Keynote Address by Under-Secretary-General Miguel Ángel Moratinos,
High Representative for UNAOC and UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia,
at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) Event on
“India’s Civilizational Ethos of Pluralism: A Model for Interfaith Harmony”
New Delhi – April 2026
Your Excellency Ambassador, Ngulkham Jathom Gangte,
Acting Deputy Director General of ICWA,
Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
It is an honour to address the Indian Council of World Affairs — an institution that has, for generations, shaped thinking on diplomacy, international relations, and the shared responsibilities of our global community. Standing here today, I am reminded that ideas have always been among humanity’s most powerful tools for peace. Winning hearts and minds by the power of word and meaningful debate rather than by the might of arms.
This Council’s long-standing dedication to dialogue, research, and strategic understanding mirrors the mission of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations: to create spaces where cultures, nations, and peoples encounter one another not as rivals, but as partners.
It is therefore fitting that this gathering is framed around a theme that speaks to India’s deepest civilizational inheritance: “India’s Civilizational Ethos of Pluralism: A Model for Interfaith Harmony.”
This ethos — shaped over millennia — represents not only a philosophical foundation, but a lived reality for countless communities who have engaged with one another, learned from one another, and enriched one another.
Today’s world asks us to navigate profound transitions. We live in an era where technology accelerates change, where misinformation spreads faster than truth, where conflicts in one region ripple across continents, and where societies face pressures that test the resilience of social harmony.
But we also live in a time of unprecedented possibilities. We can connect more rapidly than ever before. We can learn from one another’s histories, cultures, and innovations with just a few clicks. We have the tools to build bridges — but only if we also nurture the will. And only if we know how to make these tools rooted in the human agency.
This brings me to the AI Impact Summit for the Global South which India hosted in February this year.
The global message that came out from this summit was — and I quote the United Nations Secretary-General:
“Real impact means technology that improves lives and protects the planet.
So let’s build AI for everyone – with dignity as the default setting.”
Distinguished guests,
Esteemed members of the ICWA,
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations was created on a simple but powerful truth: there can be no lasting peace without understanding, no sustainable development without inclusion, and no true security without trust among peoples based on a genuine dialogue — one where people listen to each other.
Our purpose is not to judge. It is to listen. It is to accompany Member States, communities, leaders, educators, and youth in strengthening the fabric of coexistence that holds societies together and fosters communal cohesion.
In this respect, India’s long civilizational commitment to pluralism — the very theme of this event — offers a living example of how diverse identities can coexist, grow, and flourish together.
From ancient traditions of philosophical dialogue to its vibrant modern democracy, India’s contributions to intercultural understanding enrich our collective efforts.
Amid rising polarization, extremism, discrimination, hate speech, and the misuse of technology, our greatest strength remains our ability to come together — and in renewing our commitment to one another — forging bold, intersectional cooperation across cultures, faiths, and civilizations with the conviction that collaboration, respect, and shared purpose can transform even the most daunting challenges.
Allow me to outline three priorities we believe are central to this shared agenda:
First, we must invest in education.
Education does more than impart knowledge. It shapes worldviews. It teaches young people how to disagree respectfully, how to understand complexity, how to appreciate identities beyond their own. ICWA’s partnerships with academic institutions and diplomatic academies make it an ideal platform to advance this priority.
Second, we must empower youth as agents of peace.
Young people are not just beneficiaries of policy; they are authors of the future. They bring dynamism, creativity, and courage to the work of building more inclusive societies. UNAOC’s youth-led programs and intercultural initiatives are avenues we look forward to strengthen and expand. In this respect, I am pleased that in the past years we have collaborated with youth-led organizations from India through our collaboration with the UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development. In addition, through our partnership with BMW Group, we have mentored and supported grassroots initiatives such as Shreeja India, which uses sports based education to empower underprivileged women. Our vast alumni network includes more than 40 from India.
Third, we must nurture and sustain dialogue across cultures, religions, and civilizations.
Dialogue does not mean uniformity. It means the ability to coexist with dignity, to navigate differences without fear, and to find shared purpose even when perspectives diverge. In every region of the world, we have seen how dialogue can prevent crises, mend fractures, and rebuild trust.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Our world today needs more listening, not less. It needs more cooperation, not greater division. It needs platforms where difficult conversations can be held with respect and clarity.
I stand here today not only to deliver a keynote, but to re-iterate the importance of strengthening UNAOC partnership with India’s institutions, scholars, diplomats, civil society, and young people.
As a leading voice of the Global South, India has consistently embraced the values of diversity, multilateralism, and cross cultural understanding — values that resonate deeply with the mission of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations.
Together, we can build the foundations for peace that endure not only in our time, but for generations to come.
I thank you.