United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: DD News
Subject: International Organisation
Context: India reaffirmed its civilisational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and Sarva Dharma Samabhav at the 11th United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
About United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC):
• What it is? UNAOC is a United Nations initiative that seeks to improve understanding and cooperation among nations and peoples across cultures and religions, and to counter extremism through dialogue and partnership.
• UNAOC is a United Nations initiative that seeks to improve understanding and cooperation among nations and peoples across cultures and religions, and to counter extremism through dialogue and partnership.
• Established in: 2005, as a political initiative of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, co-sponsored by Spain and Türkiye.
• Headquarters: New York, United States.
• Aim: To reduce polarization between societies and cultures, strengthen intercultural dialogue, and promote peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies.
• Functions / Priority areas:
• Education: Promoting intercultural learning and curricula. Youth: Empowering youth as agents of peace. Migration: Advancing inclusion and social cohesion. Media: Countering stereotypes and hate speech. Women as peace mediators: Strengthening women’s role in peacebuilding. Building partnerships with states, civil society, faith leaders, academia, media, arts, sports, and the private sector.
• Education: Promoting intercultural learning and curricula.
• Youth: Empowering youth as agents of peace.
• Migration: Advancing inclusion and social cohesion.
• Media: Countering stereotypes and hate speech.
• Women as peace mediators: Strengthening women’s role in peacebuilding.
• Building partnerships with states, civil society, faith leaders, academia, media, arts, sports, and the private sector.
About UNAOC 2025 (11th Edition)
• Host: Saudi Arabia, Riyadh.
• Theme: “UNAOC: Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity—Advancing a New Era of Mutual Respect and Understanding in a Multipolar World”.
• Outcomes / Highlights:
• Renewed global commitment to dialogue, mutual respect, and religious harmony amid conflicts and trust deficits in multilateralism. Marked 20 years of UNAOC, setting the course for its third decade. Broad participation of political leaders, international organizations, religious and faith actors, youth, civil society, media, arts and sports to advance peacebuilding through dialogue.
• Renewed global commitment to dialogue, mutual respect, and religious harmony amid conflicts and trust deficits in multilateralism.
• Marked 20 years of UNAOC, setting the course for its third decade.
• Broad participation of political leaders, international organizations, religious and faith actors, youth, civil society, media, arts and sports to advance peacebuilding through dialogue.