On April 30th, the Democratic Progress Institute (DPI) and the Diyarbakır Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DTSO) co-organised the event “The Role of Business in Conflict Resolution: Mapping Dividends of Peace in Türkiye” in Diyarbakır. This event formed part of DPI’s ongoing series Mapping the Dividends of Peace in Türkiye and the Region, which explores the interconnected nature of conflict, peacebuilding, and the economy, emphasising the economic rationale for peace.
Participants included heads of chambers of commerce and industry, business leaders, academics, journalists, and civil society representatives.
The event featured as speaker Former Senator and Member of the Oireachtas (Parliament of Ireland) Committee on Transport and Communications, Gerry Horkan. Drawing on the Northern Ireland experience, Mr Horkan highlighted how the business sector played a crucial role in advocating for peaceful solutions, actively supporting peacebuilding initiatives, and ultimately reaping the economic benefits of stability and growth. His presentation was followed by an in-depth discussion on the lessons that, while not directly transferable, offer valuable insights for Türkiye.
In the afternoon session, DTSO President Mehmet Kaya provided a comprehensive overview of the region’s economic challenges. Kaya pointed to the historical underinvestment and economic deprivation in the southeast, a pattern traceable to the early years of the Republic. He emphasised that the 2013–2015 solution process stood out as a period of notable economic revitalisation, with clear improvements in trade, tourism, investment, and growth, offering undeniable evidence of the economic dividends of peace.
Subsequent discussion sessions allowed participants to share further examples of the economic costs of ongoing conflict, including hesitant investors and underdeveloped infrastructure. The event concluded with a forward-looking dialogue on how the business community and civil society organisations can contribute to conflict resolution efforts, even during politically sensitive times, and how they can help broaden the base for sustainable peace initiatives.