Rabat — Royal Advisor Andre Azoulay reflected on Morocco’s unique approach to diversity and inclusion during the 10th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) on Tuesday.
Speaking at a plenary session attended by prominent global leaders, Azoulay talked about Morocco’s role as a beacon of coexistence in an era increasingly marked by division and exclusion.
Azoulay emphasized that under King Mohammed VI’s leadership, Morocco has embraced diversity as the cornerstone of its social modernity.
“In a world plagued by the illusions of exclusion and rejection, Morocco embodies the values of the Alliance of Civilizations by fostering dialogue, mutual respect, and understanding across cultural and religious divides,” he said.
The forum, held under the theme “United in Peace for a New Future,” gathered dignitaries including Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Spanish King Felipe VI, and UNAOC High Representative Miguel Ángel Moratinos.
Azoulay highlighted Morocco’s unique ability to convene Muslims, Jews, and Christians on Islamic soil, united in shared values of peace and mutual respect.
“This reflects a reality that Morocco has built over centuries, remaining steadfast in its commitment to justice, dignity, and coexistence,” he told the audience.
Reflecting on the origins of UNAOC, Azoulay noted that its creation was a response to divisive global narratives predicting a clash of civilizations.
Morocco, he argued, continues to stand as a counterpoint to such perspectives, advocating dialogue and understanding as tools for fostering global harmony.
However, Azoulay did not shy away from critiquing contemporary global dynamics. He warned that the world has regressed in recent decades, with outdated and exclusionary ideologies resurfacing. “We have all regressed; the world has regressed,” he lamented.
He called on the United Nations to remain a bastion of rationality and peace, safeguarding the fragile progress achieved by civilizations.
Azoulay also reaffirmed Morocco’s unwavering support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing the need for a resolution rooted in justice, dignity, and equal rights.
Established in 2005 as a UN initiative co-sponsored by Spain and Türkiye, UNAOC aims to bridge cultural divides and combat polarization by promoting education, youth engagement, media literacy, migration dialogue, and women’s empowerment.
