11th United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)

Why in News

• India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted India’s civilizational ethos at the 11th UNAOC Global Forum, stressing:
  • Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – The world is one family
  • Sarva Dharma Sambhav – Equal respect for all religions
• These principles were projected as India’s contribution to global peace, pluralism, and dialogue.

11th UNAOC Global Forum

• Venue: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Dates: 14–15 December
• Host: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Theme:
  “UNAOC: Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity – Advancing a New Era of Mutual Respect and Understanding in a Multipolar World”

About UNAOC

• Established: 2005
• Founder: Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General
• Co-sponsors: Spain and Turkey
• Headquarters: New York
• Nature: A UN political initiative

Objectives of UNAOC

• Address:
  • Polarisation between cultures and societies
  • Extremism, intolerance, and discrimination
• Promote:
  • Inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue
  • Peaceful coexistence
  • Mutual understanding in a multipolar world

High-Level Group of Experts

• Constituted by Kofi Annan
• Mandate:
  • Examine the root causes of cultural and societal polarisation