Morocco's Commitment to Dialogue Embodying the Spirit of the Alliance of Civilizations

Wednesday 27 November 2024 - 08:32

At the 10th Global Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations held in Cascais near Lisbon, Morocco once again demonstrated its unique approach to fostering dialogue and coexistence. Nasser Bourita, Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the nation's singular path, shaped by its choices and actions, as a source of inspiration for the Alliance and its members. He emphasized that under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Morocco has not merely praised dialogue but has actively embodied it.

Quoting the King’s message from the 9th Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations, Bourita reminded attendees that Morocco’s commitment to the Alliance stems both from its identity and its steadfast international engagements. The nation, he said, promotes openness as a cornerstone of peace, views religion as a tool for harmony, and fosters development as a pillar of global stability.

King Mohammed VI has asserted, "The future is built with open hands, not clenched fists." For Morocco, this vision places Africa at the heart of tomorrow’s possibilities. Bourita underscored the importance of Africa, describing it as a continent full of potential yet facing challenges such as youth unemployment, climate change, food security, migration, and interfaith dialogue. While Africa holds immense promise as a "reservoir of humanity’s vitality," its underrepresentation in the Alliance is concerning, with only 20% of the Group of Friends’ members being African, and just 15% hailing from sub-Saharan nations.

Morocco advocates for a geopolitics of solidarity, seeing the Alliance as the ideal forum to foster ethical consensus on pressing global challenges, from climate crises to humanitarian needs. This year’s forum, themed “Restoring Trust and Shaping the Future,” called for renewed commitment to peace in a world marked by injustice, extremism, terrorism, and relentless conflicts across continents.

The forum also addressed critical issues, including the ongoing challenges in Gaza, Palestine, and Lebanon. Bourita urged the global community to act collectively, with the Alliance as a "universal conscience" confronting shared threats.

Over the past two decades, the Alliance of Civilizations has demonstrated its value through global initiatives. Morocco has been at the forefront of these efforts, embodying its commitment through landmark events such as the Jerusalem Appeal co-signed by King Mohammed VI and Pope Francis in 2019, the 2022 Marrakech Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue, and the Fes Declaration of the same year, which stands as a bulwark against extremism.

Bourita also pointed to the Rabat Plan of Action on incitement to hatred and the establishment of June 18 as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, an initiative spearheaded by Morocco at the UN General Assembly.

Looking forward, Morocco celebrates the opening of the Chair of the Alliance of Civilizations at the Euromed University of Fes on December 6, solidifying its commitment to the Alliance’s mission. As Bourita concluded, this initiative permanently anchors Morocco to the Alliance and reinforces the Alliance’s presence within Morocco—a testament to the nation's enduring dedication to peace and dialogue.