Riyadh: Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji participated in the high-level meeting of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) today, held in the presence of United Nations Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres and UNAOC High Representative Miguelngel Moratinos, on the sidelines of the 11th session of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Global Forum in Riyadh.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the vice foreign minister delivered a speech affirming that the Kingdom's hosting of the 11th session stems from its belief in the importance of constructive dialogue as a tool for promoting understanding and building bridges of communication between peoples and cultures. He noted that the forum represents an important platform for exchanging views on relevant issues and addressing common challenges.

He stated that the meeting coincides with the 20th anniversary of the alliance's founding in 2005, providing an opportunity to review the achievements made during this period. He added that convening the 11th session necessitates a reassessment of current mechanisms to address the challenges and issues that have emerged over the past two decades.

The vice minister of foreign affairs highlighted Saudi Arabia's contribution to the establishment of the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) and its support for United Nations resolutions aimed at countering hate speech and extremism. He emphasized that the call for dialogue remains a firmly established principle, but stressed that it will not achieve its objectives without genuine international and national will, supported by practical steps.

In closing, he highlighted the Kingdom's commitment to continued cooperation with the alliance and friendly nations, its dedication to supporting efforts aimed at strengthening understanding among peoples, and its aspiration for joint action that translates these values into practical initiatives serving peace and social cohesion at both the regional and international levels.