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An article from the International Peace Bureau
Against an international backdrop marked by growing instability and global rearmament, the International Peace Forum concluded this Friday (September 25), in Rivas-Vaciamadrid. It brought together 63 organizations from 32 countries with the aim of mapping out diplomatic alternatives to what they describe as one of the most dangerous periods since World War II.
Video of Forum on facebookThe forum’s panels centered the debate on the need to transition away from a unipolar international order—sustained by record increases in global military spending, which reached $2.718 trillion in 2024—toward a multilateral framework of peaceful coexistence.
Speakers at the forum denounced the financial priorities of global powers, noting that they continue to divert essential funds that should instead go toward healthcare, housing, and the fight against hunger. Similarly, during the working sessions and five thematic panels held at the gathering, delegations analyzed key conflict hotspots:
° Middle East and North Africa: The forum condemns the crisis in Palestine and Lebanon, as well as the recent aggression against Iran that threatens energy security in the Strait of Hormuz.
° Latin America: It demands the immediate removal of the economic blockade and energy siege imposed by the United States on Cuba, while also rejecting coercive measures and aggression against Venezuela.
° Eastern Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa: The forum urged negotiated solutions to end the war in Ukraine and the dynamics of conflict in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Western Sahara.
The forum also made an urgent appeal for the signing of an international treaty guaranteeing the prohibition and ecologically safe dismantlement of nuclear arsenals, which currently exceed 12,000 warheads globally. Furthermore, peace was linked to climate justice following the commitments of COP30 in Belém, and special focus was placed on protecting women and migrants affected by wars and human trafficking networks.
Unlike other international gatherings, the Rivas Forum aims not to end merely with a statement of principles and intentions. To ensure the continuity of its work and follow up on agreements, the participating organizations have established a roadmap with commitments to create:
° International Coordination Mechanism: Concrete proposals to formalize a permanent communication and cooperation network will be presented before the end of 2026, operating continuously through 2027.
° New Monitoring Institutions: Approval was granted to propose an International Observatory on Conflict Resolution and Militarism to prepare periodic reports, alongside the structure of a Parliamentary Network connecting lawmakers from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe.
° Mobilization Calendar: Endorsing the Stop Rearm Europe campaign and actively joining the days of pacifist mobilization scheduled for November 20 and 21, 2026, was also agreed upon.
Finally, the forum proposed promoting the submission of peace resolutions to the UN, UNESCO, WHO, and IMO, as well as seeking strategic diplomatic alliances with global integration platforms such as BRICS+, CELAC, the African Union, and ASEAN.
Where in the world can we find good leadership today?
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Political and social organizations and embassies
1- Partido Comunista de España
2- Izquierda Unida
3- Ayuntamiento de Rivas Vaciamadrid
4- Partido Comunista de Cuba
5- Partido Comunista de Portugal
6- Partido Comunista de Francia
7- Foro Europeo
8- Partido Comunista de Uruguay
9- Frente Amplio de Uruguay:
10- PTB
11- Refundación Comunista
12- Stop Rearm Europe
13- Intal Bélgica / RedFox
14- FPLP
15- Revolución Ciudadana de Ecuador
16- Unión de Juventudes Comunistas de España (UJCE)
17- Asociación Patrice Lumumba
18- Transform Europe
19- Foro de São Paulo
20- Celac Social
21- Partido Comunista Colombiano y Pacto Histórico
22- International Peace Bureau (IPB)
23- Socialistas Democráticos de América (DSA)
24- Federaciob Democrática Internacional de Mujeres
25- Moviniento Democratico de Mujeres
26- Pax Christi
27- Justicia y Paz España
28- Morena
29- Partido de la Izquierda Europea (PIE)
30- World Beyond War
31- Alianza Negra por la Paz
32- Al -Haq
33- Partido Comunista de Chile
35- CCOO
36- UGT
37- Mundubat
38- Unadikum
39- Movimiento Pacifista de Castilla-La Mancha Mujeres de Negro
40- Bloque de Resistencia y Rebeldía Popular de El Salvador, Madrid:
41- Argentina Soberana, Madrid
42- Solidaridad con Cuba, Madrid
43- Asociación Guinea Bissau Amilcal Cabral
44- Asociación Mujeres Africanas en España
45- AKEL Chipre
46- Gabon
47- Senegal:
48- Embajada China
49- Embajada Cuba
50- Embajada Polisario
51- Movimiento Pan-africano
52- Embajada Palestina
53- Embajada Vietnam
54- Partido Comunista de China
55- Centro Estudios y Trabajos Nueva Ruta de la Seda
56- Fundacion Mwhana Glenn
57- Guinea Ecuatorial
58- Iniciativa por el Retorno a Palestina
59- Asociación Violeta Parra Chile
60- Partido Comunista Peru
61- Partido Comunista Bolivia
62- Catedra China
63- Asociación Embajadores/as por la Paz
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