A/78/PV.76 General Assembly

I now give the floor to the representative of Bangladesh to introduce draft resolution A/78/L.57.

I have the honour to introduce draft resolution A/78/L.57, entitled “Follow- up to the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace”. The draft resolution has special significance this year, as it marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the General Assembly’s adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. The draft text therefore proposes a number of activities for the meaningful observance of this momentous occasion and reflects a few technical edits and streamlined texts. The streamlining exercise has been initiated with a view to maintaining a balanced approach to all eight areas of the Programme of Action, which we intend to continue as an ongoing process. We sincerely thank all delegations for their active participation in the informal consultations. We also appreciate the spirit of flexibility shown by all and the valuable inputs that have significantly enriched the draft before us. As in previous years, we hope the draft resolution will be adopted by consensus. I would now like to share some key additions to the text this year. First, through the draft resolution, Member States, United Nations entities, international and regional organizations and other relevant stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, academia and the media, are invited to observe the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace in an appropriate manner, including through educational and public awareness-raising activities. Secondly, the draft resolution also requests the President of the General Assembly to convene, within existing resources, a day-long, high-level forum during its seventy-eighth session to commemorate the twenty- fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. We look forward to working with the Office of the President of the General Assembly to successfully organize that high-level commemorative event. Thirdly, the draft text welcomes the high-level forum convened on 31 August 2023 by the President of the Assembly at its seventy-seventh session, under the theme “Promoting a culture of peace in the digital era”, at which Member States, United Nations entities, civil society, the private sector and other relevant stakeholders discussed the implications of rapid technological change for the promotion of a culture of peace. In addition to those key elements, the draft resolution highlights the importance of collective efforts in tackling existing and emerging threats to peace. It recognizes the urgent need to address the underlying drivers of conflict and the importance of strengthening preventive diplomacy, including through the open, constructive and respectful debate of ideas, as well as interreligious, interfaith and intercultural dialogues at the local, national and international levels. We sincerely thank those delegations that have already become sponsors of the draft resolution, and we look forward to seeing more delegations do so from the floor ahead of its adoption today, in order to send a powerful message to the world of the abiding commitment of the United Nations to peace and to a culture of peace. I would also like to express my country’s sincere appreciation to the President of the General Assembly and his Office for their continued support to the follow- up to the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. Twenty-five years ago, in 1999, the historic Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace was adopted by the General Assembly to serve as the universal mandate for the international community, particularly the United Nations system, for the promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence that benefits all humanity, in particular future generations. That modest venture initiated by my country, Bangladesh, in 1998, was inspired by our own history. Having been born out of a devastating war that was rooted in discrimination, racial intolerance and subjugation, we have made the promotion of peace a fundamental principle of our foreign policy. Today the culture of peace holds a pivotal position in the multilateral agenda, hosting multiple resolutions aimed at promoting peace, tolerance, dialogue and harmony, while firmly rejecting violence, discrimination, stereotyping and intolerance and thereby proactively preventing conflicts. In that context, I wish to refer to the adoption by the Human Rights Council at its fifty-fifth session, held in February this year, of resolution 55/17, entitled “Human rights and a culture of peace”. We thank the Gambia for its leadership in submitting that resolution, which reinforces our shared commitment to exploring and understanding the interlinkages between human rights and the promotion and strengthening of a culture of peace. Before I conclude, allow me to quote from the statement made by the representative of Bangladesh during the adoption by the General Assembly of resolution 53/243 on the Declaration and Programme of Action Culture of Peace: “As we struggle to address a multitude of problems that transcend borders, a culture of peace and harmony, as opposed to war, violence and conflict, could provide the foundation for a meaningful alliance for global action. The promotion of the concept at the national level in every society to forge better understanding and harmony among various groups, and at the bilateral, regional and international levels, will only serve to complement existing efforts and programmes with similar objectives. Similarly, we believe actions to promote a culture of peace by the United Nations system could also be complementary to other United Nations efforts, including peacekeeping, disarmament, development, human rights and advancement of women. Indeed, the relevance of this concept remains as strong as ever in the present-day context, especially as the world faces spiralling conflicts and dereliction of human dignity. That trend not only runs counter to everything that this noble Organization stands for, but it also challenges the deepest aspirations of men and women throughout the world, which is for peace. If we are to reverse the current trend, we have to promote a culture of peace, which is everything about a set of values, attitudes, traditions and moods of behaviour and ways of life. We must rekindle the brighter and harmonious faculties of the human minds, foster respect for equality and equal value of all human beings. And most importantly, we must make peace more profitable than war.”

I now give the floor to the representative of the European Union, in its capacity as observer.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its member States. The candidate countries Türkiye, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia, as well as Andorra, Monaco and San Marino, have aligned themselves with this statement. Let me reiterate the importance that the European Union attaches to the culture of peace agenda. That agenda not only reflects our history and core values but also guides our actions within and beyond our borders. Concretely, that means that we are deeply committed to the respect for life and dignity of each human being, without discrimination or prejudice. It means that we are attached to non-violence, the peaceful settlement of conflicts and democratic participation. It also means that we are deeply committed to solidarity and cooperation for development and to the promotion and respect of human rights, as well as equal rights and opportunities for all. Let me convey three messages. First, pursuing a culture of peace can help us to bridge the divides across and within societies worldwide. It can help to advance the full implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. The Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, with its eight pillars, remains as valid today as it did in 1999, even as we have witnessed tremendous change in societies worldwide and even as we are facing new global challenges. Second, if we want to be faithful to that agenda, we need effective multilateralism that is founded on universal rules and values, with a strong United Nations at its core. That is the only way to respond collectively and effectively to global crises, challenges and threats that no one can tackle alone. The Summit of the Future must be a milestone moment in that regard. Thirdly and lastly, we all committed in the Declaration on a Culture of Peace to supporting the free flow of information and knowledge, supporting the important role of the media, ensuring the freedom of the press and the freedom of information and communication, and supporting the protection of civic space, online and offline. In this digital age, let us translate that into action. Let us confront the challenges but also seize the many opportunities before us. There can be no culture of peace without respect for international law, human rights, democratic participation and the rule of law. We must do away with all forms of discrimination and prejudice. Let us join in the efforts to achieve gender equality and the full enjoyment of all human rights by all women and girls. Let us safeguard the freedom of religion or belief for all. We must strive towards democracy and democratic societies, in which the freedom of opinion and expression prevails in the spirit of tolerance and dialogue and in which we stand united against all forms of racism. Let us instil a culture of peace in children through inclusive quality education that fosters tolerance, empowers them as agents of change and safeguards their rights to protection from violence and discrimination. To succeed in all that, a strong partnership with civil society is vital. That is why it is so important to ensure a safe and enabling environment in which civil society can thrive. We also encourage enhancing the participation of civil society, as well as the dialogue between the United Nations and civil society organizations. To conclude, you can count on the European Union’s full commitment to contributing to the effective implementation of the United Nations culture of peace agenda.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has the honour to take the floor on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations. The challenges on the global agenda for 2024 are complex, perhaps even more so than in previous years. We are facing a global multifaceted crisis, as well as the enduring struggle against poverty, in the pursuit of genuine equality. We are also facing many instabilities in the economic and financial sectors. There is also the struggle for food insecurity. Moreover, the pressing problem of climate change, as well as natural disasters, demands urgent action. Furthermore, achieving peace and security in line with the purposes enshrined in the Charter becomes even more critical as multilateralism continues to face threats from Governments of those States that propose exceptionalist visions and attempt to weaken multilateral cooperation and impose their values on the entire world. Those challenges require a unified response from the international community in order to uphold our commitment to inclusive multilateralism. The first responsibility of the United Nations, in order to embrace a culture of peace, dialogue among civilizations and intercultural and interreligious dialogue, lies in condemning the indiscriminate attacks against the Palestinian people in Gaza. Those attacks have resulted in a tragedy with an unacceptable human toll. It is vital to achieve a sustainable ceasefire that is fully respected in Gaza, together with the swift provision of humanitarian assistance and the promotion of economic and social development, which is key for fostering lasting peace. Moreover, it is crucial that those responsible for the atrocity crimes that have been committed against the Palestinian people for more than 75 years be held accountable and brought to justice, in order to, once and for all, put an end to impunity. Against that backdrop, we reject the hegemonic and unilateral policies that affect international peace, security and stability. They threaten the principles and purposes enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, and they undermine the democratization of international relations and multilateralism, which is based on mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States. The culture of peace is based on the sovereign equality of States, which are international actors par excellence in the promotion of dialogue and cooperation among nations. Repealing any unilateral coercive economic or political measure is therefore an urgent necessity that cannot be further postponed, as such illegal measures have a negative impact on the individual and collective rights of more than a third of humankind. They also undermine the realization of the right to development, increase poverty and inequality and restrict access to essential goods and services, in clear contravention of the Charter. The Group of Friends commends the recent adoption of the General Assembly resolution on the follow-up to the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace (resolution 78/277). The yearly adoption of the resolution on this subject is a historic event at the United Nations with respect to the promotion of a culture of peace and the fight against Islamophobia, fascism, neo-Nazism, racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia in all its forms and manifestations, including hate speech. These abhorrent expressions of disdain for human dignity have been intensified by an irresponsible approach to mass communication, which mistakenly uses the right to freedom of expression as a justification for this scourge. At the same time, it neglects special duties and responsibilities in that regard, inter alia, the need to respect the rights and reputations of others and to protect national security, public order, public health and morals. In the light of that reality, we unequivocally condemn the desecration of the Qur’an by extremist groups, the defamation of religions, the glorification of Nazism and the persecution and stigmatization of migrants, among other expressions of hatred and intolerance. We firmly believe that fostering understanding and respect among various cultures and religions is of paramount importance in our shared pursuit of global peace. To conclude, the Group of Friends reaffirms its commitment to continuing to work towards developing effective instruments to combat intolerance and collaborating with the United Nations to promote the implementation of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. We remain committed to resolutely condemning incitement to hatred and to promoting intercultural and interreligious dialogue. We remain committed to resolutely condemning hate speech and promoting intercultural and interreligious dialogue, the practice of non-violence through education, dialogue and cooperation, and diplomacy for peace, as concrete means to achieve the ideal of a world in which the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations are respected, an ideal on which we will never give up, despite the adversities of today’s polarized world.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the 10 member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). At the outset, ASEAN would like to express its appreciation to the Secretary-General for his report under this agenda item (A/78/591). As we mark the twenty- fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Peace and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, we are pleased to note the significance and scope of the promotion of a culture of peace, interreligious and intercultural dialogue and cooperation undertaken by the United Nations. ASEAN has a profound understanding of the culture of peace, which it embraces as a core value, as enshrined in the ASEAN Declaration of 1967. We believe that it plays a pivotal role in fostering regional harmony and progress within the ASEAN community. With a population of more than 640 million people representing a multitude of ethnicities, religions, languages and cultures, one of the defining characteristics of ASEAN is its diversity. In harnessing the vibrant tapestry of its heritage, ASEAN has adopted the motto “unity in diversity” as a guideline, in order to develop from a regional association of countries to an integrated, peaceful and stable community, as envisaged in the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. This notion of promoting peace and stability is further enshrined in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, which has greatly contributed to this endeavour for the past 47 years. In addition to the 54 countries that have acceded to the Treaty to date, we continue to be encouraged by the growing interest from others, which reflects a commitment to the purposes and principles contained in the Treaty, strengthening cooperation with ASEAN and contributing to peace and security in the region. Today we live in an uncertain world, where we are constantly reacting to challenges arising from human, social and sustainable development, socioeconomic inequalities, discrimination and social exclusion that may lead to various forms of vulnerability. In response to this, ASEAN recognized the necessity of institutionalizing a culture of prevention and preventing such challenges from taking root in the first place. At the thirty-first ASEAN Summit, in 2017, ASEAN leaders adopted the ASEAN Declaration on Culture of Prevention for a Peaceful, Inclusive, Resilient, Healthy and Harmonious Society, signifying an upstream policy approach to strengthening resilience in ASEAN. Through the six strategic thrusts set out in the ASEAN Plan of Action on Culture of Prevention, ASEAN seeks to address the root causes of systematic challenges and promote the shared values of tolerance, mutual understanding and respect for life and diversity. The six thrusts are the following: promoting a culture of peace and intercultural understanding; promoting a culture of respect for all; promoting a culture of good governance at all levels; promoting a culture of resilience and care for the environment; promoting a culture of healthy lifestyles; and promoting a culture supporting the values of moderation. These guiding principles remain relevant, serving as the cornerstone for ASEAN’s ongoing endeavours to realize this vision, including through the adoption in 2021 of the ASEAN Strategic Policy Framework on Promoting an Adaptive ASEAN Community of Greater Understanding, Tolerance and a Sense of Regional Agendas among Peoples of ASEAN. Following the implementation of the Strategic Policy Framework, a strategic playbook was issued, which sought to achieve the goal of presenting ASEAN as a dynamic community of opportunities for all, highlighting and embracing diversity, tolerance and inclusiveness. In the present day, we are confronted with borderless and ambiguous threats. Sadly, some of these take the form of harmful, extremist ideologies that pose significant challenges to peace and security. ASEAN condemns all acts of terror, recognizing that such attacks, in our region or globally, underscore the importance of remaining vigilant in countering these threats. While underscoring the crucial needs in promoting tolerance, mutual respect and understanding, we firmly believe that achieving peace among peoples and nations requires collective efforts transcending individual endeavours. ASEA therefore is firmly committed to engaging in continuous dialogue with our external partners through ASEAN-led mechanisms including, among others, the East Asia Summit, ASEAN Plus One mechanisms, the ASEAN Regional Forum and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus. ASEAN is also committed to continuing its engagement with the United Nations through the Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Partnership between ASEAN and the United Nations (2021–2025). ASEAN also remains committed to endorsing the Security Council’s initiatives on women and peace and security, while supporting the youth, peace and security agenda. Within ASEAN, we are working to launch the first ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation study on youth, peace and security. In the past year, ASEAN has continued to foster strong cooperation on peace and security issues with the United Nations through our continued engagement with the Institute for Peace and Reconciliation. ASEAN much appreciates the convening by the Institute for Peace and Reconciliation/ United Nations Track 1.5 of the first Workshop on Advancing the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda in ASEAN in Vientiane on 7–8 December 2022, as well as the recent convening by the Institute for Peace and Reconciliation/United Nations Track 1.5 of the first United Nations Regional Dialogue on Climate, Peace and Security in ASEAN in Jakarta on 21–22 November 2023. ASEAN reaffirms its commitment to further enhancing cooperation in preventive diplomacy, conflict prevention and confidence-building, including by broadening our scope of future collaboration through those initiatives. ASEAN also launched the Regional Plan of Action on Women, Peace and Security in Cambodia, with the support of UN-Women, in December 2022. We are also pleased with the successful convening of the High- Level Dialogue to Advance the Implementation of the Regional Plan of Action on Women, Peace and Security in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on 6–7 July 2023 to promote the implementation of the plan at both the regional and national levels. ASEAN also welcomes the invaluable role of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in promoting intercultural and interreligious dialogue and greater understanding and respect among civilizations, cultures, religions and beliefs. ASEAN appreciates the Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda (A/75/982), as well as the policy brief on A New Agenda for Peace. ASEAN recognizes that the Summit of the Future to be held this year presents an excellent opportunity to create a safer and more peaceful world. In conclusion, as a regional organization, ASEAN remains committed to engaging in meaningful dialogue with our external partners to help foster a global culture of peace through relevant ASEAN-led mechanisms. We share the aspiration of the international community to achieve global peace, security and prosperity through multilateralism, mutual respect, tolerance, preventive diplomacy, confidence-building, reconciliation and upholding the rule of law. I wish to reaffirm ASEAN’s commitment to promoting a culture of peace and its readiness to work with the international community towards building an effective and inclusive multilateral system, anchored by the United Nations.

