Ahead of the 11th Global Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Miguel Ángel Moratinos urged youth worldwide to reclaim peace as a global priority. He emphasized that the future depends on a generation willing to prioritize dialogue over division and humanity over hatred, highlighting the critical role young people play in shaping a peaceful world.
Reflecting on the Alliance’s 20-year history, Mr. Moratinos noted that the international order has shifted from unipolar in 2005, when the Alliance was established by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, to a multipolar world with emerging powers in the Arab world, Asia, Africa, and Latin America seeking recognition and influence. He stressed that the Alliance is uniquely positioned to bring diverse voices together and foster dialogue amid increasing global complexity, calling for a stronger commitment to listening, understanding, and intercultural cooperation.
Among the pressing challenges identified was the rise of artificial intelligence, which Mr. Moratinos said must remain human-centered and guided by ethics, values, and human decision-making. He warned of the dangers of surrendering moral responsibility to machines and highlighted the Alliance’s role in safeguarding human values and ethical frameworks in an increasingly technological world.
Mr. Moratinos also addressed the resurgence of hate speech, particularly online, warning that hate begins with words but can escalate to exclusion, violence, and conflict. He underscored the importance of promoting counter-narratives and fostering understanding, noting that youth, who spend much of their lives in virtual spaces, are central to these efforts. He urged young people to reconnect with real-life relationships, cultures, and communities to foster genuine human connection.
Finally, he stressed that the world has become overly focused on security at the expense of peace. Highlighting the human toll of conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, he argued that true security cannot be achieved without peace and that humanity must prioritize saving itself. Mr. Moratinos concluded that young people hold the power to ensure that the 21st century becomes the last scarred by war, making peace with a capital “P” the guiding principle for current and future generations.
