International Day for Countering Hate Speech 2026 "The power of partnerships in countering speech"

Good morning, everyone. My name is Chaloka Beyani. I'm the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide for the Secretary-General. It is my honor and privilege to be able to open this event and to welcome the distinguished high-level speakers to the 5th International Day for Countering Hate speech under the theme The Power of Partnerships in Countering Hate Speech. So without much ado, may I invite the President of the General Assembly, Her Excellency Annalena Baerbock, to issue her statement.

Excellencies, a racist slur shouted shout at a child on the way to school, a misogynistic abuse directed at a journalist simply because she's a woman, the xenophobic threats sent to a public official telling her she does not belong in public life. Hate speech is not abstract. It is intimidation designed to silence people. Those targeted are often minority groups and women. The numbers are alarming. YouTube, Facebook, and X are constantly removing millions of content linked to abuse, harassment, and hateful content. Yet millions of videos, posts, and tweets with misogynistic and racist content remain. Behind each figure is a person made unsafe, unwelcome, and less able to speak. This intimidation is also gendered. Every senior woman in public life I have met, whether journalist, athlete, activist, or politician, has faced escalating digital harassment, sexualized abuse, and even threats of physical violence. And I know this from my own experience as a woman in politics. It goes as far as sexualized deepfakes. And the intent is clear. It is structural. To silence women in leadership, to threaten younger generations of girls so they do not dare to speak up, to stand up, to lead. But open societies depend on people being able to participate. Open societies depend on free speech. The good news is that we are not helpless. Governments have shown how to protect open societies and counter hate speech, including in the digital space. For example, India made clear to the social media platform X that its AI tool Grok could not be used to generate and circulate obscene and sexually explicit images of women. Authorities called for the removal of such content, demanded stronger safeguards, and made clear that failure to comply would carry legal consequences. So there is no excuse for other countries not to follow. No excuse for silence or inaction. And this is not only about women. History has taught us where unchecked hate speech can lead. From the killing fields of Cambodia to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, to Srebrenica in Bosnia. Countering hate speech and upholding free speech are therefore not contradictory goals. They are mutually reinforcing. And the plea from our children and from future generations is clear. As one young person noted during the commemorative meeting on the Rwandan genocide, I quote, "Today the poison travels faster than before, hiding in screens, masked in pixels and likes. Hate speech has found new corridors to roam, whispering old lies to a new generation. But we, the youth, are the filter and the shield. Refuse to let our platforms become battlefields. So we, the adults, governments, have to follow this call.— now. An effective response must be practical, principled, and multi-pronged. It requires governments to protect human rights and uphold the rule of law; technology companies to ensure their platforms do not reward abuse, intimidation, and incitement; educators to build digital literacy and resilience; civil society and communities to support victims, challenge prejudice, and strengthen trust. And it requires us here at the United Nations to fully embrace the work of the Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence and to work on a global governance structure on AI with a strong focus on countering hate speech and attacks on our open societies and our human dignity. Because, as we all know, in an interconnected world, we are only better together. I thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam President, for your statement. I now have the pleasure to deliver the statement of the Secretary-General on his behalf, His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres. Hate speech is the first step down the path of dehumanization, a path that leads all too frequently to violence, conflict, and atrocious crimes. It is a tool of division targeting specific groups including women, migrants, refugees, LGBTQ people, persons with disabilities, and many other minorities, often for political gain. In our digital age, hate speech spreads faster than ever, amplified by unregulated platforms and intensified by artificial intelligence. Two main algorithms reward outrage and division, incentivizing lies for likes and promoting violence for views. Anonymity online also makes it harder to hold perpetrators to account. But practical solutions can break this dangerous cycle. —from education to recognize and reject hate speech, to support for those targeted by abuse, to stronger interventions from governments and technology companies. States have clear obligations under international law to combat incitement to hatred and to promote inclusion, respect for diversity, and solidarity. At the same time, freedom of expression must never be an excuse for harmful messages. The United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech points the way, while the Global Principles for Information Integrity provide a roadmap to a safer, more ethical digital ecosystem. On this 5th International Day for Countering Hate Speech, let us reject prejudice in all its forms and work together to build a world based on human rights, dignity, and respect. I thank the Secretary-General for his speech. May now invite His Excellency, the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco, Excellency Omar Hilali, for his opening remarks.

