HE Al-Nasr Vows to Identify UNAOC Functionality, Structure, Finances

Vienna, February 27 (QNA) - U.N. High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations HE Nasser Abdulaziz Al-Nasr has reiterated the significance of the alliance at a time when the world is experiencing historical transformations and substantial political, social, economic, and environmental challenges. Addressing the 5th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), which launched Wednesday, HE Al-Nasr said the Charters of the United Nations, the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council and other bodies are sources for international law, which prohibits discrimination and marginalization on grounds of religion, race, xenophobia and intolerance. He noted that human rights principles are clear, but the means of promoting and applying them in societies is the responsibility of leaderships. "We have responsibility towards the expectations of our people. These challenges threaten our efforts to reach our shared goals of peace and security, sustainable development and human rights. Without responsible leadership that provides dialogue, these encounters may affect our ability to co-exist on our small planet." Al-Nasr noted that it is responsible leadership that can create social cohesion, where every man and woman feel included, adding that the Alliance's legitimacy and effectiveness depend more than ever before, on responsible and visionary leaderships, with good decision-making. Outlining specific issues to be addressed in the UNAOC vision, he started with building on previous achievements and move further to additional goals. "Through various activities in the areas of Youth, Education, Media, and Migration, the UNAOC is developing strategies and disseminating peace. There are current achievements that we can build upon. There are programs with impact that I will upscale, and other activities that can be established," HE UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations noted. He added that partnerships and cooperation in the multilateral system is another issue he intends to focus on, stressing that the Alliance can't implement its goals alone. "I will focus on strengthening the active role of the Alliance. I will strive to ensure that the Alliance can interact with the rest of the UN system components. I will ensure improved, expanded, and constructive cooperation with various UN organs, specialized agencies and subsidiary bodies. That means more coordination with the UN System and granting the Alliance practical means of implementation," HE Nasser Abdulaziz Al-Nasr said. He added that another issue the Alliance will address is the initiation of complementary concepts and tools to defuse tensions that emanate from cultural differences and threaten international peace and security. "Today, we still witness intolerance, xenophobia, and incitement to hatred. In some societies, culture is perceived as source of division, instead of path to dialogue and human solidarity. In some regions minorities are subject to atrocities including mass killings, only because they belong to different cultures. Holy books are burned and religious symbols are defamed," he said. However, Al-Nasr stressed that human values like sports, art, and music can help in the dissemination of the culture of peace. "These new activities can be invested to serve the message of the Alliance," he added. As for the UNAOC's development agenda, Al-Nasser said that harmony among the different groups within a society is much needed for stability, which in turn results in the achievement of sustainable development and prosperity. He noted that in line with his duties, he will decide on how the Alliance should operate, how it should be structured, and how its finances should be in order to accomplish its task. "Alliance is grateful for the generous contributions of many Member States. However, as we consider future activities we must take steps to improve the level and type of predictable funding," he said, adding that "the transition to a new leadership creates new opportunities for restructuring the Alliance institution." Concluding his address, HE Al-Nasr vowed to work closely and interact with the U.N. system, member states, media, the business sector, academia and civil society. "Through our joint efforts that we can promote the noble goals of the Alliance, preserve international peace and security and strengthen relations between nations and cultures. This openness and pragmatism will represent essential elements for the work of the Alliance," said the U.N. High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations. HE Al-Nasr had hailed the support he received from the State of Qatar under the leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and expressed thanks to HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser for her role in creating and supporting the Alliance as member of the High Level Group. (QNA)