I thank the President of the General Assembly for organizing this annual debate on the extremely important issue of a culture of peace. I also wish to express my gratitude to the Secretary-General for his report (A/78/591). I commend Bangladesh for its introduction of draft resolution A/78/L.57, which Morocco firmly supports and will continue to co-sponsor. The culture of peace, which incorporates the three United Nations pillars of peace and security, human rights and development, is crucial to the Organization. It rests on the promotion of political understanding and constructive dialogue between Member States based in mutual respect and dialogue. The Kingdom of Morocco, guided by King Mohammed VI, remains strongly committed to promoting the values of peace, interreligious and intercultural dialogue and respect for human dignity. As such, the Kingdom places great importance on combating all forms of discrimination, xenophobia and hatred, in particular against religions and their sacred symbols and the rejection of the other. The Kingdom of Morocco has always been a model for brotherhood, as well as a cross-road for intercultural, interreligious and intercivilizational interaction and exchange. Respect for cultural and religious diversity is not only an intrinsic part of daily life but is inherent to the spirit of Moroccan society. We support the strengthening of such values as peace, harmony and knowledge of and respect for cultural and religious diversity at the national, regional and international levels, in accordance with the guidance of King Mohammed VI. Education is both fundamental to and crucial for ensuring the development and maintenance of a culture of peace, as well as combating the scourges of discrimination, hatred and extremism. As such, the Moroccan education system teaches from an early age the virtues of respect, openness, cultural and religious diversity and human rights. Morocco has taken proactive steps to contribute to a more peaceful world through reforms in the religious sphere. Morocco has raised the level of religious education to promote such values as peace and tolerance. To that end, the Kingdom, under the guidance of King Mohammed VI, established the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Oulema and the Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams, Morchidines and Morchidates. Those institutions provide a multidimensional programme on the values of openness and moderation in Islam to hundreds of religious leaders from various African, Arab and European countries. Morocco is also proud of its significant contribution to the adoption and implementation of plans of action, documents and resolutions that form the foundation of the efforts of the United Nations and the international community to promote a culture of peace and the values of moderation and respect, as well as to combat all forms of discrimination and exclusion. Among those flagship initiatives are the United Nations Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites, the Marrakech Declaration on the protection of religious minorities in Muslim countries, the Rabat Plan of Action on the prohibition of advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, and the Plan of Action for Religious Leaders and Actors to Prevent Incitement to Violence that Could Lead to Atrocity Crimes. Morocco has also played a leadership role in the drafting of resolutions against hate speech and promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue, such as resolutions 73/328 and 77/318, submitted by Morocco. Those resolutions promote interreligious dialogue and tolerance in the fight against hate speech. The General Assembly also adopted by consensus a Moroccan initiative, resolution 75/309, which proclaims 18 June as International Day for Countering Hate Speech. The ninth Alliance of Civilizations Global Forum, held in Fez in November 2022, was a historic moment that emphasized the importance of promoting dialogue, respect and intercivilizational understanding as a foundation for peace, security and development. The Forum provided an opportunity for in-depth discussion on strategies to effectively counter hate speech by strengthening the commitment to promote multilateralism through a culture of peace. The Fez Declaration, which was the outcome document of the Forum, highlighted, among other elements, the crucial importance of education, the role of women as mediators and the role of sport as a conduit for peace and inclusion. I wish to commend the Alliance of Civilizations, which, under the leadership of Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos Cuyaubé, plays a central role in promoting the culture of peace within the United Nations. In the same vein the historic city of Marrakech hosted in June 2023 the Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue, on the theme “Working together for our common future”, which adopted the Marrakech communiqué (A/77/992, annex). That document contributed significantly to the promotion of collaboration and understanding between various systems of beliefs and values, while taking into account the opportunities offered by responsible use of digital tools. While on the topic of a culture of peace, we must reiterate our strong call for the establishment of lasting peace in the Middle East. That can only be possible through a two-State solution that includes the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, with East Jerusalem as its capital, within the borders of 4 June 1967. The Kingdom of Morocco and King Mohammed VI, under whose patronage the Al-Quds Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has been placed, reiterate the call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, the protection of civilians, and the consistent and adequate provision of humanitarian assistance to the population of Gaza. In conclusion, I wish to highlight the words of King Mohammed VI in his royal message to the Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue, held in Marrakech. He said, “If we manage to foster constructive interfaith, intercultural dialogue, we will be providing answers to many of the dilemmas and challenges threatening the future of coexistence and of our planet”. Those royal words are particularly relevant ahead of the Summit of the Future, in which the Pact for the Future is a crucial opportunity to build on the commitments made in the areas of international dialogue and cooperation. It is imperative that the Pact for the Future include concrete and measurable steps to encourage and strengthen intercultural and interreligious dialogue, as a cornerstone in responding to current and future multidimensional crises and in anchoring and bolstering a culture of peace.

