Remarks by the Under-Secretary-General Miguel Ángel Moratinos,
the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)
at the Lunar New Year Celebration
24 January 2025, New York
Your Excellency
Ambassador Fu Cong,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
春节快乐 (Chun Jie Kuai Le). Happy Lunar New Year.
With the arrival of the new year, I would like to first of all extend my warmest greetings to Ambassador FU Cong, to the Chinese people and to all individuals worldwide who celebrate the Lunar New Year.
The Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the year of the snake, which is associated with characteristics like wisdom, caution and strategy, and signifies a time of transformation and growth. Amidst the numerous challenges the world is facing, the spirit embodied by the Lunar New Year offers us a beacon of hope and positivity.
2024 was a year witnessing continuous collaboration between China and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC). We continued to build on the proposals introduced during the 2023 Third and Belt Forum for International Cooperation, and welcomed the active participation of the Chinese Delegation in various UNAOC events, including the UNAOC Group of Friends High-level Meeting on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.
2024 also witnessed the adoption of the General Assembly resolution, declaring 10 June as an International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, for which I expressed my profound recognition. I thank China, Member States, and co-sponsors of the resolution for their appreciation of the valuable role of UNAOC in promoting greater understanding and respect among civilizations, cultures, religions and beliefs. I will continue to work to amplify the messages of mutual respect, compassion and understanding of the value of cultural diversity.
In 2024 during 25-27 November, UNAOC held its 10th Global Forum in Cascais, Portugal. I gladly received the attendance and active participation of the Chinese Delegation, headed by the Special Representative of the Chinese Government on European Affairs Ambassador Wu Hongbo, and held further discussions on strengthening cooperation between China and UNAOC in areas of mutual interest, aiming to achieve substantive outcomes in the coming years.
Bidding farewell to 2024, a year filled with fruitful discussions and yielded great potential for further cooperation, I am positive and look very much forward to 2025, to work closely with Ambassador FU Cong, to further strengthen our cooperation.
As the High Representative for UNAOC, and the UN focal point designated by the United Nations Secretary-General to monitor antisemitism and enhance a system-wide response, I presented the UNAOC Action Plan 2024-2026 to all UNAOC Group of Friends members. In January 2025, I officially launched the United Nations Action Plan to Enhance Monitoring and Response to Antisemitism. I warmly invite and encourage China, as a long-standing member of the UNAOC Group of Friends, to actively participate in the implementation of both plans.
I thank Ambassador FU Cong for this warm invitation, and I thank China and the Chinese people for your unwavering support to the United Nations, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and its mandate. By working together, I am confident that we can fulfill the mission of Alliance of Civilizations.
I wish everyone a new year filled with peace, good health, and happiness.
春节快乐 (Chun Jie Kuai Le).