of the International Dialogue have agreed to a New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States (11/2011), which builds on the Dili Declaration, the g7+ Statements and on the Monrovia Roadmap. Three elements make this New Deal the needed innovation for engagement in conflict-affected and fragile situations:

• It establishes five Peacebuilding and Statebuilding Goals (PSGs) as an important foundation to enable progress toward the MDGs, and to guide (inter)national efforts and resources.
• It sets out new terms of engagement to support countryowned and -led transitions out of fragility (FOCUS).
• It outlines a series of commitments to achieve better results (TRUST).

What's next?

Our challenges now are to deliver the New Deal, to maintain an open dialogue, and to build new partnerships in support of it.

• Implementation: Over the coming years, International Dialogue members will undertake the necessary actions and reforms to implement the New Deal. Concrete results require a focus at the country level. Some policy and political changes will require focus at the global level. It will be key to effectively monitor what works, and to swiftly adjust what does not.
• Dialogue: Change processes are complex and political. They require inclusive leadership and open dialogue. We will maintain and enrich the critical dialogue we need to realise better results in transitions out of conflict and fragility.
• New partnerships: Fragility, difficult political transitions and widespread violence put the prosperity and lives of millions of people at risk worldwide, on all continents. There is much we can learn and much we can share. Hence, we will look for new partners to work with us in this enterprise.

The International Dialogue will continue to provide a platform that enables dialogue, learning and that stimulates initiatives that seek to help build peaceful states.

Related Documents

The International Network on Conflict and Fragility (INCAF)

Task Team on South-South Co-operation