Singapore aligns itself with the statement delivered earlier by the representative of Brunei Darussalam on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). We also thank Bangladesh for submitting this important draft resolution (A/78/L.57), and we are happy to be a sponsor of it. Allow me to add the following remarks in my national capacity. Today we are facing numerous challenges. Geopolitical tensions, macroeconomic uncertainty, food and energy insecurity and climate change are just some of these. Fault lines have widened, aggravated by disinformation and misinformation in the digital age. A culture of peace requires developing a better understanding of the multiple and interlinked drivers that sustain conflict. Addressing those challenges to achieve a global culture of peace calls for collective action from all of us. Achieving social cohesion and unity does not happen by chance. It is a result of consistent, deliberate efforts. To that end, allow me to share Singapore’s experiences in strengthening the bonds within our multiracial and multireligious society. Recently, a 2023 Pew Research Centre analysis noted that Singaporeans demonstrate high levels of interreligious tolerance and acceptance on multiple measures. A similar study in 2021 reported that Singapore, despite its diverse makeup, was one of the least divided societies surveyed. Nonetheless, that was not always the case. We have come a long way from the early years of our independence, when racial tensions spilled over into riots. But we have not forgotten those lessons. That is why Singapore has enshrined our commitment to building a united nation, regardless of race, language or religion, committed to building within our Constitution and national pledge. We also have a Presidential Council for Minority Rights that examines all legislation to ensure that it is not disadvantageous to any religious or racial community. Civil society and religious groups also play a key role in our efforts in building racial and religious harmony in Singapore. That is also recognized in articles 6 and 8 of the Declaration on a Culture of Peace. The Inter-Religious Organisation, Singapore, established more than 70 years ago, builds networks among people of different religions for such engagements. We have established Racial and Religious Harmony Circles across all constituencies in Singapore to promote interaction across ethnic and religious communities. Last year, the Singapore Government launched Forward Singapore, a nationwide exercise aimed at gathering views from multiple stakeholders on how best to refresh our social compact in a manner that is deemed fair by all segments of society. We will continue to promote intercultural and interreligious dialogue and mutual understanding, as without such efforts, differences of opinion can lead to division and mutual suspicion. Singapore has also contributed to efforts to promote such dialogue at the international and regional levels. Over the years, Singapore has hosted the International Conference on Cohesive Societies, an event for interfaith and multicultural dialogue that has always featured global views from diverse stakeholders. We are continuing to work with Conference participants to advance scholarship and collaboration on issues that affect social cohesion, and we invite Member States to support that initiative as well. Regionally, Singapore fully supports efforts such as the ASEAN Plan of Action on Culture of Prevention, which sets out understanding and action areas on promoting a culture of peace and intercultural understanding, among others, as well as the ASEAN Strategic Policy Framework on Promoting an Adaptive ASEAN Community of Greater Understanding, Tolerance and a Sense of Regional Agendas Among Peoples of ASEAN. Singapore remains steadfast in our commitment to interreligious and intercultural dialogue and understanding. We will continue to work closely with all Member States towards our common aspiration of a global culture of peace.

It was the great Mahatma who said that a nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the souls of its people. We meet here today at the important juncture of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the historic resolution 53/243, whereby the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace was adopted. That important milestone provides us the impetus to revisit the references made by that resolution to the words of the UNESCO Constitution, “since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed”, and to reflect on what the world has achieved and how the world should create a road map for the coming years. Today we are happy to be a part of the process in which the forward-looking follow-up to the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace will be adopted in the General Assembly by consensus. As per the very rationale of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, peace is not the only the absence of conflict. It requires a positive, dynamic participatory process whereby dialogue is encouraged, and conflicts are resolved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation. Likewise, peacebuilding requires a step beyond that to discourage all elements that create conflicts. This includes setting up the socioeconomic infrastructure that is necessary to manage conflicts peacefully, underpinning economic development. Additionally, peacebuilders should be able to manage post-trauma carefully, while strengthening the process of transnational justice and strengthening civil society organizations. The transition from a culture of war to a culture of peace requires the transformation of individual behaviour as well as institutional practices. Learning to live in peace and harmony is a long-term process and begins with the development of inner peace, the nurturing of peaceful citizens and the nurturing of attitudes that promote the expansion and integration of peaceful principles. Education and awareness-raising undoubtedly play a key role in that process. It is against that backdrop that we witness the tragic proliferation of violence and the spread of armed conflicts across the globe. While the spillover impacts of the scourge of war are felt worldwide, the existing practices of discrimination and intolerance  — including those based on race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinions, national or social origin, access to property, disability, birth or other statuses — continue and have been exacerbated due to the impact of the pandemic that we witnessed a few years ago. In that context, my delegation firmly believes that the set of values, attitudes, traditions, modes of behaviour and ways of life conducive to the promotion of peace among individuals, groups and nations should be enshrined in our journey towards realizing our common goals. Former Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that we may have different religions, different languages and different coloured skins but we all belong to one human race. Therefore, promoting a culture of peace involves addressing the root causes of conflict, promoting dialogue and reconciliation and fostering sustainable development and cooperation. It emphasizes the importance of education, communication and participation in building peaceful and inclusive societies. My country has made several endeavours and has seen successful contributions from the established domestic independent mechanisms that we have put in place. While successes are important, it is important to keep in mind that peacebuilding is an ongoing process that must be nurtured carefully to achieve the desired results. The follow-up draft resolution (A/78/L.57) that we will adopt today in the Assembly by consensus should be a clarion call to encourage a culture of peace beyond borders. My delegation is ready to share our own experiences on that subject and to strengthen and solidify what was envisioned in the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. We remain hopeful that follow-up action to the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace will provide an impetus to realize our common aspirations during these turbulent times. I wish to leave members with the thought that respect for diversity is perhaps the most important fundamental principle of peace.

The Philippines aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of Brunei Darussalam on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. We join others in expressing appreciation to the Secretary-General for his report (A/78/591). This year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. We reiterate our support for all efforts being undertaken to promote a culture of peace and interreligious and intercultural dialogue and cooperation. We look forward to the 2025 review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture, including on strengthening and updating the Organization’s toolbox for the prevention of conflict and its recurrence, in particular from the women and peace and security and the youth and peace and security perspectives. As a peacemaker, we are proud of our 20-year partnership with Pakistan in shepherding the General Assembly resolution entitled “Promotion of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for peace”, most recently resolution 78/129. Today that resolution is more relevant than ever in countering the growing and concerning trend of xenophobia and religious intolerance underpinned by identity politics, as well as the emergence of extremist ideologies. We thank all Member States that continue to support the two primary aims of the resolution: to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue to achieve peace and stability and to strengthen the mechanism that promises constructive dialogue across the most divergent divides. We would like also to commend the important role that UNESCO and the United National Alliance of Civilizations play in promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue at all levels. Our success in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao in the south of the Philippines is the centrepiece of our experience in building peace and forging new paths of cooperation. As a pathfinder, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao manifests the vision of the Philippines for people-focused peacebuilding. Inclusive dialogue involving all stakeholders, including women, young people, faith leaders and civil society and conducted in good faith, has produced a credible and solid foundation for self-governance that paves the way for lasting peace and sustainable development. Women played critical roles as negotiators, researchers and community organizers in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao peace process, proving what we have been saying here all along: that when women are at the table, peace is attainable and sustainable. Promoting and investing in the full, equal and meaningful participation and leadership of women should be an important facet of our peacebuilding and peacekeeping efforts. The Philippines will continue to be a reliable partner in peacemaking and peacebuilding efforts and in implementing Security Council resolutions on counter- terrorism and peacebuilding, among other initiatives. Since 1963, the Philippines has been committed to its role in United Nations peacekeeping operations. We intend to expand our footprint of dedicated and professional peacekeepers on the ground, including highly trained women peacekeepers. We believe in the power of diplomacy, dialogue and peaceful negotiations in conflict resolution. The delivery of political and peacebuilding support can also prevent the outbreak of war and help countries transition from conflict to sustainable peace. We share the grave concerns at the nuclear rhetoric and the continued modernization and refinement of nuclear-weapon capabilities. The lowering of the threshold of nuclear weapons sharpens the urgency of efforts to reduce the risk of nuclear use. We emphasize, however, that nuclear-risk reduction is only a pathway towards — and not an alternative to — complete nuclear disarmament. At the same time, we must also address the threats caused by other weapons of mass destruction, new security risks in the fields of cyberspace, outer space and artificial intelligence, and the scourge of the proliferation of all weapons, be they small arms, light weapons or improvised explosive devices. We look forward to the Summit of the Future in September to be held this year as an opportunity to collectively chart our path for peace and development. As has been said before, “there is no peace without development, and there is no development without peace”. We need solidarity to transcend our differences and commit to ending war, eradicating poverty, upholding justice, respecting human rights, achieving sustainable development and maintaining international peace and security. The Philippines continues to firmly advocate for international collaboration and a rules-based order, as well as global partnerships to strengthen multilateralism and the primacy of international law, including the peaceful settlement of international disputes. We believe that such collaboration is crucial in assisting conflict-affected countries, enhancing capacity-building for development and strengthening resilience to security risks. We also remain steadfast in our work towards narrowing development gaps, upholding the interlinked nature of the Sustainable Development Goals and empowering people in vulnerable situations, such as youth, women, older persons and migrant workers. A culture of peace can be upheld only if there is inclusive sustainable development whereby no one is left behind. Let me conclude by echoing what my country’s President recently stated about peace: “Peace is more than the cessation of hostilities. It is about the creation of a social order that values human dignity, improves lives and promotes progress. Peace is totally achieved not when the sound of gunfire has ended. It is when the clamour for better lives has been met.” The Philippines stands resolutely on the side of peace.

At the outset, Thailand aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of Brunei Darussalam on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). As we mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, we note the progress made in the promotion of a culture of peace and of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, as highlighted in the report of the Secretary-General (A/78/591), and look forward to further realization of the Programme of Action. Amid the current geopolitical atmosphere and growing polarization at various levels, the promotion of a culture of peace is all the more important. It is critical for the international community to work together to achieve global peace and strengthen its commitments to maintain peace through dialogue and cooperation. Thailand has always supported harmony and the use of dialogue and peaceful means in addressing differences, and peaceful reconciliation anchored on tolerance, moderation and respect for diversity. In that regard, Thailand would like to emphasize the following points. First, we recognize that promoting a culture of peace requires enhanced mutual understanding, mutual respect and continuous dialogue. We must foster an atmosphere that is more conducive to promoting mutual trust and that enables people and communities with diverse backgrounds and beliefs to live together in harmony and contribute to social and economic progress. As a multicultural society, Thailand continues to promote religious freedom, interfaith and mutual understanding at the national level, as reflected in its Multicultural Society Action Plan 2023–2027, for promoting coexistence. Secondly, a culture of peace helps facilitate a culture of prevention. We believe that a culture of peace helps to reinforce preventive diplomacy, and that helps to promote stability. That is why Thailand has been a supportive member of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and remains committed to supporting UNESCO in its efforts to promote education on a culture of peace. And that is why we believe that the promotion of a culture of peace as well as preventive diplomacy should be an integral part of the ongoing efforts to reinforce multilateralism and therefore captured in the envisaged Pact for the Future and the New Agenda for Peace. Lastly, we emphasize the importance of strengthening engagement at the regional level with a view to contributing to a culture of peace. Enhanced regional dialogue and cooperation help to promote a culture of peace and regional environments that are conducive to regional peace and stability. ASEAN’s community-building process, for example, helps to advance an environment and policies that are conducive to the further development of a culture of peace for Southeast Asia. We therefore welcome continued dialogue and engagement between regional organizations and international organizations to promote best practices, capacity-building and information exchange regarding a culture of peace, and we stress the need to promote it at both the regional and global levels. In conclusion, Thailand wishes to reaffirm its readiness to work closely with the international community to promote a culture of peace for all.

