NEW YORK: The United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution presented by Pakistan and Philippines on the “Promotion of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for peace”.
Introducing the resolution, Ambassador Munir Akram, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations said, “To secure universal peace among and within nations, it is essential to promote a “culture of peace” – a culture which respects, accepts and accommodates – in policy and practice – the diverse ethnical, religious and cultures which compose the mosaic of the modern States and our globalized international community.”
Initiated in 2004, the Pakistan-Philippines resolution has sought to promote a steadfast commitment by member states to fostering interreligious and intercultural dialogue in promoting understanding and cultivating a culture of peace.
This year, Pakistan, as the lead facilitator, managed to restore traditional consensus support, achieved through painstaking, open and inclusive consultations.
Importantly, due to Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts, this year’s text of the resolution recalls the General Assembly resolution 76/254 initiated by Pakistan on behalf of the OIC in 2022 to observe 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. The resolution also welcomes the observance of this Day, which was co-hosted by the President General Assembly and the Foreign Minister of Pakistan in his capacity as the Chair of the OIC-CFM earlier this year in the General Assembly.
The consensus adoption of the resolution is significant, particularly due to the alarming rise in religious intolerance and racism, particularly the upsurge of Islamophobia across the globe.
The resolution stresses that the exercise of the right to freedom of expression carries with its special duties and responsibilities and must therefore be subjected to legitimate restrictions. It acknowledges the significance and respect for “religious symbols”. It reaffirms that violence is never a justifiable or acceptable response to acts of intolerance and that “such violence should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group”.
The unanimous adoption of the resolution by the General Assembly sends a message of international solidarity and cooperation.
Pakistan, on its part, will continue to lead efforts to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for peace and the values of peaceful co-existence and inter-faith and cultural harmony.
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