The 11th Global Forum opened in Riyadh on Sunday with a call for increased international dialogue, framing it as a crucial strategy for survival in a world marked by distrust and conflict.
UN Alliance of Civilizations Forum: Dialogue as a Survival Strategy
Participants gathered in the Saudi capital are expected to emphasize that cooperation across cultures, religions, and communities is the only viable path forward amid rising polarization and conflict.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres defended the Alliance’s mission against criticism, asserting that diplomacy and cooperation are not optional but essential. He warned against dismissing dialogue as naive.
Two decades after its launch in 2005 with support from Spain and Türkiye, the Alliance’s core purpose remains countering extremism and intolerance and fostering dignified coexistence among different cultures and faiths. Guterres described a paradox of increased connectivity alongside growing fragmentation, outlining two potential futures: one of fear and escalating conflict, and another built on intercultural bridges.
He stressed that sustainable peace requires avoiding further tragedies, stating, “No more 7th of Octobers. No more Gazas destroyed. No more El‑Fashers starved. No more communities massacred, expelled, or scapegoated.”
Guterres identified young people, women and girls, and people of faith as key drivers of positive global change, urging delegates to advance the Alliance’s mission “with courage, clarity, and hope.”
Riyadh Communiqué: a call for coexistence
Countries participating in the Forum endorsed the Riyadh Communiqué, which prioritizes combating all forms of religious intolerance. The document highlights the central role of education in fostering dialogue, human rights, and peaceful societies, reaffirming the Alliance’s commitment to strengthening cooperation and promoting respect and inclusion.
Equal voices, shared responsibility
UNAOC High Representative Miguel Moratinos, also the UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, stressed the importance of ensuring every culture has an equal voice in shaping the world’s future. He warned of “the return of hatred” and urged vigilance against growing discrimination, emphasizing that human diversity is a source of strength.
Moratinos underscored that Islam is a religion of peace and reiterated the need to eradicate Islamophobia, while also insisting that antisemitism must be eradicated and that legitimate criticism of governments should not be misconstrued as antisemitism or used to demonize entire communities.
Saudi Arabia’s message: Lean into dialogue, don’t retreat
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to intercultural dialogue, stating that Saudi support for the Alliance reflects a belief in the essential role of engagement among cultures and civilizations in promoting peace and preventing conflict.
He highlighted Saudi initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue and countering extremism, while also warning of the increasing spread of extremist movements and hate speech. He argued that these challenges should reinforce, not abandon, the values of dialogue and coexistence.
Representatives from Spain and Türkiye also reaffirmed the enduring importance of inclusion, mutual respect, and sustained dialogue.
Deepfakes, hate speech, and the push for regulation
The Forum also addressed the challenges posed by AI-driven misinformation, with speakers warning that deepfakes, algorithm-amplified hate speech, and unregulated systems are negatively reshaping public debate.
Ismail Serageldin, co-chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, urged the public not to fear new technologies, comparing the current moment to the invention of the calculator. He argued that society will adapt and that AI, with proper safeguards, could improve work-life balance.
Achraf Tasfaout, a data scientist, warned that AI is accelerating the spread of hate speech and making it harder to distinguish between real and fabricated content. He called for clear rules to enable innovation while protecting the public.
Atif Rashid, Editor‑in‑Chief of Analyst News, cautioned that AI systems are being released “too quickly” without essential safety measures, describing a situation where “humans are guinea pigs” and regulation often follows widespread public exposure. He stressed the need for AI systems designed to serve all of humanity, grounded in human values.
The UN media team will continue to cover the remainder of the Forum. Updates will be available on UN News, WebTV, and UNifeed.
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