United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)

06/15/2026

🕊️ What does peacebuilding mean to young people today? 👀

💞 For participants of the UNAOC Young Peacebuilders programme, it means creating meaningful change, building bridges across cultures, fostering dialogue, and empowering communities.

➡️ Swipe through to read reflections from Young Peacebuilders from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan as they share the lessons, experiences, and inspiration they gained through the programme.

🫵 Now it’s your turn. ⬇️

🌍 Are you a young person passionate about dialogue, inclusion, and making a positive impact in your community?

✅ Applications are now open for the 9th edition of the UNAOC Young Peacebuilders programme.

🤝 Join a global network of young changemakers, strengthen your peacebuilding skills, and turn your ideas into action. ✨



📣 Apply today! ⏰ Deadline: 31 July.

🔗 https://apply.unaoc.org/youngpeacebuilders

06/12/2026

📣 UNAOC News Flash 56 is out now!

🗞️ Check out activities and updates from the busy month of May. See high-level engagements, programming highlights, and key advocacy efforts.

🔗 Stay informed and download your copy today:

Welcome to UNAOC News Flash volume 56, covering the month of May. In this edition, we feature high-level engagements, programming highlights, and key

06/12/2026

The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the Permanent Mission of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Nations convened the launch of the Muscat Plan of Action for Traditional and Indigenous Leaders and Peoples in Countering and Addressing Hate Speech and Preventing Genocide and Atrocity Crimes and their Incitement through Peace Mediation.

The is the outcome of a global consultation process led by the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect (UNOSAPG) and the Peacemakers Network, bringing together traditional and indigenous leaders and peoples from diverse regions and backgrounds to explore their role in preventing atrocity crimes and their incitement.

“The Muscat Plan of Action draws on centuries of knowledge and the expertise of traditional and Indigenous leaders,” underscored United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in his opening remarks. “It reminds us that hate speech is both a warning sign that violence is coming – and a catalyst that speeds its arrival. To address this challenge, we need action at all levels.”

“The Plan does not seek to eliminate differences or mold together identities, but to build a space for our differences — a space where humans can coexist with dignity and where mutual respect becomes the foundation for peace,” affirmed H.E. Mohammed bin Said Al Mamari, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs of Oman.

The high-level opening was moderated by H.E. Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative for UNAOC. It was followed by a discussion on “the Road to the Muscat Plan of Action”, featuring remarks by H.E. Mr. Chaloka Beyani, Special Adviser of the Secretary-General for the Prevention of Genocide; and Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi, Executive Director of the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers.

Traditional and indigenous leaders also took the floor and shared their lived experiences, including, Grandfather Dominique Rankin, Co-Founder of Organisme Kina8at and the Dominique Rankin Foundation; Grandmother Maria-Josée Tardif, Co-Founder of Organisme Kina8at and the Dominique Rankin Foundation; Her Highness Queen Rani Yan Yan, Advisor for the Chakma Circle; and Ms. Sonia Astuhuaman Pardave, Andean Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations.

The discussions highlighted the important contributions that traditional and indigenous actors can make to conflict prevention, peace mediation, and social cohesion, drawing on their unique knowledge systems, cultural practices, and trusted community-based mechanisms.

📺 To view the launch event, visit: https://www.unaoc.org/2026/06/muscat-action-plan-launch/

06/11/2026

At the high-level event marking the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations on 10 June, Under-Secretary-General Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative for UNAOC, emphasized that “at a moment of profound global uncertainty”, the observance of this International Day “is not merely symbolic; it is necessary.”

“More than ever, dialogue among civilizations must be recognized as a strategic imperative for our common future,” he underscored. “Dialogue allows us to bridge differences without erasing identities. It enables us to build trust without demanding uniformity. It creates the conditions for cooperation while preserving the rich diversity that defines humanity. For UNAOC, this conviction lies at the heart of our mandate.”

The commemoration of the second International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations was organized by the Permanent Mission of China to the UN, in collaboration with UNAOC, UNESCO, the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN, Colombia, Ethiopia, Permanent Mission of Greece to the United Nations, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Iraq to the United Nations, and Mexico. The International Day was established by the UN General Assembly through resolution A/RES/78/286, adopted by consensus in June 2024.

Other distinguished speakers included H.E. Mr. Gustavo Petro, President of the Republic of Colombia, who delivered a special address; and H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China (via a pre-recorded statement); Ms. Sofia Borges, Chef de Cabinet of H.E. Ms. Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, who delivered a message on her behalf; Permanent Representatives of Member States; and Mr. Lyu Yonglong, Chair Professor of Xiamen University and Member of the International Resource Panel of UNEP/IRP. H.E. Mr. Fu Cong, Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China to the UN, moderated the discussion.

06/11/2026

📣 Join us today, 11 June 2026, for the official launch of the Muscat Plan of Action for Traditional and Indigenous Leaders and Peoples in Countering and Addressing Hate Speech and Preventing Genocide and Atrocity Crimes and their Incitement through Peace Mediation.

