Regional Ambassadorial Roundtable: Advancing Transformative Dialogue for Peace and Social Cohesion with the Arab Region Diplomatic Corps Accredited to the Portuguese Republic.
On 16 April 2025, the International Dialogue Centre – KAICIID hosted an Ambassadorial Roundtable on “Transformative Dialogue Approaches for Peace and Social Cohesion” at its headquarters in Lisbon. The event was co-hosted by H.E. Ambassador Othmane Bahnini, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco and Dean of the Arab Regional Group, and H.E. Ambassador António de Almeida Ribeiro, Acting Secretary General of KAICIID.
In his opening remarks, H.E. Ambassador Bahnini underscored the urgency and relevance of KAICIID’s mission in today's turbulent global landscape:
In a world faced with unprecedented challenges—conflicts, radicalization, the culture of isolationism—KAICIID is more relevant and necessary than ever. Your work helps to deconstruct stereotypes, combat hate speech and build bridges between communities in the service of peace and harmonious coexistence.”
The roundtable was attended by diplomatic representatives from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—Founding Member of the KAICIID Council of Parties—alongside Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Qatar, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates. As the first in a series of regional roundtables, the event aimed to introduce KAICIID’s work to the Arab Region diplomatic corps accredited to Portugal.
Diplomacy Meets Transformative Dialogue
Convened in alignment with the United Nations International Year of Peace and Trust, the roundtable highlighted the increasing importance of multi-stakeholder dialogue and collaborative action in navigating today’s complex global challenges. It also served as a platform to reaffirm the role of interreligious and intercultural dialogue in building peaceful and inclusive societies.
H.E. Ambassador António de Almeida Ribeiro reflected on KAICIID’s unique legacy, rooted in the historic 2007 meeting between the late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia and Pope Benedict XVI. He emphasized the Centre’s continuing commitment to empowering local actors, promoting mutual respect, and advancing inclusive dialogue:
Religion, like diplomacy, has the power to mobilize communities for the common good. When policymakers and religious leaders work together, they can develop sustainable, preventive solutions to conflict,” he noted
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Spotlight on Flagship Programmes in the Arab Region
The roundtable also provided an opportunity to present KAICIID’s flagship programmes in the Arab region, emphasizing its integrated approach to building environments conducive to dialogue, peace, and resilience.
A key focus was placed on the Interreligious Platform for Dialogue and Cooperation in the Arab Region (IPDC), a foundational regional framework launched in the aftermath of KAICIID’s 2014 Global Conference, “United Against Violence in the Name of Religion”. This platform has since served as the umbrella for several impactful initiatives, including:
- Dialogue 360 (D360): A grant-based partnership programme supporting grassroots interreligious and intercultural dialogue efforts tailored to local community needs across the Arab region.
- Dialogue Journalism Fellowship (DJF): A year-long capacity-building initiative for journalists that promotes peacebuilding through dialogue-based media narratives and constructive reporting.
- She for Dialogue (She4D): A leadership development programme empowering women to take active roles in peacebuilding and interreligious dialogue within their communities.
Participants were also introduced to an upcoming initiative, the Intra-Muslim Dialogue Project (IMD), set to launch in 2025. This pilot programme aims to support Muslim religious leaders in promoting shared citizenship, peaceful coexistence, and mutual trust within diverse Muslim communities.
Fostering a Shared Commitment to Peace
The roundtable featured an open exchange of perspectives among delegates, reflecting a strong spirit of solidarity and shared purpose. Discussions emphasized a collective commitment to strengthening interreligious and intercultural collaboration across national and institutional boundaries.
Ambassador Almeida Ribeiro expressed appreciation for KAICIID’s founding members—particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as Austria, Spain, and the Holy See—for their steadfast support. He further announced that Portugal has been formally invited to join KAICIID’s Council of Parties, signaling a deepening relationship with its host country.
Looking Ahead: Building Trust Through Dialogue
This inaugural roundtable represents the beginning of a broader engagement strategy in 2025, as KAICIID continues to build and nurture relationships with diplomatic missions in Lisbon. Through these engagements, the Centre seeks to rto translate dialogue into tangible action on the ground, fostering stronger ties and understanding between communities and institutions”
As Ambassador Almeida Ribeiro aptly concluded:
"When we come together, we are capable of so much more.”
The event concluded with a standing reception, offering participants a more informal space to continue discussions and deepen mutual understanding. The success of this roundtable set a strong precedent for future consultations and reaffirmed KAICIID’s commitment to promoting peace and social cohesion through transformative dialogue.
