Director's outlook for 2026
As the new year begins, we reflect on a world where hope and uncertainty coexist. Last year saw the highest number of state-based armed conflicts in over seven decades. The number of women and children affected by armed conflict across the world is at record-high levels. The wars in Ukraine, Sudan and Myanmar continue to inflict immense human suffering, even as a fragile peace in the Middle East offers a rare moment of slight optimism. These protracted conflicts raise urgent questions about how peace can be supported and sustained. Against this backdrop, the United States marks 250 years of independence on 4 July – a moment to reflect on democratic evolution and the effects of the country’s shifting role in global affairs, especially in light of its recent intervention in Venezuela.
In responding to today’s challenges, PRIO’s research on security and defence will look at how geopolitics and changing military dynamics affect global security, and how we as societies can be better prepared to tackle hybrid as well as conventional threats. We will continue to expand our work on artificial intelligence, exploring how new technologies may support peace efforts, as well as how they risk reinforcing inequalities or fuelling new forms of conflict.
These themes have been central to our public engagement over the past year. From Arendalsuka to Oslo Peace Days, they have informed discussions about how we might navigate an era marked by insecurity and fragmentation. Guiding questions have shaped these conversations: How do we talk about peace in a world at war? How do we ensure a stable global order and peaceful inter-state relations when international institutions are being undermined? These questions will continue to drive our work. PRIO remains committed to rigorous research, open dialogue and close collaboration with policymakers, practitioners and partners across the global research community.
Looking ahead, we warmly invite you to PRIO’s Annual Peace Address on 15 January, where we are honoured to have Amnesty International Secretary General Dr Agnès Callamard speak on a pivotal issue of the day: the attack on human rights across the globe.
In 2026, PRIO will continue to connect researchers, policymakers and the public in pursuit of a more peaceful world. Our mission endures: to generate knowledge that enables informed policy decisions and promotes the conditions for peace to thrive, globally, regionally and nationally.
Sincerely,
Nina Græger
PRIO Director
