High-level Opening Session and General Discussion during the UN Secretary-General's conference on interfaith and interreligious dialogue and tolerance for countering hate speech pursuant to resolution 77/318.
Hate speech, a recognized risk factor and indicator of atrocity crimes, may lead to hate crimes, discrimination and violence, and in the most serious cases, even to genocide and other atrocity crimes, leaving devastating impacts on targeted individuals and groups and on society as a whole. This is why mobilizing against hatred of all kinds is a key priority for the United Nations, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international human rights. In this context, pursuant to United Nations General Assembly resolutions A/RES/77/318 and A/RES/79/316, as well as General Assembly decision 80/542, the United Nations is convening a Global Conference on Promoting Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue and Tolerance in Countering Hate Speech at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Thursday, 17 September. Organized by the Kingdom of Morocco, the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect (UNOSAPG) and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the conference will bring together Member States, United Nations entities, international organizations, political figures, religious leaders, faith-based organizations, media, civil society representatives and other relevant stakeholders. High-level Opening Session (Moderator: USG Beyani) H.E. Mr. António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General H.E. Mr. Khalilur Rahman, President of the United Nations General Assembly H.E. Mr. Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates H.E. Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations H.E. Mr. Chaloka Beyani, Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide General discussion: Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue and Tolerance as a Tool to Counter Hate Speech: Awareness, Action and Partnership (Moderator: USG Miguel Moratinos) Speakers from UN entities, Member States, political figures, religious leaders, faith-based organizations, media, civil society and other relevant stakeholders
