Rabat – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is attending the ninth Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), which opened on Tuesday in Morocco’s Fez.
Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita welcomed the UN chief upon his arrival at the event.
Bourita welcomed the guests along with High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Miguel Angel Moratinos.
The forum will feature several speeches and sessions, discussing a variety of themes, including advancing interreligious intercultural, and inter-civilizational dialogue.
The events will also discuss the role of religious leaders in promoting peace.
The event reflects Morocco’s role and efforts in combating racism and promoting intercultural and religious tolerance. The North African country is frequently commended for its efforts in promoting dialogue on topics of intercultural and interfaith.
In June, Morocco’s Tangier hosted the “Tangier Dialogue” international conference, convening high-level officials to emphasize the importance of embracing diversity and promoting interreligious dialogue.
The event featured a video message, in which US Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomed Morocco’s efforts in combating racism and promoting interreligious dialogue.
“The fact that this dialogue is happening in Tangier, a historic crossroads city where people of different nationalities and faiths have traveled, settled, and shared knowledge and culture for centuries, is especially fitting,” Blinken said.
US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Deborah Lipstadt echoed Blinken’s sentiment on November 15, during her visit to Morocco.
“This is a precious opportunity for me to interact directly with the Jewish community in Morocco, especially given the importance of this community and its history,” she said, emphasizing Morocco’s place in the long history of the Jewish community.
