Meeting on March 10 in New York at the invitation of President Jorge Sampaio, the High Representative for the UNAOC, the Group of Friends drew attention to the Fourth Global UNAOC Forum in Doha planned for December 2011. A core aspect of the Forum, as introduced by H.E. Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, State Minister of International Cooperation of Qatar, will be the strengthening of links between the UNAOC mission and the Millennium Development Goals.
In their speeches, most representatives underlined the importance of civil society as a driving force for peace and mutual understanding. They welcomed the Civil Society Forum scheduled in Doha in May 2011 that will allow for meaningful consultations with the non-governmental sector ahead of the annual Forum.
Reviewing the Alliance’s priorities in months ahead, President Jorge Sampaio stressed the importance of the Mediterranean Regional Strategy, particularly with the transitions taking place today in North Africa and the Middle East. The Strategy highlights specific areas of focus for the improvement of intercultural relations, including examples of concrete projects particularly with young people who have been among the main drivers of change in the region. Multiple representatives also noted the importance of initiatives like the UNAOC to foster dialogue and mutual understanding, and thereby strengthen global democracy and human rights.
President Sampaio further insisted on the need to broaden the financial resources of the Alliance. A Replenishment Conference will be hosted in the Autumn 2011 by Turkey.
Following opening statements on behalf of the two sponsor countries of the Initiative, Ambassador Juan Pablo De Laiglesia y Gonzalez de Peredo, Permanent Representative of Spain, and Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan, Permanent Representative of Turkey, more than 30 delegations contributed to the debate. They notably included Ms. Bokova, Director General of UNESCO and Dr. Altwajiri, Director General of ISESCO.
(Photographs: Aaron Lee Fineman/ UNAOC)