Thank you very much, Excellencies. Mr. Secretary-General, distinguished panelists, dear ambassadors, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, it is a great honor and privilege for me to welcome you to this high-level event commemorating the Fifth International Day for Countering Hate Speech that was proclaimed by the First in 2021 subsequent to the adoption of the landmark Resolution 75. Resolution 309, which was presented to the General Assembly by the Kingdom of Morocco and was highly supported by the wider UN membership from all regional groups. At the outset, I wish to express the Kingdom of Morocco's profound appreciation to the President of the General Assembly, Her Excellency Mrs. Anna-Lena Baerbock, and to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Sir António Guterres. For their steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing the values of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, inclusion. Their engagement has been instrumental in keeping the fight against hate speech at the forefront of the international agenda. I also wish to extend my sincere gratitude to the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention under the leadership of USG, my dear brother Shahrukh Bayani, to the UN Alliance of Civilization and the leadership of my also good friend USG Miguel Moratinos, and the Department of Global Communication under the leadership of very appreciated sister and colleague Mrs. Melissa Fleming, for their continued partnership and dedication to this critical cause. Our collaboration reflects shared conviction that preventing hatred and incitement is indispensable to preserving peace, protecting human rights, and strengthening social cohesion. Similarly, this morning we will hear from very dedicated panelists to whom I present Morocco's appreciation and gratitude for accepting our invitation. And for joining us to highlight the importance of building partnerships to reclaim inclusive and safe space and societies free of hatred. We look forward to their thoughtful contributions. The commemoration of the 5th International Day reflects growing recognition that hate speech is a matter of offensive rhetoric and harmful expression. It is often precursor to discrimination, exclusion, hostility, and violence. Throughout history, hate speech has served as catalyst for some of humanity's darkest chapters. It has fueled conflicts, justified persecutions, deepened social division, and undermined the foundation of peaceful coexistence. Excellencies, under the far-sighted leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, Morocco's unwavering attachment to the values of mutual coexistence and the rejection of hate speech is firm and constant. As stated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in his royal speech addressed to the 15th Organization of the Islamic Cooperation Summit Conference on May 2024, and they quote, "I very much hope that the resolution on preventing anti-religious and anti-cultural dialogues and tolerance in countering hate speech, which was submitted by the Kingdom of Morocco and adopted unanimously on 25 July 2023 by the United Nations General Assembly, will help achieve qualitative leap in the efforts aimed at curbing extremism and tackling hate speech. Once again, I am calling for vigilance, resolve, and coordinated actions to stand up to these abusive violations with the same commitment that is ours towards the principles of tolerance, interfaith, intercultural dialogue, and respect for the other. End of quotation. This royal citation reminds us that today's event represents collective acknowledgement that combating hate speech requires sustained international attention, coordinated action, and shared commitments to the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. The urgency of countering hate speech agenda has never been greater, so is the power of partnerships to conquer it. So allow me to highlight 3 areas where partnership must translate into actions. First, technology and accountability. Artificial intelligence and digital platforms are not neutral terrain. They can accelerate hate speech, at unprecedented speed, but they can equally be harnessed to detect it, to interrupt its spread, and to amplify counter-narrative of coexistence. Therefore, we need partnerships between governments, the private sector, and researchers that treat digital responsibility as principle. Indeed, governments Technology companies, researchers, international organizations, and civil society must work together to develop responsible and effective solutions. Such cooperation is essential to improve content moderation, strengthen transparency and accountability, enhance digital literacy, support independent research, and promote positive online narratives. Second, education and interfaith dialogue. Morocco knows through its own lived experience as a land of confluence between civilizations, faiths, and cultures that coexistence is not an abstraction. It is taught, practiced, and model it across the Moroccan society, in schools, in religious institutions, and in the everyday choices of communities to know one another rather than to fear one another. This is the spirit behind Rabat's plan of action and the first plan of action, which are frameworks that Morocco has championed and that promote the role of education. So I can't stress enough how educational institutions can promote critical thinking and digital literacy, as well as to foster dialogue and mutual understanding. Third, social cohesion and advocacy. The UN Strategy on Hate Speech rightly insists on the importance of standing visibly with individuals and societies targeted by hate speech. Partnerships must therefore include not only institutions, but collective willingness to speak when others are attacked for who they are, what they believe, or what they come from. In this regard, civil society organizations must amplify the voices to promote grassroots engagement, and religious leaders should continue to advocate for compassion and mutual respect. Excellencies, hate speech does not emerge in vacuum. It thrives where it is ignorance replaces understanding, and where prejudice replaces dialogue. It feeds on social inequalities, political grievances, and unresolved tensions. For this reason, combating hate speech requires more than responding to harmful content after it appears. It requires addressing the underlying conditions that allow hatred to make root and spread. So I would like to conclude with emphasizing 5 messages. First, international response to hate speech must be preventive, comprehensive, and multidimensional. Two, Governments must provide leadership and establish enabling legal and policy frameworks that foster inclusion and equal opportunities. 3, international organizations must facilitate cooperation and support capacity building efforts. 4, educational institutions must equip future generations with the knowledge and skills necessary to resist hate, threat, and misinformation, and to promote critical thinking and respect for diversity. And finally, 5, technology companies must assume their responsibilities in ensuring that digital platforms are not exploited to spread harmful content. I thank you for your participation and look forward to fruitful discussion.

I would like to thank Excellency Ambassador Hilawe for his opening remarks. May I now invite His Excellency Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos High Representative of the Alliance of Civilizations, to make his remarks.

