• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

+1-929-274-6217

contactaoc@unops.org

How to Get Involved

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)

United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)

Many cultures. One humanity.

MENUMENU
  • Home
  • Who We Are
        • About Us
          • About the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)
          • Trust Fund and Donors
          • UNAOC Secretariat
          • Vacancy Announcements and Opportunities
        • History
          • History
          • Timeline
          • High Level Group
        • Governance and Leadership
          • Governance and Leadership
          • High Representative
          • High Representative's Statements
          • Previous Leadership
          • Group of Friends
  • What We Do
        • What We Do
          • Programming Overview: Platform for intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation
          • UNAOC News Flash: Read the Latest Updates
        • What We Do
          • United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Annual Activity Reports
          • UNAOC Upcoming Events Calendar
        • Projects and Initiatives
          • An overview of UNAOC's ongoing projects and initiatives
          • How to Get Involved
  • Projects
        • Projects and Initiatives
          • Intercultural Innovation Award
          • UNAOC Fellowship Program
          • PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival
          • Youth Solidarity Fund
          • Young Peacebuilders
          • Summer Schools
          • Hate Speech International Conference
          • Media and Information Literacy Clearinghouse
          • PeaceApp
          • Media & Information Literacy for Teachers
          • Intercultural Leaders
        • Projects and Initiatives
          • EDIN – “Empowering Dialogue and Interfaith Networks”
          • 'Sport for One Humanity' Initiative
          • Promoting the Role of Women as Peacemakers
          • News Generation Against Hate: Empowering local youth to create alternative narratives and champion diversity in the media
          • #YouthWagingPeace: A Whole Community Approach to Prevention of Violent Extremism through Education
          • Digital Games for Peace: Intercultural dialogue and socio-emotional competencies for peacebuilding
        • Campaigns
          • UN Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites
          • Call to Action #forSafeWorship
          • #OneHumanity Campaign
  • Resources
    • All Resources and Publications
    • UNAOC Action Plan (2019-2023)
    • UN Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites
    • Guiding Documents
    • Implementation Plans
    • Group of Friends Meeting Reports
    • Annual Activity Reports
    • Financial Reports and Audited Financial Statements
    • Publications
  • Global Forums
    • Fez 2022
      • Fez Forum Website
    • 8th Global Forum
      • 8th UNAOC Global Forum Website
      • 8th Global Forum Report
    • Baku 2016
      • Baku Forum Website
      • Baku Forum Report
    • Bali 2014
      • Bali Forum
    • Vienna 2013
      • Vienna Forum
      • Vienna Forum Documents
    • Doha 2011
      • Doha Forum
    • Rio 2010
      • Rio Forum
    • Istanbul 2009
      • Istanbul Forum
      • Outcomes & Reports from Istanbul Forum
      • Marketplace of Ideas at the Istanbul Forum
      • Istanbul Forum Documents
    • Madrid 2008
      • Madrid Forum
      • Outcomes & Reports from Madrid Forum
      • Speeches & Statements
  • News
        • News and Updates
          • UNAOC News Flash
          • News, Features and Press Releases
          • In Focus (Programming Newsletter)
          • Newsletter Archives
        • High Representative
          • High Representative's Statements
          • UNAOC Press Statements
          • High Representative's Blog
        • Multimedia
          • UNAOC Video Gallery
          • Join the Global Call to Action #forSafeWorship
          • Stories of #OneHumanity
  • Contact

Remarks by the UNAOC High Representative at the High-Level Group of Friends Ministerial Meeting

I have an ambitious plan that aims at strengthening and consolidating the relevance of the work of UNAOC visa-a-vis conflict prevention and conflict resolution. To that end, the new five-year work plan (2019-2023 ) envisages new approaches and initiatives that are measurable and results-oriented. At the same time, the plan re-enforces current project activities that have had a proven impact on the ground.

September 27, 2019 Filed Under: Featured, High Representative's Statements, High Representative's Updates

Remarks by the High Representative for UNAOC
Mr. Miguel Moratinos
at the High-Level Group of Friends Ministerial Meeting
27 September 2019, United Nations Headquarters Conference Room 2

Your Excellency, Mr. Sedat Onal,
Deputy Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey,

Your Excellency, Mr. Fernando Valenzuela,
Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs of Spain,

Distinguished Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great honor to welcome you to UNAOC High-Level Ministerial Meeting. This is the first meeting of the Group of Friends of UNAOC that I chair since I took office in January 2019. During the past few months, I have engaged with most of you either bilaterally or during my interventions. We exchanged views on the course of action that UNAOC should take in the next few years to make it more action-oriented and rooted in the UN. My first official trip was to Madrid and Ankara, where I presented my vision to the co-sponsors of the Alliance, Spain and Turkey. The valuable input I received during all these meetings had been reflected in the work plan that I intend to present to you today. I was also heartened by the overall support that I received for me personally and for the work of the Alliance.

