The 11th Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) opened in Riyadh today, issuing a powerful and unified message that intercultural dialogue is not a luxury, but an essential “survival strategy” in an increasingly fragmented world.
Bringing together government officials, faith leaders, and experts in the Saudi capital, the two-day forum affirmed the central role of cooperation in countering extremism, intolerance, and rising global polarization.
In a world more connected yet more fractured than ever, building bridges across faiths, cultures and civilizations is bold, essential, and urgent.
“The mission of the @UNAOC has never mattered more.”
– @antonioguterres‘ full remarks: https://t.co/kfkNzmH0l7 pic.twitter.com/EhLeVmnNX9
— UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) December 14, 2025
Secretary-General Highlights Imperative for Peace
In a compelling opening address, UN Secretary-General António Guterres pushed back against critics who deem diplomacy “too soft for our hard world,” stressing that cooperation is non-optional. He outlined two starkly divergent paths for humanity: one defined by fear and escalating conflicts, and the other built on bridges between cultures.
“No more 7th of Octobers. No more Gazas destroyed. No more El‑Fashers starved,” the Secretary-General stated, emphasizing that only the path of dialogue leads to sustainable peace. He urged delegates to mobilize young people, women, and people of faith to drive positive global change.
Riyadh Communiqué Endorsed
The participating nations unanimously endorsed the Riyadh Communiqué, a document that elevates combating all forms of religious intolerance as a global priority. The Communiqué underscores the vital role of education in fostering human rights, mutual understanding, and inclusion, and reaffirms UNAOC’s founding mission to strengthen cooperation among cultures and religions.
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UNAOC High Representative Miguel Moratinos reiterated that a peaceful global community must draw on the wisdom of all civilizations, warning against “the return of hatred.” Mr. Moratinos, who also serves as the UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, stressed the need to eradicate both Islamophobia and antisemitism, ensuring that legitimate criticism of governments is not weaponized to demonize entire communities.
Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Commitment
Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, reaffirmed the Kingdom’s “longstanding commitment to intercultural dialogue.” He stated that in the face of increasing religiously and nationally motivated extremist movements and a worrying rise in hate speech, nations must reinforce, not abandon, the values of communication and coexistence.
The Challenge of AI, and Misinformation
The Forum also tackled the critical challenges posed by rapidly evolving technology. Speakers warned that AI-driven misinformation, deepfakes, and algorithm-amplified hate speech are accelerating social fragmentation. While recognizing the transformative potential of AI, delegates called for smart regulations and safety measures to ensure new systems serve all of humanity and are grounded firmly in human values.
The Forum concluded with a collective commitment from all participants to implement the principles of the Riyadh Communiqué and use intercultural dialogue as the primary tool for conflict prevention and global stability.
