Zarif Attending Oslo Forum

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived in the Norwegian capital on Monday to attend the Oslo Forum, an annual international conference on ways to promote international peace attended by armed conflict mediators and peace process actors.

During his two-day stay, Zarif will address the conference and exchange views with participants on ongoing global conflicts, IRNA reported.

Speaking to Press TV on arrival in Oslo, Zarif said he would discuss with other participants "particularly the very volatile situation in the Persian Gulf region, and the fact that our region doesn't need any more turmoil."

Zarif is also scheduled to meet Norwegian officials to discuss bilateral relations and international developments.

The 2017 edition of the summit themed on "peace-making in the new era of geopolitics" is to be held June 13-14, featuring panel discussions, debates and roundtable sessions on a variety of topics.

  Higher Number of Attendees

The forum, which started in 2003 with 17 countries in attendance, this year is expected to bring together diplomats from about 100 countries and organizations, notably European Union's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, United Nations Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman, former UN chief Kofi Annan and former US secretary of state John Kerry.

The forum is organized jointly by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, a private diplomacy and conflict mediation organization.

According to its official website, the Oslo Forum "convenes senior conflict mediators, high level decision makers and key peace process actors in a series of informal and discreet retreats to share experience, identify challenges and reflect on mediation practice."

Zarif also attended the 2016 edition of the forum, and held meetings with several participants, including Mogherini.

Zarif said in his address to last years' summit that forging a common strategy by all members of the international community is essential to fighting extremism and terrorism.

"All countries should understand that this is a global problem that demands a global solution," he said.