Indonesia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of Brunei Darussalam on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and I would like to add the following remarks in my national capacity. We extend our appreciation for the Secretary- General’s insightful report on fostering interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for peace (A/78/591). Today, as we celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, we commend the delegation of Bangladesh for — and join it in — sponsoring the draft resolution (A/78/L.57), which echoes our shared commitment to that vital agenda. The culture of peace also resonates with Indonesia’s principle, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, or unity in diversity, which guides our efforts in promoting peace and harmony across the diverse cultural and religious landscape throughout the archipelago and beyond. Against that backdrop, allow me to share three efforts that are critical to advancing the culture of peace — empowering, ensuring and elevating. First, we should empower the digital landscape for the peace agenda. The transformative impact of digital platforms not only bridges divides but also serves as a platform to provide innovative ways to promote peace, understanding and solidarity worldwide. In 2002, Indonesia supported UNESCO’s project entitled “Social Media 4 Peace”, which seeks to enhance society’s resilience against harmful online content. That initiative exemplifies how targeted digital interventions can propagate the values of peace and cooperation effectively. Secondly, we should ensure partnerships at the national and regional levels for robust implementation. Indonesia leads with programmes that enhance intercultural dialogue and understanding. Among others, our national education curriculum includes a model to implement tolerance between ethnic cultures and religions. That commitment supports broader regional efforts such as those exemplified at the ASEAN Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue Conference held in Jakarta in August 2023. That synergy between national endeavours and regional cooperation underscores Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening the culture of peace, both at home and across the region. Thirdly, we should elevate international cooperation towards culture-of-peace initiatives. As global connection grows, so does the risk of conflicts sparked by cultural and religious misunderstanding. Advancing international cooperation towards peace cultural initiatives is not just beneficial — it is crucial. The resolution on measures to combat Islamophobia (resolution 78/264), which was championed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, exemplifies the need for concrete strides. Such efforts showcase the strength of working together to tackle divisive issues at their root, where we can effectively confront and lessen the barriers to intercultural understanding and harmony. Indonesia stands ready to lead and support global efforts to advance this noble agenda and we invite all Members to intensify our collaboration, learn from each other and build a resilient, peaceful world for our future generations.

The Togolese delegation is pleased to take part in this plenary meeting devoted to the General Assembly’s traditional debate on a culture of peace. It takes note of the report of the Secretary-General (A/78/591) and thanks the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations for coordinating its preparation. The world continues to be the theatre for an array of conflicts raging in various corners of the globe, to which we have sometimes failed to respond as a result of our inability to act or lack of will. That observation on the persistence of conflicts throughout the world is shared by the Secretary-General, who also stresses in his report that they are taking place in an international context marked by the acceleration of digitalization and artificial intelligence. For its part, Togo continues to reaffirm its opposition to war and all threats to peace. Its commitment to peace and peace’s intrinsic values is part of the long-standing diplomatic tradition from which our country has never departed. Therefore, on behalf of the Togolese Government, I would like to reiterate my country’s support for peace initiatives at all levels in the increasingly complex international environment, which is marked by the emergence of new threats whose elimination must be part of a renewed geopolitical vision. From that perspective, my delegation would like to reaffirm its support for the Secretary-General’s policy brief on A New Agenda for Peace, which proposes responses that are adapted to the changing environment and could contribute to the lasting establishment of a culture of peace. Furthermore, we believe that although they were adopted more than a quarter of a century ago, the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace remain relevant to the concerns of the world today, insofar as they enshrine our common adherence to shared values that remain indivisible regardless of the prevailing environment and the nature of ongoing crises. For some years now, the West African subregion has experienced a worrisome deterioration in security marked by the persistence of the terrorist threat, which, having spread rampantly throughout the Sahel, has ended up affecting coastal States, including my own country, Togo. Given Togo’s commitment to the ideals and values of peace, that difficult current situation, to which my country’s Government is providing a commensurate response, has enabled Togolese and other citizens of the world to appreciate more fully the importance of peace, which is an inestimable asset that must be preserved at all costs. Given that challenging subregional context, the Togolese Government published a strategy for the Sahel in 2021 that aims to establish peace in that region in particular and in West Africa in general, based on four main tracks  — regional and interregional cooperation in the service of peace and stability; exporting the Togolese vision of peace, that is, a constructive peace that is authentic and transcends the mere absence of war; support for political normalization processes, democratic transition and reconciliation efforts through mediation; and support for responsible governance for greater social and political inclusion. As a result of the strategy, my country has contributed to resolving crises and conflicts on the African continent. Through its involvement in the resolution of those crises and conflicts, Togo would like to recall for everyone that African ownership and empowerment are key concepts for crisis management on the continent, which are provided for under the African Peace and Security Architecture established on the initiative of the States of the African Union, with the mission of providing African responses to African problems in the overall area of peace and security. Similarly, as it is aware of the extent of the geopolitical reconfiguration of Africa and its effects on stability and with a view to maintaining the debate on peace and security on a continent in the throes of change, my country, with the support of other partners, launched the Lomé Peace and Security Forum, which held its first session from 20 to 22 October 2023. Togo’s efforts to promote peace have been acknowledged by the Economic Community of West African States, which declared Lomé the Capital of Peace, Mediation, Dialogue and Tolerance at the third session of its Forum on Education for a Culture of Peace through Intra- and Interreligious Dialogue, held in Lomé from 27 to 29 October 2022. At the national level, in addition to the security response to the terrorist threat established to defend the integrity of the country and protect its population, my country’s Government adopted in 2022 a national strategy to combat violent extremism, whose implementation is coordinated by an interministerial committee. In the same year, a risk analysis unit was set up with the support of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency to promote the exchange of information between experts from Togo and other countries on violent extremism and terrorism. The establishment of a culture of peace undeniably requires the pacification of the international environment, whose stability remains compromised by the non-resolution of a number of problems to which we would like to draw the attention of the General Assembly. First, we urge respect for multilateralism, which is the foundation on which the Organization was founded. For Togo, that requires the reform of Security Council. It is unacceptable that within that organ, which has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, a few States enjoy excessive rights to the detriment not only of sovereign equality but also of multilateralism. My delegation would therefore like to reiterate Togo’s commitment to the Common African Position on Security Council reform, as contained in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. Secondly, my delegation stresses the need to prioritize preventive diplomacy and peaceful conflict- resolution mechanisms. From that perspective, it welcomes the relevant initiatives taken by the United Nations, including the approval by the General Assembly of an annual allocation of $50 million for peacebuilding. Similarly, with a view to ensuring the effective prevention and resolution of conflicts and the establishment of a sustainable culture of peace, we believe that any action taken in the context of a crisis or conflict should contribute to its resolution and not its maintenance or exacerbation. In that regard, it is important to include peacebuilding actions in an appropriate approach that takes into account the root causes of crises and conflicts. Furthermore, my delegation calls for all Member States  — and in particular the military Powers — to commit to ensuring that the disarmament that we so long for is not limited to the eternal renewal of theoretical commitments that we are unfortunately accustomed to seeing, but rather turned into reality by the practical implementation of those commitments. In addition, we must insist on the need to respect not only the sovereignty of each State but also our societal diversities, which correspond to cultural realities that we must learn to consider and not despise. My country is therefore in favour of dialogue among cultures to promote a true culture of peace. Above all, the commitment to peace that we continue to proclaim must be illustrated through concrete acts to appropriate the values of a culture of peace. In that regard, my delegation welcomes the compromises that have been reached regarding long-standing or recent conflicts and calls for those compromises to be strengthened with a view to facilitating the peaceful and lasting resolution of those conflicts. In view of the Summit of the Future, which will be a crucial moment in our history, we call for peace wherever in the world conflict rages and undermines consensual efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. To achieve such an outcome, collective commitment and comprehensive and sustained action are needed, as stated by the Secretary-General in his report. In conclusion, I would like to reflect on the wise words of former President Nelson Mandela, which emphasize the importance of peace and construction rather than destruction: “[i]t is so easy to break and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build”. My country, Togo, will always be on the side of peace.

In addition to the statement by the representative of Venezuela on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations, I would like to state the following in my national capacity. Yesterday the General Assembly discussed the abominable veto of the United States on the admission of the State of Palestine as a Member of the United Nations (see A/78/PV.74 and A/78/PV.75). Nothing is further from promoting a culture of peace than that act, which demonstrates, on the one hand, the absence of true commitment to the two-State solution and, on the other, yet again, the fact that the United States is complicit in the genocide that Israel is committing against the Palestinian people with full impunity and before the very eyes of the international community. It is ridiculous to think that there can be a culture of peace while 34,000 people  — the majority of whom were women and children — as well as humanitarian personnel and United Nations personnel have died as a result of Israel’s indiscriminate attacks in Gaza, or while there are attempts to minimize or justify Israel’s colonizing practices, apartheid, abuses of Palestinians’ human rights and violations of international law, including international humanitarian law, over the course of seven decades. There can be no peace without economic and social development, justice and equity for all. There can be no peace or any prospects of building a culture that enables peace if the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and those of international law are undermined or if they are invoked selectively and in a discriminatory fashion. Neither can there be a culture of peace while destabilizing agendas, unconventional war tactics and changes to legitimately constituted orders are being promoted or while the issue of human rights is manipulated and used against developing countries at the same time as there is complicit silence regarding the atrocities committed by rich countries. The promotion of false exceptionalism, hate speech and supremacist, racist and xenophobic ideas also constitute direct attacks on the culture of peace. The imposition of unilateral coercive measures as a tool to apply pressure also does not contribute to a culture of peace. Those measures run counter to the Charter of the United Nations and international law. They deny sovereign equality and are grounded in the supposed moral superiority of some over others, which undermines the very spirit of the culture of peace. For daring to defend their right to follow their own path and be truly free, the Cuban people have had to suffer for more than 60 years at the hands of the United States, as a result of the imposition of the longest economic, commercial and financial embargo against any country, with a direct, daily and highly negative impact on Cubans’ quality of life. That policy of permanent hostility, opportunistically stepped up during the pandemic and with Cuba’s unjustifiable inclusion on the fraudulent list of supposed State sponsors of terrorism, along with the acts of disinformation and unconventional war orchestrated and financed from the United States to foster instability, incite violence and subvert our constitutional order, run counter to the notion of a culture of peace. Faced with that constant hostility, Cuba has always defended and will continue to defend its sovereignty and its right to live in peace, using the country model that our people have chosen freely. My country is staunchly committed to the implementation of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, which remains fully relevant in the turbulent world in which we live. We also reaffirm and defend international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, which was signed by the Heads of State and Government of the countries of our region in Havana in 2014. However, a peaceful world will remain a utopia until multilateralism and cooperation are prioritized, our legitimate differences are respected and hegemonic appetites are no longer promoted. A culture of peace can only come to fruition if there is peace and justice for all, including the Palestinian people, to whom we reaffirm our full solidarity.

