Today, Monday, 25 November 2024, His Excellency Dr. Zuhair Alharthi, Secretary General of KAICIID, and H.E Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and High Representative for UNAOC met at the Centro de Congressos do Estoril, Portugal, on the sidelines of the 10th UNAOC Global Forum, which is themed “United in Peace: Restoring Trust and Reshaping the Future.”

The meeting served to mark the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding for a period of 4 years. This renewed partnership underscores the shared commitment of both organizations to advancing interreligious dialogue and promoting global peace, tolerance, and mutual understanding.

Achievements and Impact Under the Partnership

Since its inception, the partnership between KAICIID and UNAOC has championed the integration of interreligious dialogue into the multilateral framework. The longstanding partnership between KAICIID and UNAOC has already yielded numerous impactful initiatives, including:

Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites

In 2019, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, tasked UNAOC to develop a comprehensive Action Plan to safeguard religious sites, aimed at engaging governments, faith-based organizations, religious leaders, and other stakeholders. This process focused on exploring practical measures to prevent attacks on sacred sites and ensure their sanctity. KAICIID’s expertise was integral to this initiative, and the organization participated in early consultations to shape the Plan of Action.

KAICIID has played a pivotal role in the development and implementation of the Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites, a key initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General aimed at fostering the protection of sacred spaces worldwide. Through its expertise in interreligious dialogue, KAICIID has actively contributed to consultations and capacity-building efforts under this Plan. These efforts include the mapping of religious sites, organizing global conferences, and leading communications campaigns to promote mutual respect.

Vision for the Future

This renewed partnership will continue to prioritize integrating interreligious dialogue into the multilateral system. Both organizations are dedicated to advancing initiatives that foster trust, build capacity, and create sustainable solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges such as protection of sacred sites, and countering hate speech, amongst other thematic priorities.

With the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding, KAICIID and UNAOC reaffirm their commitment to jointly work on key thematic areas of focus, including:

• Capacity-Building and Youth Engagement: Initiatives such as capacity building to empower youth in interreligious and intercultural dialogue, promoting inclusive and peaceful societies.
• Implementation of the Plan of Action: Activities aimed at safeguarding religious sites and ensuring their protection.
• Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation: Collaborative programs addressing global challenges, including hate speech, as well as specific localized efforts.
• Human Rights and Reconciliation: Programs designed to enhance cooperation and strengthen capacity in peacebuilding and interreligious dialogue.

The partnership continues to highlight the shared commitment of KAICIID and UNAOC to safeguarding sacred spaces and fostering sustainable peace worldwide.

As a longstanding member of the UNAOC Group of Friends, KAICIID works alongside other member states and organizations to advance the principles of dialogue, mutual understanding, and inclusive policymaking. This membership reflects KAICIID’s alignment with UNAOC’s mission to bridge divides and build trust among communities worldwide.

Additionally, KAICIID remains a vital member of the UN Multi-Faith Advisory Council (MFAC), established under the auspices of the United Nations Inter-Agency Taskforce on Religion and Sustainable Development (IATF-Religion). This platform, co-chaired by UNAOC, enables collaboration among faith-based organizations and UN agencies to advance shared goals, including fostering peace, countering hate speech, and promoting sustainable development.

KAICIID has been an active member of this Council since its establishment in 2018. Convened in September 2018 by the Inter-Agency Taskforce, MFAC operates as an informal and voluntary body. It comprises over 40 faith-based partners accredited by the UN system, representing a rich diversity of religious traditions and global perspectives.

Through these engagements, KAICIID reinforces its strategic role in global peacebuilding processes, bringing faith-based perspectives to multilateral initiatives and fostering collaborative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Engagement of KAICIID and Supported Platforms at the 10th UNAOC Global Forum

Held under the theme "United in Peace: Restoring Trust and Reshaping the Future," the forum brings together policymakers, thought leaders, and interfaith practitioners from around the world.

During the 10th UNAOC Global Forum in Cascais on 27 November 2024, a significant focus is placed on advancing the Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites. The recommendations of this Plan, initiated by the United Nations Secretary-General, include the development of a global mapping of religious sites, organizing a global conference, and creating a global communications campaign to foster mutual respect.

A notable highlight of the Forum is the participation of His Virtue Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims’ Board, Co-Chair of the Interreligious Council, and a KAICIID Board of Directors (BoD) member. Sheikh-ul-Islam Pashazade will contribute to the panel discussion titled “Setting the Scene: Multistakeholders’ Perspective on Safeguarding Religious Sites.” His insights will reflect the multistakeholder approach central to the Forum's theme.

Furthermore, representatives from KAICIID-supported networks in Europe, such as the Muslim-Jewish Leadership Council (MJLC) and European Leaders Meeting for Action (EuLeMa), will actively participate in the General Debate. Among them are:

• Dr. Nedzad Ef. Grabus, Sarajevo Mufti and member of the Assembly of the Interreligious Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Mr. Yahya Pallavicini, Vice-president and Imam of the Milano Mosque.

These leaders will share insights and recommendations under the session titled “Good Practices and Recommendations on Enhancing the Response and Resilience of Religious Facilities and Communities to Terrorist Threats and Attacks.” Their contributions underscore KAICIID's commitment to fostering interreligious dialogue and strengthening global peace initiatives.