Remarks by Under-Secretary-General Miguel Ángel Moratinos,
High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations,
and United Nations Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia,
at the International Likhachev Scientific Conference
St. Petersburg – 22-23 June 2025
Excellency, Prof. Alexandar Zapesotsky,
Excellencies, Colleagues, Distinguished Participants,
It gives me immense pleasure to be back to this beautiful city of St. Petersburg where history and culture meet beauty and grace.
It am also privileged to be back here, in this University of Humanities and Social Sciences, which I consider my second home university.
So my warm thanks to the Government of the Russian Federation and to my dear friend Alexandar Zapesotsky, the architect behind this significant conference.
Probably most of the young students at St. Petersburg University may not be aware that more than a decade ago, I was honoured by receiving an Honorary Doctorate from your esteemed University. I have been coming here every year since 2015 with the exception of a few years’ hiatus due to Covid and the war.
Prior to my arrival here, I was going through the booklet that highlights the takeaways of the previous conferences since 2015. I had a sense of pride thinking to myself that this circle, our circle of great minds, were very insightful into the future. I wish our predications about the war were heeded. Back then, we were debating “a transition” era. Today, this is no longer the case. Today, we are on a “transformation” mode. Transformation means hope for the better — but only if we learn from past mistakes.
The Likhachev Scientific Conference is a forum that continues to provide intellectual space for critical reflection on the world we inhabit and the one we aspire to shape. The theme of this year’s conference, “Transforming the World: Problems and Prospects,” compels us to confront a paradox: we possess more tools, knowledge, and connectivity than at any point in history — yet we are grappling with a deep crisis of trust, legitimacy, and cohesion in our global system.
I come here today as a United Nations Senior Official leading the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, and some of you are aware of the its mission and work. My entity provides a global platform for dialogue and is a bridge-builder between cultures and civilizations and religions.
I speak from within an institution that was built, in the aftermath of war, on the promise of collective security, international law, and the dignity of all peoples. In 2025, the UN will mark its 80th anniversary. That milestone offers not only a moment of commemoration — but one of reckoning. We must ask: what does multilateralism mean in today’s world? And more importantly, what must it become if it is to remain relevant tomorrow?
The global context has shifted dramatically. The post-Cold War optimism of the 1990s has faded. In its place, we face a landscape defined by geopolitical rivalries, resurgent nationalism, and a growing contest over narratives, values, and influence. New axes of tension are intersecting with old fault lines — and multilateralism is often caught in the crossfire.
The multilateral system — including the United Nations — is not immune to the crises around it. It reflects, and sometimes amplifies, the divisions among Member States. The Security Council is often gridlocked. Multilateral agreements are undermined by selective implementation. Norms are contested and, at times, ignored altogether. This erosion is not theoretical. It has real-world consequences — for conflict prevention, human rights, climate action, pandemic preparedness, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Yet, we must be clear-eyed. It is not the idea of multilateralism that has failed us. It is our collective inability — or unwillingness — to empower and modernize it. We face a deficit not of structure, but of solidarity. We need a reinvigorated multilateralism — one that is inclusive, representative, and effective. One that is anchored not in power politics, but in shared principles and mutual accountability.
Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
The case for multilateralism today is not merely aspirational; it is existential. Our world is multipolar, but increasingly fragmented. No single nation or bloc can unilaterally solve the transnational challenges we face — from climate change to pandemics, from cyber insecurity to mass displacement.
Reviving multilateralism means creating space where geopolitical competition does not entirely eclipse cooperation. It means safeguarding the institutions and agreements that have prevented large-scale war for decades. It means returning to the idea that our fates are intertwined — that in an interconnected world, the insecurity of one is the insecurity of all.
To be effective, multilateralism must evolve beyond ritual diplomacy. It must deliver results — especially for those who have long been marginalized by the global order. That means reforming outdated structures, including the Security Council, to reflect contemporary realities. It means rebalancing the international financial system to give fairer voice and access to developing economies. It means investing in multilateral mechanisms that are agile, representative, and grounded in the principles of equity and justice.
We must also ensure that multilateralism is not reduced to the domain of states alone. Global cooperation must embrace the full spectrum of actors: civil society, local communities, youth, religious leaders , scientists, indigenous peoples, and the private sector. These voices bring legitimacy, innovation, and proximity to the ground — and they are indispensable in shaping truly inclusive global solutions.