I seize this opportunity to welcome H.E. Mr. Jose Luis Zapatero, former President of the Spanish Government for his unwavering belief in the initiative he created almost 15 years ago and his trust and support for me throughout the years. I also welcome my good friend H.E. Mr. Amr Moussa, Former Secretary-General for the League of Arab States.

Distinguished Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are all too aware that despite unprecedented progress in the most recent history of humankind, there are still many threats in achieving peace and harmony between people of different cultures, religions and ethnicities. Cultural and religious pluralism is being challenged by the rising tide of xenophobia, racism and many forms of discrimination as well as an ever-growing phenomenon of radicalization. Across the global landscape, we see conflicts persisting and terrorism spreading.

There is a regression and a lack of trust in the viability of a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-lingual world. In some cases, it is due to the lack of knowledge or understanding; in others, it is a question of political leadership and will.

Since its inception in 2005, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations continues to be an ardent defender of inclusiveness and efficient multilateralism.

Crucial components of an effective multilateral system are the commitment to respect, dialogue, empathy, inclusion, diversity, solidarity, dignity, multiculturalism and living together, and those are precisely the values and principles underpinning the conviction shaping my vision for this organization.

As this organization approaches its 15th anniversary in 2020, UNAOC remains a viable tool for conflict prevention and conflict resolution through actions across its 4 pillars including the promotion of intercultural and interfaith dialogue. That tool had been often neglected.

At the same time given the complex nature of today’s multidimensional conflicts, I realized that there was a need to cultivate new forms of cooperation – based on genuine inclusivity – with other international and regional organizations, civil society, faith actors, municipalities, young women and men and the private sector.

I would like to recall the urgency felt when the Alliance was first created. There is a need to re-invigorate that spirit again and revamp its tools.

I have an ambitious plan that aims at strengthening and consolidating the relevance of the work of UNAOC visa-a-vis conflict prevention and conflict resolution.

To that end, the new five-year work plan (2019-2023 ) envisages new approaches and initiatives that are measurable and results-oriented. At the same time, the plan re-enforces current project activities that have had a proven impact on the ground.

The new work plan has been drawn benefiting from the vision of the co-sponsors Spain and Turkey whose political and financial support for the Alliance has been invaluable over the years.

It defines in broad terms the building blocks that should define the course of action for the future work of UNAOC.

I will be making a presentation of the main segments of the Action Plan for UNAOC later.

I thank you.

Share this

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)

Primary Sidebar

If you wish to receive updates about UNAOC's advocacy and programming activities, please sign up using the form below:


UNAOC Press Room

  • View Recent Press Statements from the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations January 30, 2023
  • Press Statement on the terrorist bomb attack on a mosque in Pakistan January 30, 2023
  • Press Statement on the terrorist attack outside a synagogue, East Jerusalem January 27, 2023
  • Media Advisory: The International Day of Human Fraternity January 26, 2023
  • Press Statement on the Church Stabbing in Southern Spain January 25, 2023
Get Involved

UNAOC is the premier global platform for intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation. Learn how you can support UNAOC.

Support UNAOC

Footer

UNAOC News Flash

For the latest news from the United Nations Alliances of Civilizations, browse through the recent editions of our our monthly newsletter.


Programming Newsletter

To view the latest edition of “UNAOC In Focus”, our programming-focused newsletter, click here to browse through our archives.


UNAOC on Twitter

  • Tune in for a virtual event commemorating #HumanFraternityDay organized by #UNAOC, the Permanent Mission of Egypt… https://t.co/426xzpwjc7
  • 🎉 Happy International Day of Human Fraternity! 🗓 On Monday, 6 February, 3pm EST, join us in promoting the message… https://t.co/E0NvpPRUmH
  • RT @ZayedAward: Under the patronage of UAE President H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nah… https://t.co/XudCPeYW8J
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2021 UNITED NATIONS ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS | 730 THIRD AVENUE, 20TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY 10017 | PRIVACY | TERMS | Return to top