Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Chairs Opening Of The 11th UNAOC Global Forum In Riyadh

The 11th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) commenced in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event, themed "Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity: Advancing a New Era of Mutual Respect and Understanding in a Multipolar World," was inaugurated by Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. Attendees included UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UNAOC High Representative Miguel Ángel Moratinos, foreign ministers, political and religious leaders, and civil society representatives.

Prince Faisal highlighted the significance of Saudi Arabia hosting the forum as a testament to its commitment to fostering dialogue, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence among different cultures. He noted that Saudi Vision 2030 is rooted in moderation and openness towards other civilizations while actively opposing hate speech and extremism. This vision underscores the Kingdom's dedication to promoting global understanding.

Emphasizing the role of youth, Prince Faisal stated: "They are the leaders of the future and messengers of peace. In this context, I cannot help but express my great pleasure at seeing such a large number of young people in this hall." A youth forum is also taking place alongside the main event. Additionally, the venue will witness the graduation ceremony for the eighth cohort of the Young Leaders Qualification Program under the Salam Project for Civilizational Communication.

The forum serves as a platform to evaluate past efforts and share ideas on managing diversity through communication among various civilizations and religions. It aims to review two decades of global dialogue achievements, address current challenges, and envision future collaborative actions to enhance mutual understanding. Building bridges that support international peace and stability remains a key objective.

Saudi Vision 2030 embodies a national strategy focused on moderation and openness. It seeks to engage with other civilizations while confronting hate speech and extremism. The initiative reflects Saudi Arabia's ongoing support for United Nations efforts in promoting dialogue among different cultures.

The forum's discussions aim to explore ways to manage diversity by fostering communication between various civilizations and religions. This gathering provides an opportunity for exchanging views on how best to build bridges that facilitate peaceful coexistence globally.

The presence of numerous young participants underscores their importance as future leaders who can drive positive change. The forum highlights their role as messengers of peace, emphasizing their potential impact on fostering mutual respect across cultures.

In conclusion, this UNAOC forum represents a significant step towards enhancing global dialogue and understanding. By focusing on youth engagement and promoting values like tolerance and coexistence, it seeks to create a more harmonious world where diverse cultures can thrive together peacefully.

With inputs from SPA