Istanbul to host mediation conference

In a written statement released yesterday, Turkish Foreign Ministry said that Turkey's efforts continued in the field of mediation in order to solve international conflict through peaceful ways. Within this framework, Turkey initiated the Mediation Initiative for Peace with Finland during the 65th UN General Assembly in 2010 and led efforts to establish the Group of Friends of Mediation under the auspices of the UN, the statement said. As part of this, the Istanbul Conference on Mediation will be held under the theme of Enhancing Peace through Mediation in Istanbul on February 24-25, 2012 and attended by approximately 250 local and foreign experts, academic, representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGO's), UN officials and diplomats. During the conference, a wide range of issues on different aspects of mediation, including the UN's evolving role in mediation and alternative approaches to mediation will be discussed. On the second day of the conference, a high level session open to the press will be held with the participation of Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja, Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota, and President of the UN General Assembly Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser. In this context, Davutoglu will also deliver a speech on Turkey's approach to mediation.