Opening Remarks By The High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations

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UNAOC United Nations Attiance of Civitizations Opening Remarks By The High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations H.E. Nassir Abdulaziz Al'Nasser United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Ambassadorial Group of Friends Meeting Theme: Ethnic and Cultural Dimensions in disasters and emergencies. at the 18 February 2015

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Opening RemarksByThe High Representative for theUnited Nations Alliance of Civilizations

Transcript of Opening Remarks By The High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations

  • UNAOCUnited Nations Attiance of Civitizations

    Opening Remarks

    By

    The High Representative for the

    United Nations Alliance of Civilizations

    H.E. Nassir Abdulaziz Al'Nasser

    United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Ambassadorial Group of FriendsMeeting

    Theme: Ethnic and Cultural Dimensions in disasters and emergencies.

    at the

    18 February 2015

  • Excellency, Ms. Valerie Amos, Emergency Relief Coordinator,

    Your Excellency, Mr. Roman Oyanun, Ambassador of Spain,

    Your Excellency, Mr. Yasar Halit Cevik, Ambassador of Turkey,

    Distinguished Delegates,

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    At the outset of opening the Ambassadorial Group of Friends Meeting of the United NationsAlliance of Civilizations, I would like to thank you for joining us today and on behalf of all of youwelcome two new member to the Group of Friends of the Alliance, Benin and San Marino. I lookvery much forward to their participation to our programs.

    On the same note, I am delighted to receive Under-Secretary-General Emergency ReliefCoordinator, Ms, Valerie Amos who is going to brief us on the time-pressing theme of "Ethnic andCultural Dimensions in disasters and emergencies."

    Allow me to briefly highlight the leadership of Ms. Amos in Humanitarian Affairs sincetaking office in 2010, as well as, her efforts in defining a new approach to humanitarian actionworldwide.

    I would like to praise Ms, Amos' dedication to providing frrst-aid assistance to displacedpopulations and victims of disasters and conflicts, regardless of their national, ethnic and religiousbackgrounds.

    As High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, I cannot butacknowledge the growing mistrust between communities, particularly during emergencies, which iscaused by seeing "perceived or reql" differences as tensions. Natural and man-made disasters canplay aharmful role in many cases, especially when fueled by cultural and ethnic dimensions

    All over the world, there is a teniffing increase of radicalization, extremism, and terrorism,especially manipulating the youth and caused by the wrong interpretations of religion, cultural andhumanitarian factors. Here comes the cooperation and role that I-INAOC and OCHA can playtogether to deliver as one in the UN system.

    All over the world, too many examples of cultural, religious and politically-driven conflictsand emergencies have presented themselves, including in countries such as Syria, Iraq, Libya,Yemen, Central African Republic, South-Sudan, Nigeria, The Americas, Ukaine and Myanmar toname just a few.

    And all over the world, cultural, religious and political differences play a role in human rightsabuses instead of reinforcing our shared human heritage. In the midst of all this turmoil, we can all

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  • recognize the connection betweenand emergency situations.

    Sometimes, humanitarian emergencies are the results of ethnic, cultural and religiousmisconceptions and of their social expressions.

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    It is clear that the protection of civilian populations requires global action. It requiresthat the priority of humanitarian assistance is delivered equally with no discrimination, coherentlyand efflrciently, with the causes of conflict tackled effectively.

    This mission becomes more sensitive when cultural differences take place as a driving forcefor the conflict.

    Humanitarian assistance should not and must not be hijacked during situations of conflict asreaffirmed by the Security Council Resolution 2165 advocated by Ms. Amos last year.

    Subsequently, the protection of civilians through preventive action is the ultimate objectiveof the IIN Alliance of Civilizations, which I would like to recall, serves as a soft power tool toprevent violence and to foster post-conflict reconciliation.

    I truly believe that IINAOC and OCHA significantly share common responsibilities to securesafe and resilient human settlements and to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, as reinforced bySGDs ll and 16.

    Recognizing the ethnic and cultural dimensions of conflicts and emergencies, I am alsoaware that the protection of individuals is paramount to peaceful societies.

    In this interlinked world, it has become clear that no single entity alone can, nor should,address the various issues brought by humanitarian conflicts and disasters driven by ethnic, religiousor cultural disparities.

    My experience has taught me that each crisis has specific challenges and therefore, thepresence of civil society on the ground greatly influences the effectiveness and timeliness ofhumanitarian response. They can provide the necessary inputs and recommendations for action.

    I also believe that both our specialized agencies demonstrated their critical involvement, as itwas done during our joint mission to Mindanao, Philippines, in June 2013. This mission wassuccessfully completed with the cooperation of OCHA, OIC and the Government of the Philippines.

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    cultural-ethnic dimensions and conflicts with humanitarian impact

  • Ladies and Gentlemen,

    The Alliance ofviolence and extremismNations.

    I would like to seize this opportunity to inform you that we are currently partnering withFordham University Center for Humanitarian Affairs in order to co-host a one-week program on therole of Media and Communications in Humanitarian Crises."

    Moreover, the Alliance has started to engage with OCHA in view of advancing the currentdiscourse for the 2016 "World Humanitarian Summit" that is set to take place in Turkey. A once-in-a-generation event, this summit will allow us to grab the necessary tools and policies for theadvancement and maintenance of good humanitarian practices. I truly believe in the prime role theAlliance will play at helping understanding the cultural and religious dimensions of humanitarianemergencies.

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    In summary, let me say that, the Alliance, in cooperation with OCHA, can implementinnovative grass-root initiatives that are to contribute to intercultural dialogue and understanding,mutual respect and cooperation across divides through 3 pillars of actions.

    Taking into consideration the mandate of UNAOC as the lead IJN agency in dealing withcultural and religious tensions, UNAOC will support the efforts in organizing the frrst UN WorldHumanitarian Summit alongside with OCHA and other tIN agencies. The summit is planned to takeplace in May 2016.

    UNAOC's engagement entails:

    l. Substantive inputs on preventive action based on our mandate.2. The appropriate modalities to tackle the rise of tensions that may drive to cultural andethnic-based humanitarian confl icts and emergencies.3. The exploration of joint activities and programs with OCHA.

    Civilizations will continuesince humanitarian impact

    itsis

    endless efforts to counter the causes ofparamount to the mission of the United

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    I now give the floor to H.E Ms. Valerie Amos, who in her own words will highlight theefforts of OCHA in disasters and emergencies and address the various areas of cooperation withUNAOC as we see them as relevant and complementary.

    Thank you.