Outcomes

Chair's Summary

Geneva, Switzerland, 10 July 2014. The Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development Regional Review Conference (RRC) held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 8 and 9 July 2014, brought together 180 participants from across Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, including representatives from 41 governments. Participants discussed how measurable reductions in armed violence and improved development can be reached, regionally and globally.

The conference discussed the commitment of States and civil society organizations on to the reduction of the global burden of armed violence, both in conflict situations and in contexts of insecurity.

The high-level conference panel stressed the need for a change in the narrative of security and for a shift in the way we think about and approach armed violence, peace, and security. The panel stressed that the Geneva Declaration and other Geneva-based platforms should offer a model for breaking down silos existing between sectors and for integrating research and programming to achieve results.

The event highlighted the fact that armed violence is a universal issue and States need to share the burden of addressing its consequences and to explore the underlying causes of insecurity and violence. This needs to involve global and local actors, particularly with a focus on urban areas. The protection of human rights, the empowerment of women, and inclusive, sustainable socio-economic development were considered to be particularly important factors for addressing the risk of armed violence.

Coverage

Media

Geneva Declaration Secretariat and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Official media release (PDF)
9 July 2014

Op-Ed in Le Temps (Switzerland)
'Il est temps de parler de la sécurité autrement' (PDF)
English translation
22 July 2014

 

Radio Interview

Radio interview with Sabrina Dallafior, Human Security Division of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. The interview is an excerpt of the morning show on the Radio Télévision Suisse.
10 July 2014

The full radio programme is available on the website of the Radio Télévision Suisse.

 

Institutions

Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA)
Blog on the Post-2015 Development Agenda
'Violence armée et développement : deux problématiques liées' (only in French)
21 July 2014

European Forum for Urban Security (EFUS)
‘The work of Efus presented at the regional conference of the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development’
Also available in French

UNOG –  United Nations Office at Geneva
‘The Director-General - Speeches 2014’
Remarks of the Acting Director-Geneva Declaration Regional Review Conference 2014 Plenary Session – High-Level Panel “Current challenges to armed violence reduction and prevention”
8 July 2014

University of Oxford – Human Rights
‘Global Ministerial Review Conference on Armed Violence and Development’

Geneva International Cooperation
‘Picture of the week’
8 July 2014