Thank you very much, my dear friend. Your Excellency, Mrs. Halena Baerbock, President of the UN General Assembly. Your Excellency, Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations. Your Excellency, Mr. Shahrokh Abediani, Under-Secretary-General Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide, my dear friend, Your Excellency Mrs. Melissa Fleming, Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, and my dear friend, Excellency Mr. Omar Hilali, Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations. Excellencies, my dear friends, distinguished delegates, it's an honor to join you today as we mark the 5th International Day for countering hate speech. I am especially pleased to join my distinguished colleagues and would like to express my appreciation to the Kingdom of Morocco for its continued leadership on this important issue, and to all Member States, United Nations entities, civil society organizations, faith leaders, and young people who contribute to the global effort to confront hatred and promote respect for human dignity. My dear friends, 5 years ago, the international community established this observance out of a growing recognition that words matter. That words can inform and inspire. And that they can also divide and dehumanize. Today, 5 years later, that message remains as relevant as ever. Too often, hate speech is treated as an isolated problem, merely a matter of offensive language or harmful online content. But in reality, it is usually a symptom of deeper political, social, and economic dynamics. And so we must ask ourselves a deeper question: Why, despite our collective effort, does hatred continue to find fertile ground? Why is it being normalized from leadership to ordinary citizens? Hatred re-emerges in a vacuum. It often feeds on fear.— it thrives from misinformation. It blossoms amid growing anxieties, widening inequality, and declining trust in institutions. Periods of violent uncertainty can produce temptation to scapegoat a group to be blamed for those difficulties. Throughout history, religious communities, ethnic minorities, migrants, and other vulnerable groups have repeatedly become targets of such narrative. The mechanism is all too familiar to those who study history. Differences are exaggerated, in many cases twisted by hate mongers. Complex problems are reduced to simplistic explanation. Individuals and their identities are reduced to a stereotype. Hence, the roc-a-roterie language has become mainstream. Excellencies, we must never accept this. Our response must be principled and universal, and the challenge has become more complex in digital era. Today, public conversation is increasingly shaped by technological system that influence what we see, what we read, and even how we perceive one another. For two decades, the UN Alliance of Civilizations has sought to address not only the manifestations of intolerance and racism based on religion or belief or ethnicity, but also the conditions and root causes that allow intolerance to take root. Through our tailored programs and mentoring workshops, we have worked with governments, faith leaders, educators, Journalists, civil organizations, and young women and men across the globe strengthen resilience and get narrative of exclusion and hatred. Last year, I had the privilege of reporting to you the launch of United Nations Action Plan to Enhance Monitoring and Response to Antisemitism. We are now working closely with the Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide to develop an e-learning module that will help strengthen awareness and institutional capacity across the UN system. Education remains one of the most effective tools for recognizing prejudice, understanding its consequences, and ensuring that antisemitism is addressed consistently and effectively wherever it appears. As you are aware, UNOAC, United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, developed a plan in collaboration with and input from relevant UN entities, including UN DCC, OSAPG, OHCHR, EOSG. It builds on existing UN efforts to combat antisemitism. Under the guidance of United Nations Secretary-General, the High Representative for UNHCR launched the plan at the headquarters in January 2025. And this action plan is not another declaration. It's a practical framework to stress and system-wide coordination, enhance understanding of antisemitism, stressing more consistent and effective response across UN entities. I'm very pleased to announce today here from this platform that the learning model will be launched on Monday, June 2nd, and will be available to all UN employees through logging into the site UN Campus. Distinguished guests, at the same time, in my capacity as the Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, I have been engaged in consultations across the United Nations system and with Member States on the development of a United Nations Action Plan to Combat Islamophobia. Another form of hatred and bigotry against another faith community. This effort reflects a growing recognition that anti-Muslim hatred remains a grave challenge in many parts of the world and requires a coordinated, practical, and sustained response. The objective is not only to address discrimination, but also to strengthen prevention, education, awareness, and institutional resilience. The urgency of these efforts is heightened by the profound transformation of the information environment. Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the way information is produced, consumed, and amplified. New technologies offer significant opportunities, but they also present new risks. We are increasingly confronted with digital ecosystems, in which inflammatory content often travels faster than factual information, where existing prejudices can be reinforced through algorithms, and where harmful narratives targeting religious and cultural communities can acquire unprecedented reach and visibility. The challenge is not artificial intelligence itself. The challenge is ensuring that these technologies operate within frameworks that uphold human rights, human dignity, and social responsibility. This is why the UNOSC has increasingly focused on what I call the human and ethical dimension of artificial intelligence. The central question is not what machines are capable of doing. The second question is whether technological innovation remains anchored in the values that bind our society together. In this context, I read with great interest the encyclical Magnificat Humanitas by His Holiness Pope Leo XIII, Benedict XVI, in which he underscored that we must confront the technocratic paradigm and uphold the five principles set out in the encyclical: human dignity, the common good, the universal destination of public goods, subsidiarity, and solidarity, in order to achieve social justice. Excellencies, the challenge before us is significant. But it is not insurmountable. Every act of solidarity weakens the influence of hatred. Every meaningful dialogue expands the space for coexistence. Every effort to defend the dignity of other persons strengthens the foundation of peace. As we mark the 5th International Day for Countering Hate Speech, let us renew our commitment not only to condemning hatred when it appears, but to addressing the conditions that allow it to flourish. On this day, let us remember that we are never alone in this effort. Let us remember our trust in each other. Let us remember our common belief in human dignity and solidarity that always transcends borders and divisions. I thank you.