We thank the President for convening this plenary meeting. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Secretary-General for his report submitted under the agenda item “Culture of peace” (A/78/591), which contains important information regarding the United Nations system activities and measures undertaken to encourage dialogues between religions and cultures, as well as achievements and challenges. We also thank Bangladesh for its valuable efforts in presenting draft resolution A/78/L.57 on the “Follow-up to the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace”. Qatar is pleased to be among the States co-sponsoring the draft resolution and reiterates it staunch commitment to promoting the values of peace, tolerance and international understanding. Qatar believes that a culture of peace is a vital bridge to promote communication among peoples and diverse cultures. Cultural diversity promotes mutual understanding and helps to foster a spirit of peaceful coexistence among nations and peoples. Qatar is seen as a platform for international dialogue and we will continue with our efforts to encourage the exchange of cultural expertise as a means to build bridges of understanding among various cultures through cultural and educational events that contribute to promoting the values of mutual respect and tolerance. Qatar stresses the importance of education in the promotion of a culture of peace. Education can be an effective tool to strengthen the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence. Through its active role in the international community, Qatar strives to promote peace and understanding at a regional and international level by supporting initiatives that enhance opportunities to ensure high quality education for millions of students. We attach the utmost importance to the promotion of a culture of peace in the digital age. It is important to assess and discuss the impact of the digital transformation in the implementation of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, adopted in 1999. It is important to use digital technology and tools to promote a culture of peace and to combat violence and hate speech. We are experiencing a digital transformation. That dimension of a culture of peace brings with it opportunities and challenges that require stepping up our efforts within the international community to determine the best way to manage this new landscape. We support all measures to promote a culture of peace through our full commitment to effectively implement the Declaration and Programme of Action, in addition to the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly. We take this opportunity to note the fact that a culture of peace is more than an absence of conflict and violence. Rather, it is the expression of a sustained effort to build a flexible and inclusive society, to ensure sustainable economic and social development and respect for human rights and to combat social injustice, hate speech, terrorism, violence and the spread of misinformation and disinformation that incite violence. There is a responsibility that the international community must shoulder, namely, identifying opportunities and finding the proper means to seize them so as to best promote a culture of peace in all spheres, including through providing access to quality and inclusive education for all, including women and girls. The participation of young people is also important. Healthcare systems must be developed, and we must facilitate access to those systems. We must strive to achieve gender equality and promote the rights of persons with disabilities and older persons. We must promote the role of sport in building a culture of peace, solidarity, tolerance, social inclusion and understanding among peoples. Making progress in all of those areas ultimately serves the interest of international efforts to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. In conclusion, Qatar will leave no stone unturned in its ongoing cooperation with all Member States to promote a culture of peace and global understanding. We reiterate the importance of pooling efforts to make joint progress towards a more peaceful world in which understanding, peace and justice prevail.

Pakistan welcomes the consideration of this important agenda item on a culture of peace. We thank the Secretary-General for the report contained in document A/78/591. The realization of a culture of peace, as delineated in article 3 of the Declaration on a Culture of Peace, is intrinsically linked with adherence to the central purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Unfortunately, despite our unanimously expressed desire to promote a culture of peace, the world is witnessing the rise of hate, violence and war. More than 300 conflicts are raging across the world. The right of peoples to self-determination is being brutally suppressed, especially in Palestine and in Jammu and Kashmir. We see the spread of discrimination, bigotry, xenophobia and Islamophobia, even in mature democracies. Pakistan and the member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation initiated the adoption of resolution 76/254, designating 15 March as the day to combat Islamophobia. On that date, earlier this year, the General Assembly adopted resolution 78/264, on measures to combat Islamophobia. We look forward to the appointment of the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to combat Islamophobia and the initiation of a plan of action to combat Islamophobia. The world cannot but be deeply concerned at the officially sanctioned manifestations of Islamophobia in India. Since the Bharatiya Janata Party-Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (BJP-RSS) Government assumed office in 2014, hate, oppression and violence against India’s 200 million Muslims and other minorities — Christians and lower-caste Dalits — have become rampant and systematic, fuelled by the ideology of Hindutva. That ideology, inspired by and born a century ago, contemporaneously with European fascism, was explicitly expressed by Golwalkar, one of its early proponents, in the following words: “The foreign races of Hindustan must adopt the Hindu culture and language ... must entertain no idea but those of the glorification of the Hindu race and culture ... or may stay in the country, wholly subordinated to the Hindu nation, claiming nothing ... not even citizens’ rights.” This ideology is being systematically implemented today in Modi’s India. It is led by the governing BJP’s mother organization, the RSS, which has a dedicated militia of 600,000 fanatical volunteers. One of its members assassinated Mahatma Gandhi. A shrine has been built for the assassin. Indeed, over the past 50 years, since it was banned as a terrorist organization, the RSS has paved the way for the BJP’s path to power with violence and hate against Muslims. That was clearly manifested in a series of pogroms in 1992, when the RSS-led militants destroyed the historic Babri Mosque in Ayodhya and killed more than 1,000 Muslims in Ayodhya and Bombay, and in 2002, when more than 2,000 Muslim men, women and children were killed mercilessly in Gujarat, where Mr. Modi was the Chief Minister. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) commentary on that pogrom was banned, and the BBC was investigated by the Indian Government for tax evasion. In April 2020, scores of Muslims were killed with impunity and official complicity in front of the eyes of the world in New Delhi. The repression of Muslims and Christians is now systematic and pervasive in India. A citizenship law and national registry list is designed to exclude Muslims from citizenship and to intern or expel them eventually. Protests against those discriminatory laws have been brutally suppressed. Cow vigilantes lynch, kill and assault Muslims with official approbation. Muslim men are persecuted for so-called “love jihad” to prevent them from marrying Hindu women. Extremist Hindu groups have expressly called for genocide against Muslims. The organization Genocide Watch has warned of the possibility of the genocide of Muslims in India and in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. And just last week, Prime Minister Modi himself fuelled the hate and violence against Muslims, calling them infiltrators who would be taking the wealth of Hindu men and women. An official campaign to eliminate India’s rich Islamic heritage is part of the Hindutva campaign. History textbooks are being rewritten to eliminate references to India’s Muslim rulers and its glorious period of Islamic rule. Muslim place names are being replaced by Hindu names. The Indian Supreme Court not only failed to punish those who destroyed the historic Babri Mosque, but also allowed them to build the Ram Temple on the site of the destroyed mosque. That temple was inaugurated with much fanfare by Prime Minister Modi earlier this year. Days later, the 500-year-old Kunji Mosque in Delhi was destroyed with apparent official authorization. Hindu groups are seeking to transform other mosques, such as the one in Varanasi, into Hindu temples. Thousands of other mosques and Muslim religious sites across India are under threat. We urge the Secretary-General to implement the Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites. India’s Christian minority has not been spared either. The organization Genocide Watch says that, in January 2023 in Manipur, 249 churches were destroyed within 36 hours. In 2023 there were 525 attacks against Christians in India. The Dalits face similar discrimination and violence, and hate against the Sikhs is rising again. Hindutva extremism has turbocharged the repression of the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir. After the unilateral and illegal measures taken on 5 August 2019 to annex Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, India has deployed 900,000 troops to impose what it ominously calls a “final solution” for Kashmir. The Indian occupation is brutal and pervasive. All the pro-freedom Hurriyat leaders remain incarcerated. Several have died in suspicious circumstances in Indian custody. More than 13,000 young Kashmiri men have been abducted, and many of them have been tortured. Hundreds of innocent Kashmiris are extrajudicially killed each year, with impunity, in fake encounters and cordon-and-search operations. Pakistan has circulated to the United Nations a detailed dossier with concrete evidence of more than 2,400 crimes committed by named Indian officials in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The massive violation of human rights in Jammu and Kashmir has been documented in two reports issued by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and by several of the Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteurs. India has consistently denied the requests for access to occupied Jammu and Kashmir to the High Commissioner and to the Special Rapporteurs. And yet India falsely claims that the situation is normal in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The situation in occupied Jammu and Kashmir will never be normal until the people of Jammu and Kashmir are allowed to exercise their right to self-determination through a plebiscite held under United Nations auspices, as called for by several Security Council resolutions and accepted by India. The Jammu and Kashmir dispute is an open wound that can once again trigger a disastrous conflict between Pakistan and India. It needs to be resolved urgently, in accordance with the resolutions of the Security Council and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. Far from seeking a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, the extremist BJP-RSS Government has resorted to belligerence and aggression against Pakistan. The Defence Minister of India has threatened to take over Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir; the Army chief has threatened to cross the line of control. India is accumulating new and advanced weapons systems, with — some say — the pretext of containing China, but those systems are almost all deployed against Pakistan. India’s armed forces have adopted dangerous doctrines, including the “cold start” doctrine, to launch a surprise attack against Pakistan, and another doctrine contemplating “a limited war under the nuclear overhang”. To coerce Pakistan and disrupt the China- Pakistan economic corridor, India is financing and sponsoring terrorist groups, especially the Tehreek-i- Taliban Pakistan and the Baloch Liberation Army, to conduct attacks in Pakistan across our western borders. Two days ago. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister informed the Security Council, the Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly of India’s campaign of targeted assassinations in Pakistan. That extraterritorial State terrorism is not limited to Pakistan. It has been extended to targeted killings of political opponents in Canada and attempted in the United States and probably in other countries. The Washington Post reported that last week, Prime Minister Modi told his cheering supporters, “Today, even India’s enemies know: this is Modi. This is the new India. This new India comes into your home and kills you.” I submit that that new India is a dangerous entity. It is a net provider of insecurity, not security. Its arrogance, belligerence and sense of impunity are likely to trigger regional and global conflict. When the forces of fascism and Nazism were appeased and accommodated 100 years ago, that led to the Second World War. The Gaza genocide illustrates the consequences of offering impunity to extremist regimes. Unless Hindutva fascism is opposed, unless the sense of impunity of the BJP-RSS is ended, unless the Indian Muslims are protected against genocide and unless the Kashmiri dispute is peacefully solved, wider violence and conflict in South Asia are a real and present danger. And what happens in South Asia will not remain in South Asia. In our turbulent world, the promotion of a culture of peace is not only desirable but imperative. Our strategy must energetically promote the values of peace and harmony as part of the dialogue among civilizations, but we must also confront and reverse the dark forces of fascism, aggression and occupation and the threat they pose to peace, prosperity and stability and the maintenance of a world order based on the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations.

