An agreement reached between States or non-State parties to a conflict in order to bring an end to a non-international armed conflict.
Peace agreements are often the first step in a complex peace process, and they can determine whether a later framework or comprehensive peace agreement will be possible. They signal that progress is being made in resolving the conflict and help to build trust in a future without violence.
They may include provisions on power-sharing, elections and nation building. They also commonly address the social and structural roots of a conflict. These are the issues that often lie at the heart of protracted conflicts, especially those involving high levels of violence. Such issues include the activation of latent cultural identities to create power bases that can access and control resources, such as minerals; and the incentives to engage in horrific crimes, which reinforce those identities.
Creating conditions for sustainable peace depends on addressing these factors in a way that is mutually beneficial to all. For example, enabling the free flow of trade can unlock investment opportunities, improve the business climate and stimulate growth. Reducing barriers to trade is a key element of any peace agreement. It can also enable countries to benefit from the global value chain and develop a more interconnected world.