Preventing and resolving conflict through a strong international system is at the heart of the FCO's work. Recent academic analysis suggests that the number of conflicts has declined since the early 1990s, largely due to the improved commitment of the international community in tackling them and the development of better tools to do so. We have been, and continue to be, a leader of this international work, but it is invariably a long-term effort. We continue to work closely with international partners and international organisations to sustain and improve our response to conflict.

We are directly involved in conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts in many parts of the world, including Afghanistan, Iraq, the Middle East, the Balkans and Africa. This important work requires expertise, capacity and co-ordination, both within the UK and internationally.

We are working to strengthen the ability of international organisations such as the United Nations, NATO, the EU, the OSCE and the Commission for Africa, to provide effective responses to threatened or actual conflict. We are also working to improve the performance of international peace support operations, such as UN Peacekeeping. We are also focussing international attention on activities that underpin conflict prevention and recovery, such as policing, justice and security sector reform, and promoting UNSCR 1325 on Women Peace and Security.

We are developing HMG's policies on Private Military and Security Companies and issue guidance for contacts with representatives of these companies.

In the UK, we work closely with DFID and the MOD to deliver results across all these areas, including through the cross-departmental Conflict Prevention Pools and the Stabilisation Unit. We are also working with the Home Office and other departments to enhance the UK's contribution to international peace support activities through international secondments of police and civilian expert mission personnel. Within the FCO, our emphasis is on improving our analysis and understanding of conflict, and of the ways in which we can prevent and manage it better.

Department for International Development (DFID)

Ministry of Defence (MOD)

Stabilisation Unit

The Home Office