Opening Remarks
by the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
H.E. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser
at the
United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Ambassadorial Group of Friends Meeting
Theme: Ethnic and Cultural Dimensions in disasters and emergencies
18 February 2015, UNHQ New York
Excellency, Ms. Valerie Amos, Emergency Relief Coordinator,
Your Excellency, Mr. Roman Oyarzun, Ambassador of Spain,
Your Excellency, Mr. Yasar Halit Cevik, Ambassador of Turkey,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the outset of opening the Ambassadorial Group of Friends Meeting of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, I would like to thank you for joining us today and on behalf of all of you welcome two new member to the Group of Friends of the Alliance, Benin and San Marino. I look very much forward to their participation to our programs.
On the same note, I am delighted to receive Under-Secretary-General Emergency Relief Coordinator, Ms. Valerie Amos who is going to brief us on the time-pressing theme of “Ethnic and Cultural Dimensions in disasters and emergencies.”
Allow me to briefly highlight the leadership of Ms. Amos in Humanitarian Affairs since taking office in 2010, as well as, her efforts in defining a new approach to humanitarian action worldwide.
I would like to praise Ms. Amos’ dedication to providing first-aid assistance to displaced populations and victims of disasters and conflicts, regardless of their national, ethnic and religious backgrounds.
As High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, I cannot but acknowledge the growing mistrust between communities, particularly during emergencies, which is caused by seeing “perceived or real” differences as tensions. Natural and man-made disasters can play a harmful role in many cases, especially when fueled by cultural and ethnic dimensions
All over the world, there is a terrifying increase of radicalization, extremism, and terrorism, especially manipulating the youth and caused by the wrong interpretations of religion, cultural and humanitarian factors. Here comes the cooperation and role that UNAOC and OCHA can play together to deliver as one in the UN system.
All over the world, too many examples of cultural, religious and politically-driven conflicts and emergencies have presented themselves, including in countries such as Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Central African Republic, South-Sudan, Nigeria, The Americas, Ukraine and Myanmar to name just a few.
And all over the world, cultural, religious and political differences play a role in human rights abuses instead of reinforcing our shared human heritage. In the midst of all this turmoil, we can all recognize the connection between cultural-ethnic dimensions and conflicts with humanitarian impact and emergency situations.
Sometimes, humanitarian emergencies are the results of ethnic, cultural and religious misconceptions and of their social expressions.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is clear that the protection of civilian populations requires global action. It requires that the priority of humanitarian assistance is delivered equally with no discrimination, coherently and efficiently, with the causes of conflict tackled effectively.
This mission becomes more sensitive when cultural differences take place as a driving force for the conflict.
Humanitarian assistance should not and must not be hijacked during situations of conflict as reaffirmed by the Security Council Resolution 2165 advocated by Ms. Amos last year.
Subsequently, the protection of civilians through preventive action is the ultimate objective of the UN Alliance of Civilizations, which I would like to recall, serves as a soft power tool to prevent violence and to foster post-conflict reconciliation.
I truly believe that UNAOC and OCHA significantly share common responsibilities to secure safe and resilient human settlements and to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, as reinforced by SGDs 11 and 16.
Recognizing the ethnic and cultural dimensions of conflicts and emergencies, I am also aware that the protection of individuals is paramount to peaceful societies.
In this interlinked world, it has become clear that no single entity alone can, nor should, address the various issues brought by humanitarian conflicts and disasters driven by ethnic, religious or cultural disparities.
My experience has taught me that each crisis has specific challenges and therefore, the presence of civil society on the ground greatly influences the effectiveness and timeliness of humanitarian response. They can provide the necessary inputs and recommendations for action.
I also believe that both our specialized agencies demonstrated their critical involvement, as it was done during our joint mission to Mindanao, Philippines, in June 2013. This mission was successfully completed with the cooperation of OCHA, OIC and the Government of the Philippines.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Alliance of Civilizations will continue its endless efforts to counter the causes of violence and extremism since humanitarian impact is paramount to the mission of the United Nations.
I would like to seize this opportunity to inform you that we are currently partnering with Fordham University Center for Humanitarian Affairs in order to co-host a one-week program on the role of Media and Communications in Humanitarian Crises.”
Moreover, the Alliance has started to engage with OCHA in view of advancing the current discourse for the 2016 ”World Humanitarian Summit” that is set to take place in Turkey.
A once-in-a-generation event, this summit will allow us to grab the necessary tools and policies for the advancement and maintenance of good humanitarian practices. I truly believe in the prime role the Alliance will play at helping understanding the cultural and religious dimensions of humanitarian emergencies.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In summary, let me say that, the Alliance, in cooperation with OCHA, can implement innovative grass-root initiatives that are to contribute to intercultural dialogue and understanding, mutual respect and cooperation across divides through 3 pillars of actions.
Taking into consideration the mandate of UNAOC as the lead UN agency in dealing with cultural and religious tensions, UNAOC will support the efforts in organizing the first UN World Humanitarian Summit alongside with OCHA and other UN agencies. The summit is planned to take place in May 2016.
UNAOC’s engagement entails:
- Substantive inputs on preventive action based on our mandate.
- The appropriate modalities to tackle the rise of tensions that may drive to cultural and ethnic-based humanitarian conflicts and emergencies.
- The exploration of joint activities and programs with OCHA.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I now give the floor to H.E Ms. Valerie Amos, who in her own words will highlight the efforts of OCHA in disasters and emergencies and address the various areas of cooperation with UNAOC as we see them as relevant and complementary.
Thank you.