Algerian Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in charge of the National Community Abroad, Sofiane Chaib, led on Sunday the Algerian delegation at the 11th International Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, held in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
In his speech during the high-level meeting of the Group of Friends of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Sofiane Chaib, speaking on behalf of Algeria, advocated for the development of a comprehensive approach based primarily on cooperation and the strengthening of intellectual, cultural, religious, and scientific ties among peoples and nations, the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
He emphasized the necessity of reinforcing the UN Alliance of Civilizations initiative and equipping it with the mechanisms needed to implement the principles and objectives of the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other relevant international instruments, the statement said.
Chaib also highlighted Algeria’s efforts at the international level to promote the values of living together in peace, particularly by sharing its experience in resolving conflicts through peaceful means and combating terrorism and violent extremism. In doing so, he drew inspiration from the values embodied by Emir Abdelkader, the founder of modern Algeria, who is regarded as a symbol of dialogue between civilizations worldwide and one of the pioneers in establishing the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.
Moreover, he outlined the various mechanisms adopted by Algeria at the national level to reject all forms of violence and hatred and to promote the values of tolerance, solidarity, peace, dialogue, dignity, and justice, the source said, adding that this was reflected in the adoption of a law combating hate speech, followed by the establishment of a national observatory tasked with monitoring and addressing such practices.
This year’s international forum, held under the theme: “Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity: Advancing a New Era of Mutual Respect and Understanding in a Multipolar World,” featured the participation of the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres; the UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations and Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, Ángel Moratinos; as well as numerous government representatives and influential international figures, alongside young leaders and women activists engaged in promoting peace and fostering understanding among cultures and religious communities.
The current session of this forum coincides with the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, which serves as a platform for cultural dialogue, cooperation, and understanding. It aims to help bridge divisions, combat intolerance, extremism, and exclusion, reject all forms of violence, and address the rise of hate speech, marginalization, and Islamophobia.
