The Paris Peace Forum 2025 has officially begun, drawing over 3,000 participants, 500 speakers, and 85 high-stakes sessions to the iconic Palais de Chaillot in Paris. Under the powerful theme “New Coalitions for Peace, People & the Planet”, global leaders are rallying to reinvent diplomacy amid escalating conflicts, climate catastrophes, and technological upheavals.
This marks the 8th edition of the forum, an initiative launched in 2018 by French President Emmanuel Macron to bolster multilateralism and craft actionable solutions for humanity’s greatest challenges. Running through October 30, the event celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement while building momentum for COP30 in Belém, Brazil – a pivotal conference on France’s climate action roadmap and global sustainability.
Opening: Calls for Action on Peace, Justice, and Climate
The forum exploded into action with an electrifying opening ceremony at the Musée de l’Homme. Justin Vaisse, Founder and Director General of the Paris Peace Forum, set the tone by emphasizing multi-actor collaboration across 85 sessions tackling everything from AI governance to conflict resolution.
José Ángel Gurría, President of the Paris Peace Forum and former OECD Secretary-General, delivered a rousing keynote: “Peace must be built, not wished for.” He urged “new alliances and courage to bridge North-South and East-West divides,” spotlighting climate collapse, tech disruption, and global debt. “Law must guide diplomacy, not just decorate it,” Gurría declared, calling on civil society to drive real change.
Echoing this, Michelle Bachelet, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stressed “peace with justice”: “Trust, dialogue, and institutions that deliver justice are the true defenses against instability.” Her words resonated amid ongoing crises in Ukraine, the Middle East, and beyond.
President Macron is expected to address the plenary, reinforcing France’s leadership in global governance.
France’s Recognition of Palestine – A Civil Society Triumph
In a nod to the forum’s civil society roots, Gurría highlighted France’s recent recognition of Palestine as a state – a landmark move announced by Macron at the UN General Assembly on September 22, 2025.
This breakthrough stemmed directly from the Paris Call for the Two-State Solution, co-organized by the Paris Peace Forum on June 13, 2025. The historic gathering united 300 Israeli and Palestinian leaders – the first since October 7, 2023 – alongside 200 international figures. Their demands for immediate recognition, ceasefire, hostage release, and Gaza aid access were delivered to French officials, catalyzing diplomatic action.
Gurría affirmed the forum’s full support for this step, stressing that civil societies on both sides must perform their roles for lasting peace.
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Heads of State and Global Icons Converge
Nearly 7,000 guests from 100+ countries are in attendance, blending heads of state, Nobel laureates, and innovators. Here’s a curated list of key attendees:
| Leader | Role/Title |
|---|---|
| Emmanuel Macron | President of France |
| Mia Mottley | Prime Minister of Barbados |
| John Dramani Mahama | President of Ghana |
| Maia Sandu | President of Moldova |
| Maria Ressa | Nobel Peace Prize Laureate; CEO, Rappler |
| Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya | Head, United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus |
| Edi Rama | Prime Minister of Albania |
| Ehud Olmert | Former Prime Minister of Israel |
| Nasser Al-Qidwa | Former Palestinian Foreign Minister |
| Jacinda Ardern | Former PM of New Zealand; President, Christchurch Call |
| Vjosa Osmani | President of Kosovo |
| Jean-Noël Barrot | French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs |
| Laurent Fabius | President of COP21; Former French PM |
| Nikol Pashinyan | Prime Minister of Armenia |
| André Aranha Corrêa do Lago | President of COP30 |
| Anne Hidalgo | Mayor of Paris |
| Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova | President of North Macedonia |
| Moussa Faki Mahamat | Special Envoy, Pact for Prosperity (4P) |
| Ana Brnabić | President, National Assembly of Serbia |
| Maria Fernanda Espinosa | Former UN General Assembly President |
The forum’s primary goal is a roadmap for global shifts on climate change, positioning attendees to influence COP30 decisions. Sessions will scale 40 innovative projects from past calls for solutions, focusing on methane reduction, AI for sustainability, and SDG financing amid aid cuts.
“This is an important opportunity,” Gurría noted, with heads of state committed to carrying these messages globally.
In a fractured world, the Paris Peace Forum 2025 isn’t just talk – it’s action. From Palestine’s recognition to COP30 prep, it’s proving civil society + leaders = progress.
