Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to attend annual Oslo forum for conflict mediators in Norway

Geneva, Switzerland — Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Myanmar pro-democracy leader, will participate in the tenth annual high-level retreat of mediators and peace process actors, known as the Oslo forum, which will take place on 18-19 June 2012 in Oslo, Norway. The overall theme for this years forum will be Negotiating through transition.

Ms Aung San Suu Kyi will join some of the worlds most experienced mediators, high-level decision makers and key peace process actors for the opening high-level plenary session of the Oslo forum, on Monday 18 June, which will focus on the role of dialogue in countries in transition. Ms Aung San Suu Kyi will share her views on the significant changes currently occurring in Myanmar, during a panel discussion moderated by Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Jonas Gahr Stre. Aung San Suu Kyi is a living example of how peace and dialogue may eventually prevail over armed conflict. said Dr David Harland, Executive Director of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD Centre), which co-organises the forum along with the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Her relentless efforts and resilience in her fight for democracy is an example for us all. She embodies what the Oslo forum is all about: resolving conflicts peacefully through dialogue and perseverance. he added.

The Oslo forum is a global series of informal retreats for those actively engaged in peace processes around the world. The annual international gathering in Oslo in June brings together senior conflict mediators, key peace process actors and experts, as well as decision-makers and eminent thinkers. The event represents a unique opportunity for participants to share their experiences of mediation and peacemaking and reflect on current dialogue and peace processes in an informal setting. The 2012 edition will bring together around 100 participants from across the world, including the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Norway, Burkina Faso, and Sweden, as well as Myanmars Minister of Industry, H.E. Minister U Soe Thane; Ms Louise Arbour, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and President of the International Crisis Group; H.E. Teresita Quintos Deles, Head of the Philippines Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process; H.E. Ramtane Lamamra, Peace and Security Commissioner of the African Union; Mr Jean Marie Guhenno, Deputy Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States on Syria, and H.E. Said Djinnit, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa. Following Monday mornings high-level opening plenary, other sessions will focus on: Afghanistan and the influence of its neighbours in shaping its future; Growing concerns around the situation in Sahel; Challenges to the two-state solution in the Israel/Arab peace process; The politicisation of humanitarian aid and operations; The Arab Spring second wave, in particular the role of mediation in Syria and Yemen and the internal dynamics in negotiating transitions in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia; Myanmars nascent peace process and the way forward to lasting peace; and Grasping results and communicating knowledge from peace processes.

The Oslo forum series began in 2003 and regularly convenes participants at regional events in Asia and Africa, as well as at the main yearly event in Oslo in June.

The Retreat is by invitation only and the Chatham House Rule applies to the meeting.

However, the high-level opening plenary session on Monday 18 June 2012 (10.00am-11.30am Oslo, Norway time) will be broadcasted live on the Internet: http://m1e.net/c?56373958-2DE0P.VbFP1.c%407598888-0IfBlNhJYFC3s

For enquiries regarding the visit of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to Norway, please contact Mr Kjetil Elsebutangen by email: kjetil.elsebutangen@mfa.no or by phone: +47 99024903

For enquiries on the Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Stre and other officials from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, please contact Ms Hanne Melfald by email: hanne.melfald@mfa.no or by phone: +47 993 82348.

To arrange an interview with other Oslo forum participants or for inquiries on the Oslo forum or the HD Centre, please contact Ms Flore Brannon, by email: pr@hdcentre.org or by phone: +41 (0)79 479 42 25.