I would like to thank Excellency Miguel Angel Moratinos for his opening remarks. May I now invite Her Excellency Ms. Melissa Fleming, Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications.

Thank you so much, Under-Secretary-General Bajani. Dear Ambassador and friend Hilaly, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative Moratinos, what important statements you have made so far. I hope that mine can enhance and probably also reconfirm some of the points that you made from the perspective of the department I lead, the Department of Global Communications, where we try to communicate for good. And communicate against hate. And that's why this 5th International Day of Countering Hate Speech is so meaningful to us, everyone in my department, and to me especially. One of the things that I wanted to emphasize today is how important every one of you who are sitting here in this audience are to us, because we need partnerships, and I believe that's the theme There are so many allies here in this room who are here, our speakers in the next panel, but those of you who are also participating and out there doing battle for good against hate speech in many dimensions. We all have one aspiration, and that is to work for a better world, a more humane world, and a world where we don't have to Confront Hate. There were many emphasized how important it is in our digital environment to work on a better internet and that we need all of society on board and that we need coalitions. And that's why we need to share the same tools. And I think this day, June 18th, this hashtag This gathering is one way to build a coalition against hate. And what we have done in my department is center our work to fight against hate speech, to maybe kind of turn it around a bit to work towards information integrity. To be aspirational in the information environment that we aim to create, an information environment where hate speech is no longer algorithmically advantaged, but the opposite. So what we have is a toolkit and also working together with everyone here on this panel for a healthier information environment. And this common cause, unfortunately, has been growing more urgent because the platforms on which much of hate speech now travels has become less— I don't know if the right word is— well, I would say self-regulated. And with the advent of AI that many of our former speakers also managed, we are seeing that hate speech can become more easily weaponized. Racist, homophobic, misogynist views that are spreading into the mainstream more easily and targeting vulnerable people everywhere. The PGA mentioned especially women, but also refugees, migrants, minorities of all kinds. And also, what are they whipping up? Anti-Semitism is Islamophobia, racism, and xenophobia. And at the same time, the trust and safety teams on the social media platforms who once filtered out the worst are now long gone. And the unscrupulous creators on these platforms are actually making money from this. So those who profit from, from this are also, are also seeing that their advertisements are being placed next to their content and being monetized. So we're trying to work on that dimension as well. So we know where this kind of hate can lead. Hate becomes dehumanization. Dehumanization sparks violence. Violence fuels conflict. Conflict provides cover for atrocities. And we've seen the result of these atrocities. And this was Auschwitz, the worst examples, of course, and then also Rwanda and Srebrenica, all brought about and fueled by hate speech, none of which had benefited from the internet. I can only imagine how— I don't even know if it could have been worse if they had the internet. But We are in an age of where we need to be very alarmed, and we cannot stop fighting. We need to point towards solutions, solutions that build a more humane internet. We want to see also more users empowered to reject hate, and we want to see more support for those who are targeted. We are continuously demanding to the tech companies to be held to far higher standards and those who are running AI companies to also understand that they need— that they have a huge responsibility in our information environment. So, we also believe that we must to shrink hate speech, we must shrink the space that it has to spread. So the whole information environment needs to be factored in, and that's why my department also goes beyond communicating around crises. It's with what we communicate as well. When we communicate values, when we stand up to people, when we speak about human rights, we get people to rally around us and to demand the protection of human dignity. So, that's why we need, again, the broadest of coalitions, and I'd just like to mention we have a very powerful coalition in member states here who all signed on to the Global Digital Compact and pledged to make the online environment safe for all. And again, I mentioned our global principles for information integrity that work as a guide to member states as they make good on those promises. So, where does this leave us? If we can achieve a more trustworthy and resilient information space with more transparency and accountability, with technology designed with safety and human dignity in mind, and where independent media is supported, where we can ensure people, not algorithms, remain in control of what they see and believe, then we can achieve a world that is more tolerant and where hate speech has no place. So thank you, everyone here. For your efforts. I think if we join forces, there are more of us than there are those who are spewing hate. We— our voices of tolerance, of dignity, of love, and of peace just need to be stronger. Thank you very much.

