Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly
—-
Forum for Building Bridges between East and West
(As delivered)
Mr. Secretary-General,
Madam Deputy Secretary-General,
Mr. High Representative,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
أوّدُ أن أتقدّم بِخالصِ الشّكر والتّقدير لِرابِطَةْ العالَمُ الإسلامي، وتَحالُفِ الأُمَمِ المُتّحِدَةِ للحَضارات، على جَمْعِنا هُنا اليَوم.
واسمَحوا لي أَن أَستَهِلَّ حَديثي بالثَّناءِ على رابِطَة العالَمُ الإسلامي لِعَمَلِها القَيَّمِ والمَشْهود في المَجالِ الإنساني نَحوَ تَقديمِ المُساعَدَةِ والعَوْن لِلأشخاصِ المُتَضَرِرين مِن الكَوارِثَ الطّبيعية.
[Arabic translation: My thanks to the Muslim World League and the UN Alliance of Civilizations for gathering us today.
Let me begin by commending the Muslim World League for its humanitarian work helping people affected by ecological disasters.]
Let me also note its launch of the Faith for Our Planet coalition, uniting grassroots religious communities to fight climate change.
In a time of protracted conflicts and interlocking crises, faith-based organizations play a critical role in shepherding their followers.
They have an enormous potential – and equally huge responsibilities.
Faith brings us together, within our own communities, and across them.
However, teachings merged with impatience and exclusivity can also lead many people astray, turning them to intolerance and extremism.
At any rate, religious organizations have a major capacity to affect human behavior – at a time when the patterns of our social interaction, consumption and pollution need to fundamentally change.
Over two billion people live in conflict zones – one quarter of humanity.
With lives disrupted, jobs unavailable and schools not functioning, anger is boiling up.
Anger which can easily be turned against people who are not and should not be the enemy.
On the other hand, we witness increasing tendencies across the world to move hateful discussions online.
This is particularly prevalent on social media platforms, and this extremism can lead to deadly real-life consequences.
Unfortunately, women and girls are often specifically targeted in the online space.
So, what can we, as the international community, do to address the root causes of intolerance?
What can we do to prevent actions that dehumanize “the other”: somebody who follows a different faith or no faith?
How can we better empower young people to speak up and stand firm against hatred and bigotry?
Let me share with you some of the related actions taken by the General Assembly.
The Member States are currently discussing the establishment of a Global Digital Compact, which will offer an opportunity to curb online hate.
In recent months, the Assembly has come together on numerous occasions to reaffirm its commitment to tolerance.
Member States debated how to eliminate racial discrimination and Islamophobia.
We commemorated the 30th anniversary of the declaration on rights of minorities to encourage governments to better protect these communities.
And the General Assembly discussed the linkages between hate speech and genocide.
There is a clear convergence among Member States that intolerance can lead to violence and extremism. And that we need to do more to promote intercultural and interreligious dialogue.
Let’s be bold and ambitious in our visions of a more peaceful future to share.
Let’s hope that pursuing interests will increasingly involve adherence to moral norms as well. Something that not always accompanies diplomatic actions.
And let’s never forget the words of the American theologian Ralph Sockman:
“The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority.”
I thank you.