At the heart of the United Nations lies a fundamental belief: that peace is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of justice, dignity, and dialogue. Today, this belief is under assault.
In this context, I support the Secretary General’s position. I re-iterate that there is no alternative to constructive dialogue.
Around the world we see, conflicts multiplying — many of them protracted, complex, and marked by deep civilian suffering. We see the norms of international humanitarian law being eroded, and the space for impartial mediation shrinking. In some cases, diplomacy is dismissed as weakness; in others, it is weaponized.
In this context, I support the Secretary General’s position regarding the war in Ukraine . I re-iterate that there is no alternative to constructive dialogue.
Elsewhere, the on going tragic humanitarian situation in Gaza is totally unacceptable. The images that we see daily on our TV screens are heartbreaking and invokes our humanity to bring it to an end. A durable peace in the region is only attainable through the two state solution. Two state solution means: the State of Israel and the State of Palestine.
In this environment, the role of the UN — and of multilateral forums more broadly — must be reclaimed as spaces for honest, principled dialogue. We must defend the idea that dialogue is not a concession, but a responsibility; that diplomacy is not naïve, but necessary. It is through persistent dialogue — often quiet, painstaking, and imperfect — that ceasefires are brokered, access to humanitarian relief is secured, and the seeds of reconciliation are planted.
The UN’s efforts to mediate, deploy peace missions, and support national reconciliation processes are far from perfect. But they remain among the few channels where all voices, however divided, can still meet. We must strengthen these channels — not abandon them.
Moreover, we must be willing to engage with the roots of conflict: exclusion, historical grievances, resource inequality, and impunity. Peace cannot be imposed. It must be nurtured, through truth, justice, and inclusive governance.
Distinguished participants,
The United Nations Charter begins with “We the peoples.”
Any conversation about transformation must confront the twin issues of inequality and double standards. Both have become fault lines that undermine the legitimacy of global governance , let alone are strikingly a violation of what our foundational charter stands for.
Across many regions, inequality continues to fuel resentment, distrust, and instability. Whether in access to vaccines, climate finance, or decision-making power, disparities remain stark. Structural economic imbalances — exacerbated by debt, illicit flows, and unequal trade — continue to constrain development and opportunity in the Global South.
At the same time, the perception and reality of double standards erode faith in international institutions. The selective application of international law, inconsistent media narratives, and uneven humanitarian responses send a damaging message: that some lives, voices, and borders matter more than others.
To transform the world, we must begin by transforming this mindset. We must commit to a truly universal application of principles — where international law applies equally, where human rights are not politicized, and where every country, regardless of size or power, has a meaningful seat at the table.
Moving forward, as we prepare to mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, we are being called — as an international community — to walk the talk on the pledges we made to peace, security, development and human rights.
Yet there are three main challenges :
First: Peace. Without a process, we will not succeed.
Second: Sustainable Development, just sustainable development for all countries and nations.
Third: The new and emerging challenge posed by unguarded Artificial Intelligence. We cannot accept that our lives would be controlled and led by algorithms Algorithms should be replaced by Algo-ethics as Pope Francis said.
Artificial intelligence is important but only when it human-centered.
Distinguished guests,
Moving forward, ambition alone is not enough.
Let’s walk that path together with courage and collective resolve.
We need the courage to act in good faith, the wisdom to prioritize the common good, and the humility to listen.
Despite the daunting challenges, I remain hopeful as I see young people mobilizing across borders. I see scientists collaborating across disciplines.
I see artists, educators, elders, and communities all working to preserve our shared humanity.
The demand for transformation is not only coming from conference halls and political chambers — it is rising from the ground up. We only have give these voices the space.
Transformation, as this conference reminds us, is both a challenge and an opportunity. It asks us not only to critique what is, but to imagine what could be — and to work tirelessly toward that vision.
Let us choose cooperation over confrontation. Let us choose equity over exclusion. Let us choose dialogue over division — and peace over posturing.
Let us remember, as Fyodor Dostoevsky once wrote: “The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.”
Let that “something” be a world built on mutual respect, shared dignity, and the enduring hope that through collective action, we can transform not only our systems — but ourselves.
I thank you.