KUWAIT: The Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held a symposium on Tuesday titled “The Art of Diplomacy in Conflict Resolution.” The event featured Dr Athar Sultan Khan, Dean of the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations, and was attended by several heads of foreign missions and members of the diplomatic corps.
In his keynote address, Dr Sultan Khan discussed the escalating global challenges and emphasized the critical role of diplomacy in mitigating conflict. He revealed that over 122.6 million people have been forcibly displaced worldwide due to wars and violence — a figure he said reflects both the deterioration of the international system and the diminishing effectiveness of traditional diplomatic approaches.






“The world is witnessing an era dominated by conflict,” he said, adding that the current “agenda of wars” has compelled millions to flee their homes. He stressed that the repatriation of displaced individuals is essential for any durable political resolution or peace agreement. Dr Khan voiced concern over what he described as a global shift in diplomatic conduct, where dialogue and negotiation are increasingly being replaced by ultimatums and unilateral dictates.
This change, he warned, has widened political divides and hampered international cooperation, despite the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter for over eight decades. He called for the adoption of “real diplomacy through dialogue” — a concept developed jointly by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the Geneva School of Diplomacy — as a viable and effective method for resolving modern conflicts. Engaging all stakeholders, including non-governmental actors, through inclusive dialogue, he said, is the only path toward sustainable peace and meaningful solutions. — KUNA