U N I T E D N A T I O N S 
N A T I O N S U N I E S
THE SECRETARY- GENERAL
—
MESSAGE TO THE CONFERENCE:
“UNITED AGAINST VIOLENCE IN THE NAME OF RELIGION:
PROTECTING RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY
IN IRAQ AND SYRIA”
Vienna, 19 November 2014
Delivered by Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser,
High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
Your Eminences,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the utmost pleasure to be here with you today as High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, the UN entity which is charged with tackling the cultural and religious tensions. Today, the world is looking at us while we are discussing an emerging challenge that poses serious threat to the International Peace, Security and Human Development.
H. E. Mr Ban Ki-moon has invited me to represent the United Nations on his behalf and deliver his remarks to this auspicious gathering, and with great honor hereby I quote:
I thank His Excellency Secretary-General Faisal bin Muaammar, and commend the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue for organizing this timely conference.
You come together at a critical time. Religious and cultural diversity are under sustained attack in Iraq and Syria. Communities that have lived and worshipped side by side for centuries are being driven from their homes and subjected to unspeakable brutality.
In too many other parts of the world, religion and faith are being distorted and abused to justify atrocious violence. World religions founded upon peaceful principles are being cynically manipulated by extremists whose actions undermine the very teachings they profess to uphold.
Against this disturbing trend, I welcome the constructive efforts of religious leaders to promote inclusion, forgiveness and equality.
In Iraq, minority communities and others have been the systematic target of Da’esh, which has committed acts which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. I welcome the establishment of an inclusive Iraqi Government and look forward to its efforts to promote national reconciliation while also seeking regional engagement. This is crucial to ending terrorism and the conditions that breed it.
In Syria, international support for a political solution to the bitter conflict is critical if conflict and the sectarian tensions that have grown with it are to be ended.
The Syrian and Iraqi Governments, as well as all armed groups in areas under their effective control, have the moral and legal responsibility to protect all civilians, regardless of their religion or ethnic affiliation.
The United Nations is dedicated to defending freedom of belief, fostering inter-religious dialogue and advancing greater understanding among peoples, including through the Alliance of Civilizations initiative. I look forward to working with all partners to establish peace and stability in the region through dialogue and determined action. Thank you for your commitment, and please accept my best wishes for a successful Conference.
End of quote.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Please accept my open invitation for all of you to work hand in hand with the UNAOC, the organization that I am entrusted to lead in service of humanity. I look forward for concrete engagement with your organizations and personally with you, to develop many important initiatives for our collective security and stability.
I sincerely wish you a successful meeting.
Thank you