🤝 Co-organized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the Permanent Mission of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Nations, this event will highlight the vital role of traditional and Indigenous leaders and Peoples in preventing hate speech, atrocity crimes, and identity-based violence through mediation, local peacebuilding, and trusted community mechanisms.

🌐 The is the outcome of a global consultation process led by the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide (UNOSAPG) and the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, bringing together traditional and Indigenous leaders and Peoples from 45 countries to strengthen their contribution to atrocity prevention and sustainable peace. The launch aims to promote global awareness and implementation of the Plan’s recommendations, advancing more peaceful, inclusive, and resilient societies.

📅 11 June, Thursday
🕞 3-4:30PM EDT
📍 ECOSOC Chamber, United Nations, New York

📺 Watch Live ▶️ https://www.unaoc.org/2026/06/muscat-action-plan-launch/

06/02/2026

👋 Applications are now open for the 9th edition of the UNAOC Young Peacebuilders Programme!

🫵 If you're 18–25 years old and from 🇦🇲🇦🇿🇬🇪🇰🇿🇰🇬🇹🇯🇹🇲🇺🇿, join a community of young leaders committed to building more peaceful & inclusive societies. 🌐

🌍 Connect with peers across the region
💡 Develop leadership and peacebuilding skills
🤝 Learn from experts and practitioners
🎬 Deepen your learning through immersive in-person workshops
✨ Showcase your ideas and impact at a global symposium

✅ Apply today and become part of the next generation of peacebuilders. The deadline to apply is 31 July. ➡️

🔗 Learn more: https://www.unaoc.org/2026/06/apply-young-peacebuilders-ypb9/

🔗 Application form: https://apply.unaoc.org/youngpeacebuilders/

06/02/2026

🎬 Atención, jóvenes cineastas y creadores de contenido: ¡ya está aquí la edición 2026 del Festival de Videos Juveniles PLURAL+!

🫵 Este es tu momento para alzar la voz, derrochar creatividad, contar tu historia y generar un impacto positivo. 👋

📽️ Envía un cortometraje (máximo 5 minutos) abordando problemas reales para la construcción de un futuro pacífico. ¡Se aceptan todos los formatos y géneros! Desde documentales breves y ficción narrativa hasta animación, ediciones estilo TikTok o relatos cinematográficos.

👀 ¿Qué puedes conseguir?

🏆 Distinciones del Jurado Internacional en 3 categorías de edad 👉 hasta 12 años; de 13 a 17; y de 18 a 25 años.
🏆 3 Reconocimientos Especiales.
✈️ Viaje con todos los gastos cubiertos para asistir a la ceremonia PLURAL+.
🎞️ Proyecciones globales, visibilidad internacional, oportunidades y mucho más.

🔗 Envía tu corto antes del 30 junio para obtener reconocimiento internacional y la oportunidad de asistir a la ceremonia de este año 🤩: https://pluralplus.unaoc.org/submit/

06/01/2026

👋 Calling young leaders from the South Caucasus & Central Asia!

👉 Applications are now open for the 9th edition of the UNAOC Young Peacebuilders Programme!

🌍 If you are between 18 and 25 years old 🌐 and from 🇦🇲 Armenia, 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan, 🇬🇪 Georgia, 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan, 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan, 🇹🇯 Tajikistan, 🇹🇲 Turkmenistan, or 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan, this is your opportunity to strengthen your skills as an agent of peace in your community.

✅ Join a unique learning experience focused on peacebuilding, preventing violent extremism, and fostering intercultural and interfaith dialogue.

🎥 Hear from UNAOC Young Peacebuilders alumni as they share how the programme helped shape their journey. ▶️

🔗 Learn more ➡️ https://www.unaoc.org/2026/06/apply-young-peacebuilders-ypb9/

05/29/2026

🤝 In Praia, the High Representative for UNAOC, 🇺🇳 Under-Secretary-General Miguel Ángel Moratinos, met with the UN Resident Coordinator in Cabo Verde, Ms. Patricia Portela de Souza, and the UN 🇨🇻 Country Team.

Nações Unidas Cabo Verde / United Nations Cabo Verde

05/29/2026

🌎 At the International Meeting on Atlantic Creoleness in Praia, Cabo Verde 🇨🇻, Under-Secretary-General Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative for UNAOC and UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, joined H.E. Jose Maria Neves, President of Cabo Verde, to highlight Atlantic Creoleness as a living example of intercultural dialogue, coexistence and shared humanity.

Addressing the high-level opening, Mr. Moratinos emphasized, "Creoleness is a living heritage, a dynamic expression of how cultures interact, adapt and enrich one another. In a world where diversity is sometimes perceived as a challenge or a threat, Creoleness shows us that diversity is, in fact, a source of strength and innovation."

"Let us draw inspiration from the spirit of Creoleness to continue building bridges—across cultures, across regions, and across generations—so that together we may build a better future,” he concluded.



🔗 Full remarks 👉 https://www.unaoc.org/2026/05/remarks-international-meeting-on-atlantic-creoleness-cabo-verde/