Remarks by Under-Secretary-General Miguel Ángel Moratinos,
High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC),
and UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia,
at the Second International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations
Your Excellency,
Mr. Fu Cong, Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
It is my great pleasure to address this High-level Event, marking the second observance of the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations.
I extend my sincere appreciation to the People’s Republic of China for its vision and commitment, which led to the establishment of this important international observance. I also thank today’s co-sponsors and all those who continue to champion dialogue, mutual understanding, and cooperation among civilizations as essential foundations for peace.
Today, we gather at a moment of profound global uncertainty.
Across regions, we witness growing confrontation, persistence of armed conflicts, accelerating social fragmentation, an alarming increase in hate speech, racism, xenophobia, and religious intolerance. Technological transformation is proceeding at an unprecedented pace, while many societies struggle with fear, mistrust, and polarization.
In such a context, the observance of this International Day is not merely symbolic. It is necessary.
More than ever, dialogue among civilizations must be recognized as a strategic imperative for our common future.
Dialogue allows us to bridge differences without erasing identities. It enables us to build trust without demanding uniformity. It creates the conditions for cooperation while preserving the rich diversity that defines humanity.
For the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, this conviction lies at the heart of our mandate.
UNAOC remains committed to serving as a global platform for intercultural and interreligious dialogue, bringing together governments, international organizations, civil society, youth, and the private sector to foster mutual understanding and to advance peaceful and inclusive societies.
Since its creation, UNAOC has worked to counter narratives of division and confrontation. We have consistently affirmed a simple but powerful truth, civilizations are capable of learning from one another, enriching one another, and working together in pursuit of common goals.
I am reminded of the words of the late Pope Saint Paul VI who coined the phrase “the civilization of love”, when he dreamed of a world where justice and charity intertwined with love become the guiding principles of our life. I was delighted when His Holiness Pope Leo XIV recently echoed the same message.
In that regard, the Alliance remains true to its founding motto: “Many Cultures, One Humanity.”
Excellencies,
Throughout history, civilizations have flourished not in isolation, but through cooperation and exchange. The greatest advances in science, philosophy, literature, medicine, and the arts emerged when societies engaged with one another across borders and cultures.
T
his historical reality carries an important lesson for our present.
Diversity was never a threat to stability. On the contrary, it is our source of resilience, creativity, and innovation. It broadens horizons and expands our collective capacity to address the complex challenges of our time. At a moment when some seek to exploit cultural, ethnic, or religious differences for political gain, we must reaffirm that our diversity is one of humanity’s greatest assets.
Excellencies,
Dialogue among civilizations must not remain confined to conference halls and diplomatic forums. It must be translated into concrete action. It must be reflected in educational systems that promote mutual respect and global citizenship. It must be supported by media that builds understanding rather than amplify division. It must be advanced through cultural exchanges, youth engagement, and inclusive public policies. And it must be protected in our digital spaces, where intolerance can spread with unprecedented speed.
Dialogue is not an event. It is continuous practice.
In this context, we must also reflect on the rapid development of artificial intelligence. While AI offers unprecedented opportunities to advance knowledge and connectivity, it also carries risks when misused to amplify division, misinformation, and hatred. We bear a shared responsibility to ensure that technology serves to protect and uplift our civilizations, safeguarding human dignity and strengthening the values that unite us as one humanity.
The International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations invites us to reaffirm a simple yet profound principle. Our shared humanity is greater than our differences. Our destinies are connected. Our challenges are shared. And our future depends on our ability to cooperate across all divides.
Let us ensure that dialogue among civilizations remains at the heart of multilateralism and at the center of our efforts to build a more peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable world.
Many cultures. One humanity.
I thank you.