I would like to thank USG Melissa Fleming for her opening remarks. At this point, it's my sincere pleasure to express our collective thanks to the high-level speakers. And to close this segment of high-level speakers, I'll now deliver my own remarks, after which we open the discussion to the panel of experts. And will invite thereafter the panel of experts to come to the forum. Excellency, President of the General Assembly, Annabella Baerbock. Excellency, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. António Guterres. Excellency, Omar Hilali, Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations. Excellency USG Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Excellency USG Melissa Fleming, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, allow me now officially to greet you and to thank you once again for joining us as we mark the fifth day, the fifth International Day for Countering Hate Speech, and my very first ever since I assumed the mandate of the Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide in September last year. At the outset, I would like to express my appreciation to the Kingdom of Morocco and personally to Ambassador Hilali for his continued partnership throughout the years, including in organizing this commemorative event since the International Day was established in 2021 through General Assembly Resolution 73238. Distinguished guests, this annual high-level event has become a platform for enhancing our commitment towards addressing and countering hate speech. It has allowed and will continue to promote honest discussions on how to more effectively tackle hate speech, a chameleonic phenomenon continuously evolving in its shapes, vectors, and impacts. And through this annual event, we come together to recommit to international obligations, but also to remind all of us of our individual roles and responsibilities and to spur new ideas to address the proliferation of hate. This year, we decided to focus this International Day on the power of partnership and on how working together towards the same objective makes us stronger in our global endeavors against hatred and hateful narratives. The establishment of this International Day came 2 years after the Secretary-General launched the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, recognizing that trends of hate speech online and offline challenge global efforts to advance peace and security Human Rights and Sustainable Development. Since then, around the world, we continue to witness increasing trends of hate speech, including on social media platforms, to the point that hate is now mainstream, with no group in society spared. And with hatred being normalized, norms are broken, and so are the pillars of our common humanity. We have said it time and again: hate speech spreads fast and affects all aspects of our societies. For this reason, successfully purging this toxic virus requires a whole-of-society approach, meaning the proactive collaboration of all actors, including governments, multilateral organizations, impacted communities and individuals, civil society, academia, new and traditional media, and the private sector. The wider the reach of this collaboration, the better we all become in understanding, identifying, and addressing hate speech more effectively. The UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech underscores this plainly and directly. It stresses the need to protect and promote everybody's human rights without discrimination, to respect diversity in all its forms, and to foster intercultural and interreligious dialogue without hesitation. But it first and foremost underscores the importance of enhancing partnership in various areas of action, including data collection, monitoring, and analysis, education, media, and digital literacy, support to those who are targeted, as well as counter-speech, to only mention some. Because we've had speech affecting various aspects of our societies, the compass of possible interventions to fight it also draws from very diverse areas of knowledge and expertise. For this reason, in today's event, you will hear from experts coming from various walks of life, but all united by the same papers addressing and countering hate speech in full respect of international human rights law. Ladies and gentlemen, it is the responsibility of each of us gathering here today to do our utmost to ensure that vitriolic narratives do not expand and escalate further, engulfing entire communities. To prevent hate speech hate speech becoming normalized and weaponized, to scale up our collective efforts to break the cycle of hate, to elevate empathy, tolerance, and respect for diversity as critical pillars in any society, and to equip everyone everywhere with the knowledge, skills, tools to do so. Dear partners, this all starts here at the United Nations. The very name of our organization contains the element of partnership embedded in it. Here, where everybody can meet and address disagreements peacefully. Here, where multilateralism is called to finding solutions to shared challenges. Today, we are celebrating partnerships—partnerships with member states, international organizations, civil society, academia and the media, and within the UN system too, to advance our commitment to beat once for all the scourge of hate. But our work is not limited to today. We are dedicating this entire week to sharing knowledge, stories and good practices and lessons learnt on countering hate speech in main side events and by connecting with partners working day in and day out advancing this work. The task at hand started many years ago and will surely continue beyond this week, publicly and discreetly, at both policy and programmatic level, because it is part and parcel of our shared commitment to the United Nations Charter. For this reason, I would like to use this opportunity to thank all of you in in this event today, as well as all those who are participating in the activities we have organized during this important week. Just as hate speech begins with words, standing up to it also does. We say here at the UN that we are always supporting more speech and not less speech. More positive, strong, educated, critical, and hopeful voices can overcome the tides of hate. And we have an obligation, a responsibility, and a mission to both those voices and to support and amplify the voices of our partners. Because it is never just about hateful messages, it's about where unchecked hate speech can lead to, as history has taught us. And I will never be tired of reminding us all that the Holocaust, the 1994 genocide in Rwanda against the Tutsi, and the 1995 genocide in Srebrenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina started with words. Today we witness the power of partnership to break the cycle of hate because we are stronger when we do this together. When we join our diverse expertise, perspectives, tools, and resources. I'm grateful for your support, and please always count on mine and that of my office and the colleagues assembled here on the podium to do as much as we can. Thank you very much. Okay, at this stage, may now open the segment of the panel of experts, you know, to address us. Mr. Adama Dieng, African Union Special Envoy for the Prevention of Genocide and Other Mass Atrocities. Mr. El Mehdi Boudra, President Association Mimouna. Professor Ahmed Shaheed, Professor of International Human Rights Law in the School of Law, and Human Rights Centre at the University of Essex. Mr. Georgios Thermatis, Council of Europe General Rapporteur on Roma and Travellers Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination. Ms. Lama Mohammed, Tech Policy Fellow at New York University's Centre for Social Media, AI, and Politics. Professor Aza Karam, Founding President and CEO of Learnt Integrity. May I open this panel with the introduction of a video message by His Excellency Mr. Dama Dieng, the Special Envoy of the African Union on the Prevention of the Crime of genocide and mass atrocities. It goes without saying that His Excellency Mr. Adama Dieng is a previous Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and Under-Secretary-General at the United Nations. He supported the launch of the strategy and plan of action by the Secretary-General, and therefore we hold him very dear for both his commitment as well as to his work. Mr. Dama Dieng.