A new high-level board to advise the UN chief on mediation efforts around the world is aiming to turn the focus away from talk of “hybrid wars” to “hybrid peace-building.”

That’s according to the former President of Finland, Tarja Halonen, who is one of the 18 leading international members of the panel, which was set up by Secretary-General António Guterres in September.

The creation of the Advisory Board on Mediation is part of the UN chief’s pledge during his first year in charge of the organization to embark on a “surge in diplomacy for peace”.

Mr Guterres told board members on Tuesday, there was "an urgent need to invest in prevention and address the root causes of conflicts and further mediation efforts."

The board is expected to allow the UN to work more effectively with regional organizations and others involved in mediation around the world.

Ms Halonen joined other members at UN Headquarters in New York, and told Jerome Bernard how their first day of meetings had gone on Monday.

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