Report by Ms. Lorena Schlicht, Mayors for Peace France (AFCDRP)
The conference organized by Cités Unies France on June 26, titled “The diplomacy of local authorities faced with the crises engulfing the Middle East and Near East,” underscored the pivotal role of decentralized cooperation in addressing contemporary challenges. With nearly half a century of experience, Cités Unies France and its partners have supported French local authorities in developing multilateral strategies amidst diplomatic, political, and natural disasters. Focusing on the Middle East and the Near East, the conference highlighted how local governments can facilitate dialogue and solidarity amid entrenched conflicts such as those between Israel and Palestine, Syria’s civil war, and tensions in Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon. By promoting cultural exchanges and economic ties, local authorities aim to build trust and contribute to peace efforts, complementing national and international initiatives in resolving regional crises.
Philippe Rio, Mayor of Grigny and President of Mayors for Peace France, played a crucial role during the conference held at the Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales (INALCO) in Paris. During Session 1, themed “Middle East and Near East, the territory of all crises: an inevitable chaos?”, he contributed alongside Pascal Boniface from the Institut des Relations Internationales et stratégiques (IRIS). Philippe Rio emphasized the engagement of French cities in twinning initiatives with Palestinian cities and refugee camps through various associations and networks, as well as the hosting of Palestinian sports delegations during the Olympic Games in Paris despite challenging circumstances.
Facing the insecurities in the landscape of the Middle East, the issue of military nuclear capabilities is heightened by geopolitical tensions and regional rivalries. Israel’s policy of “strategic ambiguity” concerning its presumed nuclear arsenal, along with ongoing concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions despite its commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), underscores significant security threats regionally and globally. The absence of a clear international consensus on nuclear disarmament perpetuates these risks, necessitating urgent calls for Israel and Iran to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) to mitigate conflict potential and foster a more secure and stable region.
Photos: courtesy of AFCDRP–Mayors for Peace France