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor to join you for this 5th International Day for Countering Hate Speech. I wish to begin by expressing my deep appreciation to the Kingdom of Morocco and to the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect for convening this important gathering. Your leadership, your persistence, and your moral clarity have helped to keep the world's attention on one of the most urgent challenges of our time. For more than four decades, in my work across Africa and within the United Nations, I have witnessed how words can either build peace or destroy the very foundations of our shared humanity. Hate speech is never just speech. It is a warning sign. It is a spark that, if left unchecked, can ignite discrimination, fuel violence, and open the door to the unspeakable crimes we are all committed to preventing. Today we meet at a moment when conflicts are multiplying, when societies are polarized, and when new technologies allow hatred to spread spread faster than truth, faster than empathy, faster than our ability to respond. But we also meet at a moment of possibility because we know what works. We know that no single actor, no single institution can counter hate speech alone. The power lies in partnership. Throughout my career, whether strengthening early warning systems, supporting communities emerging from conflict, or advocating for the rights and dignity of those targeted by violence, one lesson has remained constant. We, when we stand together, we can stop the descent into hatred. When government, civil society, religious leaders, educators, the private sector, and young people join forces, we create the strongest shield against division and fear. Partnerships are not an accessory to this work. They are its beating heart. They allow us to combine knowledge with innovation, policy with community wisdom, technology with human values. They help us build societies where diversity is celebrated, where dialogue replaces suspicion, and where every individual feels seen, protected and respected. But partnership also demands courage. It requires us to listen to those who are marginalized, to challenge narratives that dehumanize, to invest in education, digital literacy, and responsible communication. And above all, it requires us to defend the principle that every human being, regardless of identity, belief, or origin, every human being is entitled to dignity. On this International Day, let us renew our commitment to that principle. Let us strengthen the alliances that protect our shared humanity. And let us remember that countering hate speech is not only about preventing harm. It is about building the world we want future generations to inherit. I thank you for your dedication for your partnership, and for your unwavering resolve. Together, we can ensure that the voices of respect, compassion, and justice are louder than the voices of hate. I thank you.

I would like to thank Mr. Adama Dieng for his statement. May I now invite Mr. El Mehdi Boudra, President, Association Mimouna, to take the floor.

Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor to take the floor today on the occasion of the 5th International Day for Countering Hate Speech. I'm proud to do so her at the United Nations as a Moroccan. His Majesty King Mohammed VI's leadership has made Morocco a model of mutual understanding, dialogue, and convivencia. These are the pillars for a better, more peaceful, and prosperous world where pluralism is seen as a strength rather than as a threat. Morocco's example is especially important today as the world witnesses exclusion and rejection of the other. Racism and hate speech have no boundaries. Minorities are scapegoated and stigmatized before being attacked. Xenophobia, antisemitism, and Islamophobia are on the rise in many countries. We need to revisit the Rabat Plan of Action, which already in 2012 called for government and civil society to counter hatred from political, religious, and communal leaders to the media and educators, we all have a moral and ethical responsibility to oppose the hate speech plaguing the world. Everyone needs to think critically, resist manipulation, and amplify voices of moderation in order to build resilience against misinformation and divisive narratives. I would like to share a few examples from Association's Mimouna history Preserving and promoting the Moroccan model. For 19 years, we have taken our responsibility as Moroccans seriously. As we say in Morocco, "Yeddu hadama tatsfaksh"—one hand does not clap. With our partners, we cannot only clap. We can break the cycles of hate by creating more peaceful, just, and inclusive societies. One powerful way to realize this vision is by preserving oral histories. And the heritage of minority communities. In the formerly shared neighborhood of Morocco, the Mellah, work together on Ruh al-Millah with ASF, Essaouira Mogador, and Diarna to empower Moroccan Muslims to safeguard memories and share the histories in order to understand the roots of prejudice and ensure that marginalized voices are not forgotten. Another way is by building a network of religious minorities from across the MENA region. Including the Assyrian, Chaldean, Coptic, and Maronite Christian communities. Together with our partners, especially the American Jewish Committee, we gathered in Esawira Ajbayt Dakira, the House of Memory. Scholars and educators from Iraq, Tunisia, Lebanon, Egypt, and Azerbaijan to rethink how the Holocaust, the Yazidi, and the Bosnian genocide are taught and remembered, as well as how historical Memory can be a powerful tool against hate. Culturally, our difference can promote unity. We have worked with diaspora communities, Muslims and Jews, who feel the affinity of their Moroccanity despite their theological differences. Their cultural commonalities open the door to cooperation. Moreover, they have come to each other's aid against Islamophobia and antisemitism respectively. Then why have our partnerships been successful? First, relationship must come before programs. Every meaningful initiative we have launched was preceded by years of trust-building. Second, young people are not merely the audience, they are the answer. Mimouna was founded by students and continues to be driven by youth. When young people are empowered to create their own counter-narrative, they became in a coalition against hate. Third, we must begin with shared identity rather than difference. Countering hate is most effective when it's rooted in culture and belonging. The most powerful thing Mimouna has done was not simply to oppose hatred directly, but to make coexistence feel natural, authentic, and proudly Moroccan. Culture is the key to building resilient and inclusive societies. In a world where hate speech spreads across borders and platforms, partnerships remain our stronger response. No institution, no community, and no country can address the challenge alone. But together, through trust, education, memory, and youth leadership, we can free the world from hate. Thank you.

