Following groundbreaking talks in Oslo in July, the Chechnya Peace Forum mediated further dialogue between Dukhvakha Abdurakhmanov (Representative of the Russian authorities in Moscow) and Akhmed Zakaev (Prime Minister of the Maskhadov continuation government). Taking place in London, these were the most recent of meetings between both sides, forming part of the first consultations in nine years to resolve the conflict in Chechnya.

The Chechnya Peace Forum held a press conference in London to announce the latest round of talks. Speaking at the press conference were:

• Ivar Amundsen, director of the Chechnya Peace Forum;
• Dukhvakha Abdurakhmanov, (Representative of the Russian authorities in Moscow);
• Akhmed Zakaev (Prime Minister of the Maskhadov continuation government).

Commenting on the talks in London Dukhvakha Abdurakhmanov, (Representative of the Russian authorities in Moscow) said:

"The objectives of my meetings and official dialogue with Akhmed Zakaev are to strengthen political stability with the ultimate goal of consolidating the Chechen nation.

"As a result of our consultations in London we are united in calling on the independent World Chechen Congress to progress these discussions and take the process forward."

Akhmed Zakaev (Prime Minister of the Maskhadov continuation government) added:

"As a result of the consultations which have just ended in London, we have come to a unanimous conclusion about the necessity to convene the World Chechen Congress. The Congress will enable us to work out a joint political platform on all crucial issues facing the Chechen people today, and in the future."

Ivar Amundsen, Director of the Chechnya Peace Forum said:

"In my capacity as the mediator of these talks in London, I am delighted that both parties in these Russian-Chechen consultations have taken an important step towards transforming the geopolitical landscape which can have a radical impact in both Russia and Chechnya. By reaching an agreement on the need to convene the World Chechen Congress, the prospects for Chechen-Russian relations and the Chechen people are going in the right direction for the first time in 20 years."

• Akhmed Zakaev, Prime Minister of the resistance Government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria;
• Vladimir Bukovsky , Soviet and Russian dissident and human rights activist;
• Robin Shepherd, Director of International Affairs, Henry Jackson Society;
• Gisela Stuart MP, Member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

The high profile event attracted a large audience, exploring the impact of foreign and domestic policy making in Russia in realtion to the Caucasus. It also focused on current relations with the West and the lack of democratic reform in Russia.

On Thursday February 19^th, the Chechnya Peace Forum hosted a seminar Chechnya: The Forgotten War. Chaired by Chechnya and Islamic Movements Analyst, Murad Batal al-Shishani, speakers for the event included:

• Akhmed Zakaev - Prime Minister, Resistance Government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
• Ivar Amundsen - Chair, Chechnya Peace Forum
• Professor Bill Bowring - Chair, European Human Rights Advocacy Centre
• Marina Litvinenko - Author

Ahead of World Chechnya Day 2009 the event provided an opportunity to explore the painful saga of Chechnya and the Caucasus, and discuss the human rights violations that continue to take place in the country today.

The discussion also focused on the prospects for restoring lasting peace, security, freedom and the rule of law to the region.

On Thursday Novermber 27th, the Chechnya Peace Forum hosted a seminar in conjunction with the Henry Jackson Society entitled: Cross-fire in the Caucasus - Russia's threat to democracy and human rights.  Chaired by the Rt Hon Lord David Trimble, speakers for the event included:

• Ed Lucas, Central and Eastern Europe correspondent, The Economist
• Kim Sengupta, Defence and Diplomatic Correspondent, The Independent 
• Neil Macfarlane, Professor of International Relations, Oxford University
• Akhmed Zakaev, Prime Minister of the Chechen Resistance Government of Ichkeria

The event focused on the consequences for the Caucasus following the war in Georgia and explored how the West can best engage with Russia over the region.

The discussion was reflective of the fact that the Caucasus is in the midst of a geo-political battle that will continue to destabilise the region and form one of the key foreign policy debates for Britain and the EU in the coming years.

In May 2008 the Chechnya Peace Forum and the Foreign Policy Centre hosted a conference "Spotlight on Russia" in London. Taking place only a week after Dmitry Medvedev's inauguration as the new President of Russia, the topics addressed by the speakers were: Managed Democracy: Political Realities Under Russia's New President; Russia's New Order: Civil Liberties and The Rule of Law; Russia's Policy on Chechnya and the Caucasus; Russian Influence on the World Stage: What the Future Holds.

On Friday 29^th February 2008, the Chechnya Peace Forum and The Foreign Policy Centre hosted a roundtable seminar: The Future of Russia and the Caucasus - Putin and Beyond at the Royal Society of Arts, London.
Keynote speakers included:

• Stephen Twigg - Director, The Foreign Policy Centre
• David Clark - Chair, The Russia Foundation
• Ed Lucas - Journalist on the Economist and Author of The New Cold War: How the Kremlin Menaces Both Russia and the West
• Akhmed Zakaev - Prime Minister, Resistance Government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria

Just days ahead of the Russian presidential election the seminar provided the opportunity for policy makers, commentators and analysts to discuss political, social and economic developments in both Russia and the Caucasus.