By Mr. Rabbih El-Haddad, Director of the Division for Multilateral Diplomacy at UNITAR
Across the world, fractures appear to be widening faster than old wounds can heal. Conflicts that were once local now reverberate globally while new crises – pandemics, climate change, and mass displacement – place unprecedented strain upon our established systems of cooperation. In such a landscape, it might seem as though the time for preventative diplomacy has passed. However, the commitment to negotiate before disputes spiral out of control has never been more important.
Preventative diplomacy has always been one of the most vital, yet most understated tools of the United Nations. It tends to operate outside of the spotlight, seeking to de-escalate tensions through dialogue and mediation rather than force. Though its successes may rarely make headlines, its absence is unmistakable in the devastation left by war. The conflicts that dominate our headlines today illustrate the immense cost of waiting too long to negotiate and remind us that prevention is not only more humane, but far less costly than response and reconstruction. As the United Nations commemorates its 80th anniversary, this is a moment to reaffirm the founding vision of the Charter: that lasting peace is built not only on agreements, but on the constant practice of dialogue, cooperation, and trust.
Preventive diplomacy begins with that trust, both between parties in a conflict and in the multilateral institutions that make dialogue possible. The erosion of this trust has made prevention harder to sustain than ever. Rebuilding it therefore calls for a renewed culture of engagement across divisions, where listening and inclusion form the foundation of collective action.
In this spirit, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research is proud to announce the second edition of World Negotiation Day, which will be taking place on the 8th of December 2025 in Doha, Qatar. Hosted by UNITAR in collaboration with the Doha Forum and QatarDebate, this year’s event is structured around the theme “Negotiating Peace in a Fragmented World: The Case for Preventative Diplomacy.” Qatar has emerged as a key mediator in some of the world’s most complex and protracted conflicts, and its sustained commitment to dialogue makes Doha a particularly meaningful host for this initiative.
The forum will convene leading voices from international organizations, governments, and civil society to examine how negotiation can, and must, be revitalized as the first line of defense against conflict. Its agenda features an opening ceremony, a high-level panel, and the presentation of the “Doha Best Negotiator of the Year” award, which honors an individual whose skills, integrity, and impact in negotiation have contributed meaningfully to international peace and cooperation.
As fragmentation threatens the foundation of multilateralism, we must resist the temptation to believe that dialogue is no longer sufficient or effective. Negotiation is not a relic of a more optimistic age, but the pathway to a more sustainable one.
For more information or to submit nominations for the Doha Best Negotiator of the Year Award, please contact dwnd@unitar.org. Registration for in-person and online participation is open through UNITAR’s website.
About the author:
Mr. Rabbih El-Haddad is the Director of the Division for Multilateral Diplomacy of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), his work focuses on supporting governments, decision-makers, multilateral negotiators and the numerous negotiating groups that use diplomacy and negotiation as tools to defend their national interests in a complex context.
