Establishment of a new All Party Parliamentary Group on Conflict Prevention, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding

On 7 January 2025, UK parliamentarians held the inaugural meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Conflict Prevention, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding. The APPG brings together over 40 parliamentarians from across the political spectrum to discuss and promote conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, while building cross-party consensus on making conflict prevention a key priority in foreign policy, international development, and national security. 

Following a vote by the membership, Alex Ballinger MP (Labour) was elected as the APPG’s new Chair, and Rt. Hon. Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale (Labour), The Baroness Hodgson of Abinger CBE (Conservative), and Laura Kyrke-Smith MP (Labour) were elected as its officers. Mercy Corps and Search for Common Ground, both NGOs working to end violent conflict, were elected as the APPG’s co-secretariat. 

Upon his election, Chair Alex Ballinger MP said, 

“The establishment of this new All-Party Parliamentary Group on preventing and resolving conflict comes at a critical time. The number of conflicts globally is at its highest since the Second World War. I am thrilled by the strong cross-party interest in this APPG and look forward to fostering collaboration to assess the UK’s actions on conflict and shine a light on effective peacebuilding strategies. 

This APPG will play a crucial role in building cross-party consensus on impactful peacebuilding approaches and holding the Government to account. This work is particularly significant now, as critical decisions are being made within the FCDO amidst the UK Development Review and the Comprehensive Spending Review commissioned by the Chancellor.” 

Co-Chair Lord McConnell added:

“Over the past 16 years, as conflict has surged globally, the UK’s political and financial leadership in this area has declined. Funding for conflict prevention, resolution, and peacebuilding has been drastically cut. These reductions are not only short-sighted—peacebuilding programmes are cost-effective—but they are also fueling unmanageable humanitarian crises and exacerbating global security challenges.

This APPG is timely and essential, bringing together parliamentarians to advocate for renewed UK leadership in addressing the root causes of conflict and promoting sustainable peace.”

For further information please contact Miranda Hurst, UK Director of Policy and Advocacy at appgconflict@mercycorps.org