On 5 May 2026, EPLO and Diplomeds, The Council for Mediterranean Diplomacy, convened a closed-door roundtable in Brussels bringing together practitioners from mediation and diplomacy, alongside experts and peacebuilders from across Mediterranean countries.
The discussion focused on the current state of the peacebuilding and mediation field, currently undergoing significant transformation. Participants discussed about shifting mediation trends in Mediterranean conflicts, explored how to better empower local actors and regional mechanisms, and examined how European institutions and actors can play a more meaningful role in advancing peacebuilding.
The broader context framing the conversation is one of growing pressure on multilateral approaches: the increasing dominance of hard power, a preference for short-term fixes over sustained processes, and a more crowded mediation landscape shaped by the rise of middle powers and highly personalised foreign policy styles.
In this context, the Mediterranean stands out both as a region deeply affected by these dynamics and as a space where diplomatic engagement and inter-regional cooperation continue to offer real possibilities.Recent escalations across the broader Middle East have reinforced the urgency of this work, while also highlighting the value of local ownership, regional involvement, and civil society participation in any credible peacebuilding effort.
EPLO remains committed to being a place where these conversations can happen, and where the people driving peacebuilding forward can connect, reflect, and build shared ground.
