The Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdullah Khaleel called for greater investment in dialogue that is based on practicality, inclusivity and backed by a key focus on human dignity. He made the statement at the 11th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In his intervention, Minister Khaleel stated that for countries like the Maldives, dialogue is more than just a diplomatic courtesy but rather, an important tool to ensure resilience, national identity, security and continuity. He shed light on the fact that climate induced risks are not a singular threat, but a multifaceted risk that not only endangers the physical territory but also cultural inheritance and social cohesion. Furthermore, The Minister also touched upon the risks of misinformation in a digital age. He warned that the digital world has become a new platform to create misunderstanding, where hostility can be manufactured rapidly and with lasting consequences.
The Minister urged international partners to strengthen their collective capacity to anticipate emerging global divides — environmental, social, and digital — and to reaffirm their shared responsibility to ensure that diversity serves as a source of stability rather than tension.
The gathering for the 11th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisation focused on exploring the underlying drivers of polarisation between societies and cultures, the consequent decline in trust in global governance and multilateral cooperation, and on identifying a programme of action to foster understanding, rebuild confidence, and prevent emerging global divides.
The United Nations Alliance of Civilisations, established in 2005, serves as a leading global platform for fostering mutual respect among cultures, countering polarisation, and promoting inclusive dialogue. The Group currently includes 161 members, comprising 131 UN Member States, 1 non-member state, and 29 international organisations representing all continents, societies, and cultures.