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

+1-212-963-7209

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
        • Institution and Leadership
          • Institution and Leadership
          • High Representative
          • High Representative's Statements
          • Previous Leadership
          • Group of Friends
          • High-level Advisory Council for the High Representative
  • 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 Hub
          • 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
  • Resources
        • United Nations Action Plans Developed by UNAOC
          • United Nations Action Plan to Enhance Monitoring and Response to Antisemitism
          • United Nations Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites
        • Resources and Publications
          • UNAOC Action Plan (2024–2026)
          • Guiding Documents
          • Implementation Plans
          • Publications
          • UNAOC News Flash
        • UNAOC Reports
          • Group of Friends Meeting Reports
          • Annual Activity Reports
          • Financial Reports and Audited Financial Statements
  • Global Forums
    • Cascais 2024
      • Cascais Forum Website
    • Fez 2022
      • Fez Forum Website
      • Fez Forum Report
    • 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
  • Contact

High Representative’s Remarks at the Nizami Ganjavi 26th High-level Meeting

September 20, 2023 Filed Under: Featured, High Representative's Statements

Remarks by the High Representative for UNAOC
At the Nizami Ganjavi 26th High-level Meeting
“Shaping the Future : Rebooting Multilateralism”

20 September 2023 – 9:00 am, New York

Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,

It is always a great honor to be addressing such a remarkable gathering of prominent figures to listen and learn from their wisdom.

Listen to each other and learn from each other, are key elements in any constructive dialogue.

Dialogue builds understanding , trust and respect.

Sadly today, there is a shortage of dialogue and a surplus of monologue.

It is a paradox to mention monologue when less than a mile from here, world leaders are delivering public statements and behind closed doors.

But are they listening to each other with open hearts and minds?

I think not.

Geopolitical divisions are growing wider. Old conflicts are re-escalating and new conflicts are erupting everywhere.

Deep-rooted inequalities are fraying our societies.

Gender equality is in reverse mode and human rights is suffering a set-back in many parts of the world.

Toxic hate, xenophobia and discrimination on the basis of religion or belief including antisemitism, Islamophobia and Christinophobia are mainstreamed and spreading at a pace never seen before enabled by the fast-growing new technologies.

Neo-Nazi and white supremacist movements are gaining both strength and traction.

They have become the fastest growing security threat in many countries.

In short, the global landscape as we see it today reminds us of difficult times that prevailed during the Cold war era, if not worse.

But back then, it was a bipolar world…seen through the narrow lens of 2 super powers.

But now we are transitioning into a multipolar world. Multipolarity is not necessarily a blue print for the balance of power or a guarantee for peace.

A Multipolar world can be a complex and dynamic international system with multiple centers of power, complex alliances and shifting alliances which can lead to both opportunities and challenges.

Multipolarity requires strong global governance and effective networked multilateral institutions.

Equally we need to restore universal humanistic values that are embedded in the UN Charter.

His Holiness Pope Francis spoke about the “globalisation of indifference” in his apostolic exhortation titled “Evangelii Gaudium” or (The Joy of Gospel). He called instead for the globalization of solidarity and compassion.

We need a new narrative to address the current global context. One that is people-centered focusing on the vulnerable.

We need to rebuild trust and restore solidarity.

We need to invest in social cohesion through inclusion and protection of human rights and human dignity.

We need to enhance global citizenship education.

After this high-level week is over, we reflect and ask ourselves whether world leaders can muster political will and walk the talk.

Distinguished colleagues,

I started my remarks by invoking the value of listening to and learning from the wisdom of others.

Today, the 20th of September marks the death of Dag Hammarskjold, the second Secretary General of the United Nations. Sixty-three years after his death , Dag Hammarskjold’s wisdom still inspires all of us within the UN and beyond. He was a compassionate human being before being a skilled diplomat and a brave leader.

I wish to conclude by quoting Dag Hammarskjold: “The pursuit of peace and progress cannot end in a few years in either victory or defeat. The pursuit of peace and progress, with its trials and its errors, its successes and its setbacks, can never be relaxed and never abandoned.”

I thank you and I look forward to the panel discussions.

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

  • High Representative’s Remarks at the International Likhachev Scientific Conference May 22, 2025
  • Statement by the High Representative on the murder of two members of the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C. May 22, 2025
  • Statement by the High Representative on his appointment as United Nations Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia May 7, 2025
  • News Flash volume 46 – April 2025 April 30, 2025
  • Statement: Call for Peace, the End of Wars and Respect for International Law April 26, 2025
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 Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), browse through the recent editions of our monthly newsletter.


News and Press Releases

To view the latest features about UNAOC click here to browse through our archives.
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023 UNITED NATIONS ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS | DC1 One United Nations Plaza, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10017 | PRIVACY | TERMS | Return to top