GPP’s International Advisory Council Gathers to Address Peacebuilding Challenges

On 20 May 2025, the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform (GPP) convened its International Advisory Council (IAC) retreat at Villa Rigot. Gathering voices from across International Geneva—UN agencies, NGOs, academia, civil society, and diplomatic missions—the retreat focused on navigating the evolving landscape of peacebuilding in a time of global uncertainty.

The retreat opened with a welcome coffee, followed by an update on GPP’s recent activities and a presentation on Geneva Peace Week 2025 and the applications review process. This year’s Peace Week, under the theme “Peace in Action”, is set to bring together an even wider range of practitioners, policymakers, and researchers dedicated to advancing peacebuilding efforts.

A central focus of the meeting was the funding crisis and UN restructuring, with profound implications for Geneva’s ecosystem. The session, introduced by Ms. Lynn Hastings, former UN Assistant Secretary-General, provided a  reflection on the deepening funding challenges faced by the international aid sector in 2025. Amidst donor fatigue, budget cuts, and a shift in priorities towards defense spending, many organizations are experiencing unprecedented challenges—forcing reductions in operations, staff layoffs, and scaling down of programs. Geneva’s peacebuilding community, including the United Nations.

This discussion created space for IAC members to share updates, reflect collectively on the impact of these challenges, and explore ways to navigate the turbulent landscape.

Following a short break, the group engaged in a working lunch where IAC members provided updates on their own recent and upcoming activities, sharing ideas and identifying opportunities for collaboration despite the broader constraints.

The retreat concluded with a reflective discussion on the role of the GPP in turbulent times, where participants emphasized the importance of GPP’s convening power in fostering resilience and collaboration within Geneva’s peacebuilding ecosystem. As the community faces mounting challenges, the GPP’s ability to create spaces for dialogue, coordination, and innovation remains more essential than ever.

This retreat reaffirmed the GPP’s commitment to supporting Geneva’s peacebuilding community and advancing efforts towards sustainable peace—despite the uncertainties and disruptions of our time.