At the outset, allow me to express deep appreciation to Bangladesh for presenting the annual draft resolution on the “Follow-up to the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace” (A/78/L.57) and to other countries that are taking the lead on initiatives to enrich the agenda of the promotion of a culture of peace with within the United Nations system and beyond. Egypt, with its firm belief in the value of peace as a cornerstone of stability and a building block in the development of nations, is one of the main sponsors and promoters of such initiatives and resolutions, be it under the aegis of the United Nations or at regional and multilateral levels. Egypt is also one of the main supporters of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the Alliance’s role in promoting dialogue and understanding, including intercultural and interreligious dialogue, especially in an era in which, regrettably, we are witnessing a rise in hate speech, discrimination, racism, xenophobia, extremist ideologies and violence. We are meeting today under the agenda item of a culture of peace but, regrettably, in the absence of peace. The current genocidal war on the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza, which has been raging for more than seven months with no end in imminent sight has resulted in the killing of more than 30,000 civilians, more than half of them women and children. The genocidal war of aggression is the result of, and has been preceded and accompanied by, a discourse of dehumanization of the Palestinian people — the exact antithesis to a culture of peace. Stopping the war in Gaza is an imperative for the international community and an obligation on States that is grounded in their due compliance with international law, including international humanitarian law, and with the dictates of human conscience. For peace to prevail, the Palestinian people must enjoy their right to self-determination through the establishment of a sovereign, independent State of Palestine, on the basis of the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. It is well established that peace is not the absence of conflict. It is indeed a continuum that requires effort and an enabling environment to sustain it. It is grounded in the promotion of dialogue, understanding and respect for cultural diversity with a view to promoting harmony, social cohesion and stability. During the past year alone, we have witnessed a rise in hate speech and Islamophobic acts, fuelled by extremist ideologies and a hesitance to take concrete steps towards preventing, and establishing accountability for, such acts. Such acts lead to social instability, tension and a vicious cycle of violence and therefore run counter to a culture of peace. The magnitude of the global challenges that our world faces today requires us to take a stand, not only to respond to, but also to proactively engage to prevent, the destruction and sabotaging of a culture of peace. The tenets of the United Nations system — peace, security, development and human rights — are mutually reinforcing, as we all know, and interconnected. Accordingly, national and international action should work in tandem on those three fronts. It should be grounded in the promotion of, inter alia, social development, including by achieving social justice; promoting social dialogue; eradicating poverty; awarding compensation for historical grievances among nations; and addressing the root causes of extremist discourse, terrorism and structural inequalities among nations, with full respect for human rights, in particular the right to development. Advancing a culture of peace requires sustained effort in the areas of education and awareness-raising, the promotion and protection of human rights, the empowerment of women and engagement with youth and relevant actors at communal, societal, national and international levels. The role of religious and community leaders, intellectuals, academia and opinion leaders cannot be overemphasized in that context. The role and impact of social media platforms and the ensuing responsibility of States and the business sector in that regard also cannot be ignored. As we are deeply engaged in the preparations for the Summit of the Future, the Pact for the Future and the discussions about the Global Digital Compact, strong emphasis should be placed on the ingredients for the promotion of a culture of peace, dialogue, understanding and respect for cultural diversity and the sovereignty of States and their right to determine their social, political and economic models free from coercion. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate Egypt’s full commitment towards promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue, fraternity and, ultimately, the promotion of a comprehensive culture of peace.

Members would perhaps agree with me that, in today’s global landscape, the significance of a culture of peace is paramount. It champions dialogue over discord, urging nations to favour diplomacy and communication above confrontation or warfare. That is especially relevant as we navigate ongoing conflicts worldwide, which demand open communication, dialogue and mutual respect to forge lasting peace. The Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace underscores the transformative power of dialogue and cross-cultural understanding in preventing conflicts and fostering sustainable development As far as my country, India, is concerned, a culture of peace is deeply ingrained in its rich history, diverse traditions and profound philosophical tenets. Ancient Indian texts like the Vedas and the Upanishads promote values of harmony, compassion and non-violence  — principles that have shaped my country’s ethos. The doctrine of ahimsa, championed by Mahatma Gandhi, continues to be a bedrock of India’s commitment to peace. And with its remarkable religious and linguistic diversity, India’s cultural mosaic is a testament to tolerance and coexistence. Festivals such as Diwali, Eid, Christmas and Nowruz transcend religious boundaries, celebrating shared joys among diverse communities. The country’s myriad languages, dialects and cuisines, alongside its rich tapestry of races, colours and landscapes, contributes to the resilience and richness of India’s composite culture. And India is not only the birth place of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, but also a stronghold for Islam, Judaism, Christianity and Zoroastrianism. It has historically been a refuge for persecuted faiths, illustrating its long-standing embrace of diversity. We therefore commend Bangladesh for presenting today’s draft resolution, entitled “Follow-up to the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace” (A/78/L.57), which India proudly co-sponsors. In our world today we face significant challenges arising from geopolitical tensions and uneven development. The growing intolerance, discrimination and violence on the basis of religion or belief demand our urgent attention. We are particularly concerned about the escalating attacks on sacred sites, including churches, monasteries, gurdwaras, mosques, temples and synagogues. Such acts require a swift and united response from the global community. It is therefore crucial that our discussions forthrightly address these issues, resisting political expediencies. We must tackle these challenges directly and ensure that they are central to our policy dialogues and international engagements. I will also state that terrorism stands in direct opposition to the culture of peace and the core teachings of all religions, which advocate compassion, understanding and coexistence. It sows discord, breeds hostility and undermines the universal values of respect and harmony, which underpin cultural and religious traditions worldwide. It is essential for Member States to work together actively to nurture a genuine culture of peace and to view the world as a united family, as my country strongly believes. In keeping with its civilizational values, India remains dedicated to upholding the ideals of humanity, democracy and non-violence. I conclude with a profound quote from our sacred Bhagavad Gita that encapsulates the essence of a culture of peace: “When a person responds to the joys and sorrows of others as if they were his own, he attains the highest state of spiritual union.” Lastly, in the Assembly, as we endeavour to cultivate a culture of peace amid these challenging times, our focus remains steadfast on constructive dialogue. We thus choose to set aside the remarks from a certain delegation, which not only lack decorum, but also detract from our collective efforts owing to their destructive and pernicious nature. We would strongly encourage that delegation to align with the essential principles of respect and diplomacy that must always guide our discussions. Or is that too much to ask of a country that harbours a most dubious track record on all aspects in itself?

China associates itself with the statement delivered by the representative of Venezuela delivered on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations. The world today is in turmoil and chaos, with diminishing peace, development, security and governance amid widespread and myriad forms of inequality and intolerance. Given the current international situation, it is especially timely and necessary to emphasize the importance of promoting a culture of peace. I would like to make several points in that regard. First, States must stay committed to equality and mutual trust. Equal treatment, mutual respect and trust are the basic preconditions for maintaining security. All countries, regardless of wealth and power, are equal members of the international community. History has proved time and again that undermining the principle of sovereign equality and engaging in power politics, military intervention and democratic transformation at will only sows the seeds of conflict and instability. We must uphold the principle of indivisible security; establish and put into practice a shared, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable concept of security; promote a new form of international relations, featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation; insist on resolving conflicts through dialogue and consultation; and address non-traditional security threats through international cooperation, joining together to build a secure community for humankind. More than 200 days have elapsed since the eruption of the latest round of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which has resulted in many civilian casualties, a dire humanitarian crisis and the continued spread of its negative spillover effects. It is therefore imperative that Security Council resolution 2728 (2024) be effectively implemented, and a ceasefire and humanitarian assistance promptly ensured. The fundamental solution is a full implementation of the two-State solution and breaking the vicious cycle of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict once and for all. China calls on the international community, especially countries with influence, to play a constructive role in maintaining regional peace and stability. Secondly, States must remain committed to common development. Peace and development are intrinsically linked. The foundations of lasting peace can be laid only through inclusive and sustainable development. Peaceful global development cannot be achieved if some countries become richer amid the chronic poverty and backwardness of others. Only by addressing the causes of unequal, inadequate and unbalanced development in favour of promoting shared and sustainable development for all will the world be able to move towards a better future. The practices of economic decoupling, suppressing science and technology and imposing unilateral sanctions only impede and interfere with global development. Such practices are immoral and doomed to failure. We must fully implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, return development issues to the top of our international agenda, jointly advocate inclusive economic globalization, create a favourable external environment for the advancement of developing countries and jointly address the global development deficit. Thirdly, States must remain committed to mutual learning among civilizations. Deepening exchanges and mutual learning are an important way to remove barriers and misunderstanding and to promote connection and harmony. The diversity of civilizations is a basic feature of human society. Each civilization, in its uniqueness, is the fruit of human wisdom and deserves equal respect. We must uphold equality and respect, reject arrogance and prejudice, promote harmonious coexistence and joint progress among civilizations and make exchange and the shared knowledge of civilizations a driving force for human progress and a bond for maintaining world peace. China will submit to the General Assembly a draft resolution on the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, with a view to further enhancing the appreciation of the value of exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations and helping the international community to unite in its response to global challenges. We hope that the draft resolution will receive strong support from Member States. China’s commitment to promoting modernization on its path of peaceful development benefits both China and the world. China proposed global development, security and civilization initiatives with the aim of safeguarding the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law and of promoting solutions to the problems of peace and development faced by humankind. China is ready to work with the international community to address global challenges and join hands in building a community with a shared future for humankind.

At the outset, Suriname wishes to thank the Secretary-General for his report on this agenda item (A/78/591). As we mark the twenty- fifth anniversary of the Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace this year, we reflect on the profound significance of nurturing a culture that fosters mutual respect, empathy and solidarity among all peoples. Suriname believes that embracing diversity is not merely a moral imperative but a strategic necessity in our collective pursuit of a more peaceful and prosperous world. That is why Suriname has co-sponsored draft resolution A/78/L.57. We cannot ignore the harsh realities of our world today. Ongoing conflicts fuelled by political, economic and ideological divides continue to impose a heavy toll on innocent lives and threaten the stability of the world. Suriname stands in solidarity with all those affected by violence and conflict and strongly believes that conflicts can be resolved only through peaceful means and by promoting reconciliation. In the face of such challenges, the importance of dialogue as a tool for building bridges and fostering understanding cannot be overstated. Suriname firmly believes that by engaging in open and respectful conversations, we can bridge divides, eliminate misunderstandings and forge common ground for cooperation. Yet the road to peace is not without obstacles. The proliferation of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech presents a significant barrier to dialogue and understanding. False narratives have the power to inflame tensions, deepen mistrust and exacerbate conflicts. Suriname emphasizes the urgent need for joint efforts to counter those obstacles through education and media literacy. Furthermore, the promotion of peace and security requires a holistic approach that addresses the root causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality and injustice. Suriname remains committed to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions, as integral components of our efforts to build a more peaceful and inclusive world. In conclusion, as we navigate the complexities of the modern world, let us draw inspiration from the values of dialogue, understanding and cooperation embraced by the Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. Let us seize this opportunity to redouble our efforts in building a world where diversity is celebrated, differences are respected and peace prevails.

