KAICIID Secretary General Dr. Zuhair Alharthi Advocates For Interreligious Dialogue At UNAOC Meeting

Dr. Zuhair Alharthi, Secretary-General of the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), recently attended a significant meeting at the United Nations headquarters in New York. This gathering was part of the Group of Friends of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC). During his speech, Alharthi highlighted how interreligious and intercultural dialogue can play a vital role in promoting global peace and understanding.

Alharthi's discussions with Miguel Ángel Moratinos, the High Representative for UNAOC, focused on strengthening cooperation between KAICIID and UNAOC. They aimed to promote values of mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among different communities. Their talks also included preparations for the 10th UNAOC Global Forum, which will take place in Portugal, where KAICIID is headquartered.

The meeting coincided with the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. It reviewed UNAOC's initiatives to enhance coexistence and understanding among civilizations. Alharthi stressed that constructive dialogue could help address pressing global challenges. He also engaged with key officials from various organizations to explore ways to foster cooperation in promoting dialogue and tackling global issues.

Alharthi underscored the importance of collaboration between KAICIID, the UN, and its associated offices in nurturing a culture of peace worldwide. This partnership is essential in combating rising extremism and hatred that fuel conflicts and wars in some regions. He pointed out that KAICIID prioritizes international partnerships to advance peace among diverse religions and cultures.

The upcoming forum aims to boost international efforts in intercultural dialogue while addressing shared global challenges. Alharthi emphasized that these collaborations are central to KAICIID's strategy for achieving its ambitious goals. By working together, they hope to enhance global security and stability through dialogue.

Alharthi's participation at this high-level meeting reflects KAICIID's commitment to fostering dialogue as a means to mitigate conflicts worldwide. The center continues to focus on building partnerships that support its mission of promoting peace across different cultural and religious landscapes.

With inputs from SPA