I would like to thank Mr. El-Mahdi for his statement. May I now invite to take the floor my long-standing friend, Professor Ahmed Shaheed, from the School of Law and Human Rights Centre at the University of Essex.

Thank you very much, Excellencies, delegates, participants, and fellow panellists. I am delighted to join this panel and speak about my experiences in establishing and maintaining partnerships in countering hate speech. As some of you might know, I work with a wide range of actors and communities, offering my voice to amplify their concerns where I can, facilitating platforms to highlight their concerns, and supporting networking between different stakeholder groups. The session this afternoon in Conference Room 1512 on collaborative approaches to combating hatred will illustrate some of the details of this work. A starting point for much of my work on partnerships is Human Rights Council Resolution 1618 from 2011, which constitutes one of the oldest action-oriented frameworks at the UN to combat hate. The resolution offers a human rights-compliant path to address Islamophobia, and the, and the action plan that the resolution contains is also relevant for addressing other forms of religious intolerance and hatred. The first point of the action plan in Resolution 1818 is a call on states to build collaborative networks among different communities. It stresses the importance of shared projects that create shared spaces. Such activities can generate cooperation, solidarity, and allyship, and foster social cohesion. Crucially, they can help level up communities and strengthen equality, or at least demonstrate equal concern and equal respect, and this is the strongest antidote against hate. Collaborative projects defeat stigmatization, dehumanization, and exclusion, which is, which is what hate speakers seek to do. Moreover, such projects that promote partnerships can also remove the competition to seek relative gains between different groups or resentment over perceived hierarchies of state favour. For the past 10 years, I have promoted a range of activities to advance the implementation of this Action Plan. One is the advocacy of the Singapore Model for the Istanbul Process. This is a process of regular review by States of progress made by them in the implementation of the Action Plan. The Singapore Review in 2016 invited for the first time society actors to join this review. As that meeting and subsequent meetings have shown, the participation of NGOs in this process enriched the reviews beyond measure. Other efforts include the work of the Essex Human Rights 30 Forum, which since 2024 has promoted 3 initiatives on 3 different models of collaborative partnerships. The first is a North-South South Exchange amongst NGOs, actors in the frontlines of combating hatred. This provided a platform for shared learning, capacity building, networking between groups who had not interacted before. The second is a multi-stakeholder forum that brought together government officials, parliamentarians, NGOs, religious actors from different faith communities, and academics. This initiative in fact created a framework for action called the Tirana Framework for Combating Intolerance. The core message of this framework is the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration as well as inclusion of all communities facing hatred. It also envisioned a standing NGO mechanism that can support this Istanbul process. The third is the Oslo Consultation in January this year. In addition to stressing the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, the Oslo outcome also highlighted the value and necessity of engaging not just transnationally but also vertically to cover all levels of the governance architecture. The core message from this layered engagement was the crucial role of municipal actors in countering hate. The advantage of these actors is their proximity to people, enabling a people-centered approach. This tended to be less polarizing and less vulnerable to division and politicization based on abstract claims and generalizations at other levels. All these efforts revealed gaps in current approaches and the benefits of closing those gaps. They also highlighted insights important to making the Rabat Plan of Action work more effectively. One of the contributions of the Rabatana faction is protecting freedom of expression, especially against overly broad restrictions. The key contribution in this regard is to highlight the obligation states to protect speech that may be described as awful but lawful, to provide a threshold test to see when the lawful threshold is crossed, and to apply a sliding severity of responses in proportion to the gravity of the actual or potential harm. Equally important is the counter-speech system that the Action Plan promotes by affirming that the best response to hate speech is in fact more speech, speech that challenges hateful narratives. However, for the counter-speech system to work, there must also be guarantees that the hate speech that they face does not divide, does not drive these other communities out of the public space, especially minorities, from platforms, from public spaces, and democratic contexts. If these guarantees are not there, then the counter-speech system would serve only the powerful and will fail to uphold freedom of expression for all, as well as democracy. This is where partnerships become important. Partnerships that create shared and safe spaces enable counter-protests, counter-mobilization, push back against racists and hate groups, and build social cohesion and resilience. Partnerships that are grounded in human rights and stretches across different communities are best suited to make sure that there is an effective mechanism to support the counter-speech system. Thank you very much.