I wish to express our appreciation to the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report under this agenda item (A/78/591). Myanmar acknowledges the efforts undertaken by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and UNESCO in promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue and cooperation to promote a culture of peace. Myanmar aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of Brunei Darussalam on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Myanmar co-sponsored draft resolution A/78/L.57 and thanks Bangladesh for its leadership. This year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. Our multipolar world remains divided with geopolitical competition, protracted conflicts and violence, nuclear rhetoric and military coups. The deteriorating peace and security environment and the lack of effective action are resulting in growing public mistrust in our multilateral institutions. Against that backdrop, the upcoming Summit of the Future offers a great opportunity to rebuild public trust in the global governance and multilateral system and to redouble our efforts towards achieving peace. The Secretary-General’s policy brief on a New Agenda for Peace reaffirms that in order to complement diplomatic action at the international and regional levels, a focus on prevention at the national level is essential to sustaining peace. We are of the view that a focus on prevention is possible only if the rule of law, the protection of human rights and just and accountable institutions prevail. Sadly, in my country, Myanmar, those central tenets of peace have been totally dismantled following the attempted military coup in 2021. Nearly 5,000 people have been brutally killed, and more than 26,000 have been arbitrarily arrested by the military junta. Indiscriminate shelling, aerial attacks and the burning and destruction of homes by the military junta have forced more than 2.8 million people to become internally displaced and have left 18.6 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. The military junta continues to weaponize aid and hinder humanitarian access. Atrocities committed by the military junta against the people amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. The proliferation of the illicit economy, including online scams and drug and human trafficking, is one of the prominent symptoms of the breakdown of the rule of law and growing corruption. Poverty levels are also deepening, with nearly half of the population living below the national poverty line. That suffering has been further exacerbated by the military’s unlawful forced conscription. Some young people are hiding or fleeing the country to avoid it. Here, I wish to inform the General Assembly of the appeal and commitment made by our young people. Recently, I received a video conveying the personal appeals of young people, including middle school students. In her statement, one eighth grade student said that she was worried about being forcefully recruited by the military junta under its forced conscription. She then fled to a liberated area. She stated that she would play whatever role she could in the revolution against the military junta. We are sadly losing the contributions and potential of our young people, who are integral to maintaining a culture of peace for the present and future generations. The events that we have been through over the past three years prove that supporting the junta militarily or financially will enable it to kill more people and further destroy young people’s future. I therefore urge countries to stop such support to the military junta now. It will save so many innocent lives. Although many lessons can be learned from our previous peace process, a clear road map of peace, with a promising future, lies ahead in Myanmar. The National Unity Government and key ethnic resistance organizations issued a joint statement on 31 January laying out a plan for the future of Myanmar. We envision the establishment of a federal democratic union that upholds the principles of democracy, equality and self-determination. The important fact is that without transitional justice, we do not think that we can create an environment for a culture of peace or find a sustainable solution to our crisis. Importantly, we need to end the culture of impunity enjoyed by the military junta. The culture of impunity and the culture of peace cannot simply coexist. In other words, the military dictatorship and lasting peace are incompatible in Myanmar. In conclusion, Our Common Agenda (A/75/982) outlined that a culture of peace must be based on a better understanding of the underlying drivers that sustain conflict. The people of Myanmar have an unequivocal understanding that the military has been the primary cause of systemic campaigns of violence, atrocities, intercommunal conflicts and ethnic grievances over many decades. Clearly, the greatest and most immediate obstacle to the sustainable future of Myanmar is the military dictatorship. The international community must pay close attention to the people’s voices and support the home-grown, people-centred and bottom- up process of cultivating peace in Myanmar. Support and reinforcement from the international community should be based on the genuine aspirations of our people. The international community’s effective support of the people of Myanmar will definitely save many lives and rescue the people from unspeakable tragedy. I therefore reiterate that eradicating the military dictatorship and building a federal democratic union are our clear road towards building a sustainable culture of peace in Myanmar.

We thank the President of the General Assembly for convening today’s meeting on promoting a culture of peace. The Russian Federation firmly believes in the enduring importance of a unifying agenda at a time when the global community is facing emerging challenges and is constantly searching for renewed, up- to-date approaches to ensuring humankind’s stable and sustainable development. We align ourselves with the statement made by the representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations and would like to add the following comments in our national capacity. Today the United Nations is a vast and extensive system of bodies and agencies at the forefront of intergovernmental joint decision-making on a vast and ever-expanding range of issues. The topics discussed at the Organization are so diverse and States’ approaches are often so contradictory that sometimes, in our discussions, the unifying goals on which the United Nations was founded, after the victory over Nazism and fascism in 1945, are overshadowed. We will commemorate the anniversary of this victory on 9 May. At that time, it was hard to imagine that, almost 80 years later, racist, xenophobic, and supremacist speech and expressions of exclusivity would resound with renewed vigour and that intolerance on the basis of religion, ethnicity or language would become part of everyday life. Terrorism and extremism continue to threaten the world and find breeding grounds. Such a devastating situation can be reversed only by promoting dialogue among different nations, cultures and civilizations and the full realization of the principle of cooperation among States. The need to promote the ideals of mutual understanding, tolerance and solidarity, including towards ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, is enshrined in the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, adopted in 1999. We are particularly grateful to the delegation of Bangladesh for its active leadership role in producing the draft resolution (A/78/L.57), on measures to implement the Declaration, and we are pleased to co-sponsor the document. We fully support the convening of a high-level forum to commemorate the twenty- fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration, as well as the Secretary-General’s outreach efforts to raise global awareness about the Programme of Action. The Alliance of Civilizations is a promising and proven platform for strengthening intercultural and intercivilizational understanding. We count on its superlatively active role in promoting respect for the cultural, religious and civilizational specificities of peoples and look forward to new projects. Russia is open to dialogue and the exchange of best practices in strengthening solidarity, fraternity and dialogue among civilizations and cultures. The Russian Federation is a multi-ethnic and multireligious State in which East meets West, all traditional religions are represented and representatives of more than 190 nationalities live in peace and harmony. More than a thousand years of experience of statehood and deep historical ties with both the Eurasian and traditional European cultures have defined Russia’s position as a distinctive State-civilization, and the diversity of people living in Russia has formed a single cultural and civilizational community. In promoting solidarity and tolerance, Russia pays special attention to young people. Accordingly, in early March, the World Youth Festival was held in the city of Sochi, in the federal territory of Sirius. It was attended by approximately 20,000 representatives from more than 180 States. Festival guests were invited to visit specific Russian regions. It was important for us to familiarize them with the cultural and national diversity of our country. They had the opportunity not only to learn about art and culture, but also to visit high- tech and industrial companies. We hope that our guests who took part in the Festival will warmly remember the atmosphere of friendliness, good-heartedness, openness and the hospitality of our people. By popular request, the Russian Government has decided to hold the Youth Festival on a regular basis. The initiative will undoubtedly contribute to developing international solidarity and interpersonal contacts, thereby strengthening friendship, brotherhood, trust and mutual understanding among representatives of different cultures, religions and civilizations. We cooperate with many developing countries in sharing experiences on issues involving youth. Our efforts are focused on creating educational opportunities. Russian educational institutions host approximately 1 million students from different countries every year. The renowned Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia remains the leading institution in that regard. We believe that the idea of unity with respect for cultural and civilizational diversity is achievable at the global level. To that end, we need only reject stereotypes about exclusivity and superiority. As Nikolai Yakovlevich Danilevsky, a Russian philosopher and one of the founders of the civilizational approach to history, wrote, “Progress consists not in going exclusively in one direction — in that case it would soon cease — but in covering the entire field, which is the history of humankind’s activities in every area. Therefore, no civilization can boast that it represents the apex of development, compared to its predecessors or contemporaries, in all aspects of development.” Our national experience confirms that view.

I thank the President of the General Assembly for convening this meeting, which coincides with the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. This important occasion calls upon us to renew our commitment to solidifying the values of human fraternity and tolerance, review our achievements and identify the challenges and gaps that will require us to intensify efforts to address them. This is an important matter when we consider the current global context. We are seeing the highest number of armed conflicts since the Second World War, while hate speech and violence continue to invade societies and minds, threatening to undermine the achievements we have made over the past decades. To address those challenges, the international community needs to strengthen its proactive and inclusive approach, which is the key to achieving sustainable peace. That requires us to continue guiding our peoples towards tolerance, raising awareness of the importance of tolerance and the danger of extremism, as well as providing the necessary tools and expertise to ensure strong ties between societies, which must view their diversity as an asset for development and not a source of conflict. From that perspective, the United Arab Emirates has continued to use all forums to further strengthen the values of peace, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, including during our 2022-2023 term on the Security Council. During that period, the Council unanimously adopted its historic resolution 2686 (2023), on tolerance and peace and security, which was submitted by my country, and which recognized for the first time that racism, hate speech and extremism contribute to driving the outbreak, escalation and recurrence of conflict. The resolution includes several important steps to contribute to enhancing peace, security and a culture of peaceful coexistence at the international level. It encourages all relevant stakeholders, including religious and community leaders, media entities and social media platforms, to speak out against hate speech and extremism. Through the resolution, the United Nations will also monitor and report on hate speech and extremism, which will further deepen our understanding of all aspects of those phenomena and assist us in developing our methods for dealing with them. The full implementation of resolution 2686 (2023) is therefore essential for the maintenance of international peace and security and is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders. We cannot talk about the culture of peace without addressing the role of young people in preventing and resolving conflicts. In addition to being the most targeted group by extremist and terrorist groups, young people also have the potential to develop innovative solutions to the challenges facing our societies today. That requires us to invest in young people, strengthen partnerships with them and to give them leadership roles in efforts to establish and sustain peace. It is also important to continue to empower women and girls in order to enable them to contribute to the development and implementation of policies aimed at building peaceful and prosperous societies, as they play a pivotal role in promoting communication and dialogue between different individuals and cultures. The United Arab Emirates also believes in the importance of using artificial intelligence to strengthen peace through investing in that field and developing artificial intelligence mechanisms to detect misinformation and combat hate speech and violence. In conclusion, I stress that the United Arab Emirates is committed to continuing its efforts to spread the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence around the world, including by cooperating with the international community to implement the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace.

Mauritania welcomes the convening of this important meeting to discuss the issue of a culture of peace, which is a topic of great importance, not only because our Organization was created to maintain international peace and security as one of its core purposes, in accordance with Article 1 of the Charter of the United Nations, but also because development and prosperity can be envisioned in a society only if it enjoys a peace as a deeply rooted culture and practice. We also take the opportunity today to welcome the report of the Secretary-General (A/78/591), on the promotion of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for peace, and to thank the countries that co-sponsored the draft resolution before us today (draft resolution A/78/L.57) on the follow-up to the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. My country firmly believes in the limitless potential of multilateral action in building and maintaining peace, especially through our Organization, the United Nations. In addition to that firm belief, my country pursues a diplomatic policy grounded on the principles of mediation and good offices with a view to ensuring peace as a practice and culture in the Sahel region and throughout Africa in general. In that context, Mauritania initiated the creation of the Sahel Prize for the Promotion of the Culture of Peace during the seventh summit of the Group of Five for the Sahel, held in 2021 in the Chadian capital of N’Djamena. In addition, my country hosted four sessions of the High-Level Retreat on the Promotion of Peace, Security and Stability in Africa, organized by the African Union. We have also hosted the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies, which is presided by Sheikh Abdallah bin Bayyah. Our vision has always been grounded in using dialogue and mutual respect as means for diffusing tension and consolidating peace in areas of conflict. Those are traditions of our diplomacy. The spread a culture of peace in societies is dependent on individuals’ sense of well-being and dignity, as there can be no peace or stability in the face of widespread poverty and inequality. Those reasons, among many others, prompted my Government to establish a body called the General Delegation for National Solidarity and Fight against Exclusion, which works to combat poverty and provide basic services such as health, education and employment to poor and historically disadvantaged communities. Those efforts are strengthening national cohesion, enshrining a culture of peace and harmony in our societies and eradicating hate speech and extremism. At a time when our countries are enjoying peace and taking the time discuss a culture of peace, the Palestinian people are suffering the catastrophic and inhumane effects of decades of an absence of peace and decades of displacement, land-grabbing and massacres. Israel is waging yet another genocidal war against those impoverished people, who are defenceless except for their resilience and courage, and the free world is unable to protect children in hospitals, let alone guarantee peace to the residents of the open-air prison called Gaza. The values enshrined in the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, adopted in 1999, are universal values, just like the values in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We cannot accept a situation whereby the majority of the world’s population enjoy those rights and the Palestinian people are denied them. There is no need to repeat Mauritania’s position when it comes its unwavering support for a just settlement to the Palestinian question. I recall the words of peace expressed by His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, at the Cairo peace summit held on 31 October 2023. He stressed that there can be no peace or security unless we usher in a two-State solution, with the Israeli and Palestinian States living side by side in accordance with international legitimacy. It is a call for complete and comprehensive peace; a call to abandon double standards for the sake of a fair and equitable international community in which all people can enjoy peace and efforts are focused on addressing the common challenges facing humankind.

