Speaking to UN News ahead of the 11th Global Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Miguel Ángel Moratinos urged youth worldwide to make peace a global priority. He emphasized that the future depends on a generation willing to choose dialogue over division and humanity over hatred.
Reflecting on the Alliance’s 20-year history since its creation by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2005, Mr. Moratinos highlighted how the world has shifted from a unipolar to a multipolar order, with emerging powers in the Arab world, Asia, Africa, and Latin America demanding recognition. He stressed that the Alliance is uniquely positioned to bring diverse voices together, fostering dialogue and understanding in an increasingly complex world.
Among the pressing issues identified was artificial intelligence, which Mr. Moratinos described as a transformative force with significant challenges. He warned that AI must remain human-centered and guided by ethics, values, and human decision-making, cautioning against surrendering moral responsibility to machines.
He also addressed the resurgence of hate speech, particularly online, noting that hate often begins with words but escalates to exclusion, violence, and conflict. The Alliance is investing in programs that promote counter-narratives and understanding, with youth playing a central role. He emphasized the need to balance virtual engagement with real-life human connection, where relationships, cultures, and communities are nurtured.
Mr. Moratinos argued that the world has become overly focused on security while neglecting peace. He stressed that true security cannot exist without peace and highlighted the human toll of ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan. He called on youth to champion “Peace with a capital P” as the guiding principle for the future, believing that they have the power to ensure the 21st century is the last marred by war.
