On October 1, 2024, in New York, Secretary-General of the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), Dr. Zuhair Alharthi, took part in a high-level meeting of the Group of Friends of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) at the UN headquarters. This prestigious gathering brought together esteemed leaders and representatives to discuss the crucial role of interreligious and intercultural dialogue in fostering global peace and mutual understanding.
During his address, Dr. Alharthi emphasized the significance of constructive dialogue in addressing pressing global challenges, shedding light on the pressing need for collaboration between nations, cultures, and religions. He highlighted the importance of KAICIID's mission to promote peace and dialogue among diverse religions and cultures, and its commitment to international partnerships to achieve this goal.
The meeting took place alongside the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, providing a platform for reviewing UNAOC's efforts to strengthen coexistence and understanding among civilizations. Dr. Alharthi also engaged in discussions with the High Representative for the UNAOC, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, to reinforce values of mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among diverse communities. Their talks focused on bolstering collaboration between KAICIID and UNAOC in promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue.
The two sides also discussed preparations for the 10th UNAOC Global Forum, scheduled to be held in Portugal, which is also the headquarters of KAICIID. The forum aims to enhance international efforts in intercultural dialogue and address common global challenges.
In addition to his meeting with UNAOC officials, Dr. Alharthi held discussions with key officials from various organizations to explore ways to boost cooperation in fostering dialogue and tackling global challenges. His goal was to enhance global security and stability by promoting a culture of peace and dialogue worldwide.
Dr. Alharthi emphasized the importance of collaboration between KAICIID, the UN, and its affiliated offices in fostering a culture of peace and dialogue globally. This partnership is crucial in addressing the escalating extremism and hatred in some communities that perpetuate conflicts and wars.
He stressed that KAICIID prioritizes international partnerships to promote peace and dialogue among diverse religions and cultures, as these collaborations are fundamental to KAICIID's strategy to accomplish its ambitious objectives.