Settlement of International Disputes by Peaceful Means for the Maintenance of International Peace and Security

This study aimed to examine the role of settling international disputes by peaceful means in maintaining international peace and security, by analyzing the legal framework governing this principle in contemporary international law and identifying the most important diplomatic and legal mechanisms used in managing disputes between states. The study addressed a central problem concerning the extent to which peaceful means are effective in settling international disputes, as well as the challenges that limit their ability to achieve security and stability within the international community. The study adopted the analytical approach by examining relevant international legal texts and rules, particularly the Charter of the United Nations, in addition to the comparative approach to compare the various means of peaceful settlement, such as negotiation, mediation, good offices, inquiry, conciliation, and international arbitration. The study concluded that peaceful settlement is no longer merely a political or moral option, but has become a firmly established legal obligation requiring states to refrain from the use or threat of force and to resort to dialogue and legal mechanisms to settle their disputes. The study also showed that the success of these means is largely dependent on the availability of political will among the parties to the dispute, respect for the rules of international law, and the activation of the role of international and regional organizations, foremost among them the United Nations. The study concluded with the need to strengthen the binding nature of certain settlement mechanisms and to develop their methods in a manner consistent with the nature of modern disputes, particularly economic, environmental, and cyber disputes, thereby contributing to the consolidation of collective security and the achievement of sustainable international peace.