Cambodia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of Brunei Darussalam on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. I will now speak in my national capacity. At the outset, I would like to express my appreciation to the President of the General Assembly for convening today’s debate under the agenda item entitled “Culture of Peace” in the context of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. We highly appreciate the report of the Secretary-General (A/78/591) and the ongoing efforts by the United Nations to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for peace. Today’s world is at a turning point, facing numerous challenges that require collective efforts to foster peace, understanding and tolerance among diverse cultures, religions and ethnicities. The report underscores the crucial role of interreligious and intercultural dialogue in building bridges of cooperation and dismantling barriers that fuel hatred and discrimination. The report also resonates strongly with the values to which Cambodia adheres. Cambodia, with its rich history of resilience and cultural diversity, as well as its unwavering commitment to harmony, acknowledges the hurdles on our path to progress and development. We recognize the imperative of global cooperation to tackle the complex issues that affect us all. In that spirit, Cambodia wishes to share the following perspectives. First, we recognize the need to promote inclusion, unity and cooperation, as emphasized in the report. It is only through collaborative efforts that we can overcome the obstacles that threaten the well-being of our people and the global community. Our nation has a long tradition of religious and cultural diversity, with Buddhism as the predominant faith and various ethnic communities contributing to the vibrant tapestry of our society. Secondly, education has been a cornerstone of Cambodia’s efforts to promote interreligious and intercultural understanding. We firmly believe in the power of knowledge to dismantle stereotypes, build bridges of tolerance and foster a culture of peace. Our commitment to education aligns with the report’s emphasis on the importance of educational programmes in disseminating the values of religious tolerance and interreligious dialogue. Thirdly, Cambodia welcomes the active engagement of organizations such as UNESCO, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and other entities dedicated to promoting intercultural dialogue. We believe that those partnerships will contribute significantly to building a world where diversity is embraced and cooperation thrives. Fourthly, as a peace-loving nation, Cambodia prioritizes a culture of peace and fully supports the Secretary General’s New Agenda for Peace. Currently, the message of “Thank you for peace” resonates across Cambodia, reflecting our commitment to investing in conflict prevention and the preservation of peace in all situations. Peace can be easily lost, but building and maintaining it is a daunting endeavour. Therefore, we must unite for the sake of peace, rather than inciting the chaos that destroys it. As we anticipate the upcoming Summit of the Future, Cambodia stands with other countries in urging Member States to consider initiatives that identify practical actions for promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue. We believe that by sharing ideas and best practices we can create a more inclusive, understanding and tolerant global community. In conclusion, Cambodia remains steadfast in its commitment to the principles of peace, cooperation and mutual understanding. We stand ready to collaborate with the international community to ensure that the values of peace, tolerance and understanding are upheld for the prosperity of all nations.

Nicaragua welcomes the convening of this meeting on a culture of peace. We align ourselves with the statement delivered by the representative of Venezuela on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations. We also appreciate and thank the delegation of Bangladesh for its leadership in introducing the draft resolution entitled “Follow-up to the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace” (A/78/L.57). Nicaragua is delighted to co-sponsor the draft resolution. The international community as a whole must continue to contribute to the progressive disappearance of unipolar hegemonism and to strengthening multipolarity in a just and equitable world, with peace and security, stability, development and progress for humankind and for all peoples of the world. A culture of peace demands respect for the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and for international law, including sovereignty, non-interference in the internal affairs of States, non-discrimination and sovereign equality, self-determination and independence. It is also based on universal values, such as development, equity, social justice, democracy and freedom, always prioritizing negotiation, harmony and mutually beneficial cooperation while demanding an end to conflicts, aggressions and illegal unilateral coercive measures imposed on our peoples. Nicaragua calls for greater global engagement, true multilateralism and the promotion of cooperation and joint efforts to address all current challenges, including those rooted in social, economic and environmental inequalities within and among countries. A culture of peace is more necessary now than ever in our world. In the past seven months we have witnessed a growing ideological and cultural perversion and imperialist, unipolar, exclusionary and racist thinking accompanied by the irrational deployment of military force in attempts to impose neocolonial will. Nicaragua reiterates its strong condemnation of the cruelty, hatred and genocide of the Government of Israel against the heroic Palestinian people in Gaza, the West Bank and the entire occupied Palestinian territory. We reaffirm our total solidarity with the Palestinian people and demand immediate respect for a ceasefire, as well as protection for the people in Palestine, without double standards and on equal terms as human beings, valuing all lives equally. It is urgent that the United States put an end to its policy of exclusion and obstruction in the Security Council and to accept the application of the State of Palestine for full membership in the United Nations. Likewise, given the current circumstances, it is a priority to hold an international peace conference to end the occupation of all Palestinian and Arab territories occupied by Israel. The realization of those two initiatives is a vital step towards peace in the Middle East. Nicaragua takes this opportunity to express that a culture of peace means respecting international law, recalling that the rulings of the International Court of Justice  — the highest judicial organ of the United Nations — regarding the case Military and Paramilitary Activities in and against Nicaragua (Nicaragua v. United States of America) are definitive and must be complied with. Therefore, the United States has a legal obligation to comply with the reparations issued by the International Court of Justice. On the initiative of our Government of Reconciliation and National Unity, the National Assembly of Nicaragua unanimously adopted the law that declares April Peace Month. Peace is a historical legacy that we must celebrate with respect, harmony and fraternity for prosperity. This law is in response to the Nicaraguan people’s call for peace and in keeping with the legacy that our heroes and martyrs have left us in the history of struggle for the sovereignty, self- determination and independence of our blessed and always free Nicaragua. Nicaragua, in its culture of peace with the international community, continues to defend multilateralism, building relations based on respect, equality, solidarity and mutual cooperation, respecting and complying with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including respect for international law and non-interference in internal affairs. We will continue to firmly defend peace. We will continue to implement our caring, Christian and socialist development model for the well-being of our families and communities. For that reason, we demand the elimination of all so-called sanctions and unilateral coercive measures and all those aggressions. We claim the right of all peoples to decide their future without interference of any kind. In Nicaragua we experience peace as a path — a path of light — and we protect it as our basic wealth. We protect and defend it in a blessed homeland, always sovereign and dignified.

I would like to thank the President for convening this important debate on a culture of peace. This year’s debate is very important, as we celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption by the General Assembly of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. I also thank the delegation of Bangladesh for presenting draft resolution A/78/L.57 today. As the world is grappling with multiple conflicts and crises, in addition to social and economic changes, rapid digitalization and artificial intelligence, it is necessary to continue efforts to harness dialogue, understanding and mutual respect among faiths and religions so as to promote peace and stability, as underscored in the Secretary General’s report (A/78/591). The Kingdom of Bahrain is committed to promoting a culture of peace, tolerance and cultural dialogue; and to strengthening humanitarian solidarity for the sake of safe, peaceful and sustainable human societies. It is proud that the world has celebrated, on 5 April every year, the International Day of Conscience, since the adoption by the General Assembly of resolution 73/329. It acknowledges the importance of peaceful coexistence among nations, peoples and cultures and the importance of rejecting hatred and putting conscience and dialogue first in the settlement and prevention of conflicts. Bahrain has always been at forefront of initiatives and contributions to promote the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence at the regional and international levels, including by launching the Kingdom of Bahrain declaration on freedom of religion and belief; the establishment of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence and the King Hamad Chair for Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence at Sapienza University in Italy, in addition to the efforts of the Royal Humanitarian Foundation. Furthermore, we launched a call for the adoption of an international convention to criminalize religious and racial hate speech. We also organized several global conferences to promote intercultural dialogue and understanding, the most recent was the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue: East and West for Human Coexistence, with the participation of His Holiness the Pope and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. In addition, we launched the King Hamad Award for Peaceful Coexistence and other international awards to empower women and youth and serve humankind. We underscore the importance of the principles of freedom, justice and democracy, as well as respect for human rights, supporting sustainable development and strengthening international partnerships to achieve just and sustainable peace in the Middle East and the world, and ensuring the end of all wars and conflicts through dialogue and negotiation. We reaffirm our firm position in calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for the expansion of unhindered delivery of medical relief and humanitarian assistance to civilians. It is important to promote the protection of civilians across the entire Gaza Strip and reject their forced displacement, as part of our commitment to the principles of international law and international humanitarian law. The international community should assume its responsibility and put an end to the current catastrophic humanitarian situation. It should revive the peace process by allowing the brotherly Palestinian people to enjoy their legitimate right to establish an independent State, with East Jerusalem as a capital, in line with the two-State solution, the Arab Peace Initiative and resolutions of international legitimacy. In conclusion, we underscore the importance of our cultural and humanitarian values and diplomatic principles in anchoring a culture of peace, solidarity and harmony to promote international cooperation, based on goodwill, mutual respect, trust, non-interference in States’ internal affairs, the rejection of violence and extremism, the peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for human rights to promote sustainable development, peace and security.

The culture of peace is not an abstract idea or a utopia, but a concrete vision towards which we must work with determination and commitment. Investing in a culture of peace is investing in the future. It is investing in equity. It is investing in solidarity and mutual respect. Investing in peace is much more than preserving succeeding generations from the scourge of war. It is recognizing and respecting diversity, plurality and the richness of what is different. It is recognizing the humanity in each individual. However, to prevent conflict and eradicate the politics of hatred and resentment, we must invest. We must adjust our priorities. We are witnessing a dramatic increase in conflagration and violence globally. With the current global investment in military matters, we would be able to fund more than 50 times what the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs requests for the global humanitarian landscape in 2024. Instead of securing funding to support more than 181 million people in need of assistance, we broke records in military spending and weaponry. Our collective failure is inescapable and heartbreaking: one in five children lives in or is fleeing armed conflict. It is imperative to be consistent. We cannot ask for a different world if we do not change our approach and way of acting. Changing patterns of hatred, volatility and crisis requires investing in change. It entails promoting opportunities to advance in the eradication of poverty, inequality and social exclusion. It entails eliminating toxic masculinities and promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. It entails not resorting to weapons and conflict as a solution to the problems that afflict our societies. It entails advancing in terms of social justice and sustainable development. That means wanting to change and believing that it is possible to change. Sustainable peace is not built by only a few, we must all build it. Ensuring an education that establishes values, such as tolerance, empathy and dialogue, is a priority. It means fostering an education that promotes inclusion and that makes us committed to peace and justice, the promotion of human rights and the dignity of all people. The culture of peace is part of the DNA of the Organization and the principles to which we are committed to protecting and upholding. Mexico firmly believes in the transformative power of trust, cooperation and good faith and will always advocate for building more just, peaceful and inclusive societies.

We have heard the last speaker in the debate for this meeting. We shall hear the remaining speakers this afternoon at 3 p.m. in this Hall.