The Group of Friends consists of governments and multilateral organizations that support the efforts of the Alliance of Civilizations to counter the rise of extremism and polarization.

The Secretariat staff regularly brief members of the Group of Friends through their permanent missions at the United Nations headquarters in New York.  On 13 September 2007, President Jorge Sampaio, High Representative of the Alliance, held a meeting with Ambassadors of the Group of Friends.  During the meeting, President Sampaio urged action from the Group of Friends on a number of fronts, specifically:

• That Member States create or strengthen national strategies for cross-cultural dialogue in the areas of media, youth, education and migration. Collaborating closely to achieve the AoC Implementation Plan, particularly two main projects – the online Clearinghouse and the Rapid Response Media Mechanism (RRMM) –  would demonstrate the leadership of Member States in implementing the recommendations put forward in the HLG report at national, regional and local level.

• That international organizations create a “Chart for partnering with the Alliance” and outline expected results. The aim is to mobilize international and regional organizations around the world that can play an important role in bridging divides and promoting cross-cultural dialogue among partners and within member countries.

• That countries and international organizations and bodies appoint a focal point for internal coordination and implementation of the Chart as well as for liaison purposes with the AoC Secretariat.