AfP and CSPPS, Leading Networks Representing More than 500 Peacebuilding Organizations, Call for Diplomacy and Restraint Amidst the Ceasefire in the Middle East

 
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 9, 2026

CONTACT

Nick Zuroski | nick@allianceforpeacebuilding.org

Washington DC, USA; The Hague, The Netherlands — The Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP) and the Civil Society Platform for Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (CSPPS) welcome the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. This development represents an important opportunity to halt escalation and prioritize diplomacy. This agreement averted potential violations of international law and mass destruction, while opening a pathway to address the war's humanitarian suffering, regional instability, and global shockwaves.

As organizations working to promote peace, prevent violent conflict, and protect civilian lives, we underscore that prevention must remain at the forefront of all efforts. The current pause in hostilities represents not only a cessation of fighting, but also a vital opening to address underlying tensions through peaceful means. We stress that restraint—both in action and in rhetoric—is essential to ensuring that this opportunity is not lost. We call on all parties to:

  • Fully respect and adhere to the agreed two-week period of non-fighting in the entire Middle East region, without exception;

  • Prioritize diplomacy and dialogue, using this window to lay the groundwork for longer-term de-escalation;

  • Exercise maximum restraint, avoiding any actions or statements that could inflame tensions or undermine trust;

  • Center conflict prevention efforts, including confidence-building measures that reduce risks of miscalculation; and

  • Protect civilians, uphold international law and humanitarian norms, promote regional stability, and lay the foundation for long-term sustainable peace.

We further urge the broader international community to actively support diplomatic initiatives and reinforce this fragile pause through constructive engagement. A sustained focus on prevention, restraint, and diplomacy will be essential to transform this temporary ceasefire into a pathway toward lasting stability.

The Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP), named the “number one influencer and change agent” among peacebuilding institutions worldwide, is an award-winning nonprofit and nonpartisan network of almost 300 organizations working in 181 countries to prevent and reduce violent conflict and build sustainable peace. AfP cultivates a network to strengthen and advance the peacebuilding field, enabling peacebuilding organizations to achieve greater impact—tackling issues too large for any one organization to address alone.

The Civil Society Platform for Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (CSPPS) is a global network of 800+ civil society organisations working in over 50 countries to advance peacebuilding and conflict prevention in fragile and conflict-affected settings. CSPPS amplifies the voice and agency of local civil society in key global policy arenas, from the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding to the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Agenda for Peace. Supported by a Secretariat hosted by Cordaid, CSPPS drives coordinated advocacy for advancing peaceful, just, and inclusive societies, with SDG16 at the heart of our mandate.

Press Release, Policy ActionNick ZuroskiAfP, 2026