Ref: 2025/PR/372
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, spoke today at the 11th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The meeting focused on exploring the underlying drivers of polarization 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.
In his intervention, Minister Dr. Khaleel noted that for countries like the Maldives, dialogue is not merely diplomatic courtesy but a form of resilience, essential to national identity, security, and continuity. Minister Dr. Khaleel highlighted that climate-induced threats, including rising seas, endanger not only physical territory but also cultural inheritance and social cohesion. He further cautioned that the volatility of the digital sphere has become a new frontier of misunderstanding, where hostility can be manufactured rapidly and with lasting consequences.
Minister Dr. Khaleel called on the Alliance of Civilisations to invest in dialogue that is practical, inclusive, and anchored in human dignity, emphasising that cooperation is now a matter of cultural survival for vulnerable nations. He urged partners to strengthen collective capacity to anticipate emerging global divides - whether environmental, social, or digital - and to reaffirm their shared responsibility in ensuring that diversity remains a source of stability rather than tension.
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, established in 2005, serves as a leading global platform for fostering mutual respect among cultures, countering polarization, and promoting inclusive dialogue. The Group currently includes 161 members, comprising 131 UN Member States, 1 non-member state, and 29 international organizations representing all continents, societies, and cultures.
ENDS