• English
  • Հայերեն
Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations
  • The Mission
    • Permanent Representative
    • Staff
    • Photo Gallery
    • Mission Building Virtual Tour
    • Contacts
  • News
    • Statements
    • Press releases
    • Circulated Documents
  • Armenia
    • Overview
    • Governance
    • Culture
    • History
    • Study in Armenia
    • Invest in Armenia
    • Doing business in Armenia
  • Armenia - UN
    • Historical Overview in Pictures
    • Armenia’s priorities and involvement at the United Nations
    • Membership in the UN Bodies
  • Useful links

Remarks by H.E. Mher Margaryan, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the UN, at the 8th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations

20 November, 2018
Remarks by H.E. Mher Margaryan, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the UN, at the 8th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
Download
Full album

Mr. Chairman,
Distinguished High Representative,
Excellences,

Armenia welcomes the holding of the 8th Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations, as an important opportunity to reiterate commitment to the goals of tolerance, diversity and reconciliation as prerequisites for peace.

The objective of promoting inter-religious and intercultural dialogue is as relevant and important as ever. The tendencies of radicalism, exclusion, and continued rise of hate speech have been increasingly infusing the international agenda, distorting the global discourse and fostering political and social divides.

While reflecting on the role and function of the Alliance in promoting dialogue and reconciliation, we need to carefully address the serious challenges and conditions generating violence in some parts of the world. The irresponsibility of flaring hate speech, racial and ethnic profiling, glorification of hate crimes, especially led and encouraged by political leaders cultivate fertile ground for discrimination and human rights violations. This requires coordinated efforts and response with prevention at the heart of it.

As ever, Armenia remains strongly committed to advancing prevention, including the prevention of identity based discrimination, mass atrocities and the crime of genocide as an important function within the United Nations. We are resolute to contribute to efforts focused at the early action to prevent grave violations.

The International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime on the 9th of December, which was introduced by Armenia and adopted by the General Assembly resolution in 2015 is a powerful manifestation of responsible multilateralism with a consensual and substantive outcome. It provides an important platform for a collective reflection on the millions of human faiths, hopes and aspirations that have been shattered by violence, intolerance and hatred.

2018 marks the 70th anniversary of two landmark documents - the Genocide Convention and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is yet another milestone to recommit ourselves to cooperation for dialogue, peace and reconciliation and to step up collective efforts for upholding human rights and human dignity.

On 9 December this year Armenia will host the third Global Forum against the Crime of Genocide that will bring together prominent scholars and practitioners to focus on the role of education and media in eliminating hatred, intolerance and xenophobia.

Mr. Chairman,

Protection of human rights has been at the center of the fundamental democratic transformation in Armenia, as manifested by the peaceful Velvet Revolution in April-May this year. In what has been identified by the UN Secretary-General as a fantastic example of peaceful transfer of power, the youth and women in Armenia stood at the forefront of the non-violent, democratic process, in a full exercise of their human rights and fundamental freedoms, as recently acknowledged also in the observations by the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

The government of Armenia is placing high priority on promoting policies for inclusion, social cohesion and solidarity. Armenia continues to implement facilitated integration and settlement programs for thousands of displaced persons that have sought protection in our country over the past few years as a result of the conflicts in the Middle East.

Armenia is fully committed to the objective of strengthening cooperation and intercultural dialogue for peace. Last month, we hosted the 17th Summit of the Heads of State and Governments of La Francophonie, held under the theme “Living Together”. The vast geographical space of La Francophonie, which includes countries from all continents, makes it an important forum for exchange and cooperation beyond the linguistic extent, towards promotion and practical implementation of the culture of peace through tolerance, solidarity and respect for diversity - values that are at the core of the Alliance as well.

As a member of the Group of Friends of the Alliance, Armenia is determined to work towards advancing the positive message of diversity and harmony of civilizations. Collectively, we need to do more to counter narratives of hatred and mistrust and turn words into actions. Armenia sincerely hopes that the UNAOC and its Group of Friends will be able to better reflect on the disturbing challenges of our times and maintain an inclusive and effective approach to the Alliance’s important work.

Mr. Chairman.

We congratulate Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos on his appointment as the High Representative and we wish him much success in driving the important agenda of the Alliance forward.

I thank you.

share:
MFA RA
official website
Dual citizenship
Electronic visa
Visa applications

119 East 36th Street, New York, NY 10016
(212) 686-9079
(212) 686-3934

Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations

© 2011-2025, Հեղինակային իրավունքները պաշտպանված են: