Event: China and Russia as peacemakers?

The increasing participation of non-Western actors in global peace efforts signals a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape. Once primarily led by Western nations and organisations like the United Nations, peace processes over the past decade have seen Russia and China rise as influential players.

Russia’s role in conflict management across the Middle East and Africa, such as in Syria, Libya, Mali, and the Central African Republic, reflects its global ambitions and influence in areas once dominated by Western powers. China’s peacebuilding efforts are even broader. It plays a key role in diverse regions, from the Horn of Africa to Ukraine and Myanmar, with its role in the 2023 Iran-Saudi Arabia agreement showcasing its growing diplomatic clout in the Middle East.

The roundtable, organised by the Scottish Council on Global Affairs in partnership with the PeaceRep consortium, will bring together academic and policy experts to discuss emerging trends in China’s and Russia’s approaches to peacemaking. The event will explore the modalities in their approaches to conflicts and the impact of their strategies across various regions.

Opening remarks: Brad MacKay (St Andrews, Deputy Principal and Vice-Principal (International Strategy and External Relations)

Chair: Juliet Kaarbo (St Andrews)

Contributors:

• Monalisa Adhikari (Stirling)
• Sanja Badanjak (Edinburgh)
• Kasia Houghton (St Andrews)
• Maija Paasiaro (John Smith Trust)
• Mateja Peter (St Andrews)

All welcome!