I would like to thank Professor Shahid for his statement. May I now give the floor to Mr. Giorgios Stamaitis, the General Rapporteur on Roma and Travellers of the Council of Europe, who so kindly joined us in a side event yesterday on the rights and forgotten voices of the Romani genocide.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, dear friends. First of all, I would like to mention that it is a great honor and pleasure to participate in this high-level event marking the 5th International Day for Countering Hate Speech. I would like also to warmly thank the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations and our organizer for bringing us together around an issue that is essential to the protection of human rights and democratic values. The Parliament of Morocco enjoys the status of partner for democracy with the Parliamentary Assembly for the Council of Europe, which means that a Moroccan delegation may and does take active part in the activities of the Assembly. We are meeting at a time when hate speech has gained visibility across Europe. The rise of populist and far-right narratives has contributed to a climate in which stereotypes, prejudices, and hostilities towards minorities are present in political discourse, traditional media, and of course online platforms. At the same time, digital technologies have underlined the speed with which hateful narratives and disinformation can spread across societies. Hate speech is often the first stage of extreme fanaticism and hate crimes. It influences perceptions, normalizes prejudice, and creates division between communities. Unfortunately, modern history has demonstrated that hate speech can pave the way for persecution and atrocity crimes. As General Portainer of Roma and Travellers of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, I would like to focus on the hate speech and discrimination that face the Roma and Travellers in Europe, a hidden population, almost 12 million people in Europe. Although Roma and Travellers represent Europe's largest ethnic minority, they continue to face deeply discrimination and social exclusion. This marginalization is fueled by anti-Gypsyism, anti-Ziganism, which is sustained by harmful stereotypes in whole Europe. The most tragic of anti-Roma hate speech was the Roma Holocaust during the Second World War II. Hundreds of thousands of Roma in cities were persecuted and murdered by the Nazi regime and collaborators. The Roma Holocaust stands as a stark reminder of where discrimination, racism, and hate can ultimately lead when they remain the focus. Yes, yet despite the progress that has been made, anti-Ziganism remains a painful reality today, as discrimination in education, healthcare,— employment and housing remains a deeply concerning reality across Europe. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has consistently advocated for concerted action to address these challenges. For this reason, we have resolutions promoting the inclusion of Roma and Travellers, and the Assembly has urged Member States to step up efforts to fight discrimination discrimination and drive inclusion. In additional good practice in the area of countering hate speech, in No Hate parliamentary alliance, a network of parliamentarians commit to take actions against intolerance, hate speech, and racism in all their forms, including anti-Tipuism. This alliance was created following the Pace Resolution. In the context, last year, a new mandate of General Rapporteur on Roma and Travellers were established by the Assembly. As the first General Rapporteur on Roma and Travellers, I try to work systematically, but especially to convince the other parliamentarians not to use hate speech against the Roma. Furthermore, the media play a key role. Public debate about Roma communities often focuses on discrimination, on negative stories, and of course hate speech. Created visibility should be given to positive examples and role models as well as to the many contributions Roma citizens make to culture, education, art, music, and public life. If we truly want to break the cycle of hate, we must encourage them, to educate them, and to empower them, especially the women and the young boys. Remembrance, education, and responsible public discussion is needed for today. In this time, most of the Roma in Europe, they don't know their history, and most of no Roma, they don't know that the Roma has a history and culture. Technology also plays a key role in the spread on hate speech and racism in all its forms. Digital platforms create new opportunities for participation education and communication, but in the same time plays crucial role against the Roma as a hate speech. By investing in this practical, we have to invest in the practical tools and by promoting cooperation among the governments, national parliamentarians, and civil society. And of course, the most crucial roles play the local communities and the local authorities. We have to invest in the local authorities through the cooperation with the parliamentaries and the governments. Once again, thank you.

I'd like to thank Mr. Stamaitis for his statement. May I now invite Ms. Lana Mohamed, the social media, AI, and politics expert from the New York University, to take the floor.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, and esteemed colleagues, thank you to the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Morocco, the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention, and Mr. Ambassador Halali for convening this vital high-level event. My name is Nada Mohammed, and I'm the inaugural Tech Policy Fellow at New York University Center for Social Media, AI, and Politics, also known as CSMAP. At our center, we study how AI, digital platforms, and emerging technologies impact politics, policy, and democracy. Today, as we commemorate the 5th International Day for Countering Hate Speech, I want to discuss a specific foundational partnership essential to winning this fight, cultivating a multi-stakeholder coalition among independent researchers, policymakers, and technology companies. If we want to build practical approaches to protect our shared humanity from online hate speech, we cannot rely on anecdotes or guesswork. We need empirical evidence. Independent academic research serves as the critical bridge that translates issues in the vast, complex digital information environment into actionable, evidence-based policy. Through our work, we have seen firsthand how data-driven partnerships between researchers and social media platforms yield practical tools and influences into legislation. I'd like to share two specific examples of approaches that we have tested. First, when it comes to content moderation, we must ask, what actually changes user behavior? Many platforms rely on outright bans. But our researchers conducted an experiment to test the impact of a step short of that, providing proactive warnings. We found that warning users about the potential consequences of their behavior can temporarily reduce their posting of hateful language by up to 10%. Crucially, the matter and— of matter and type of the warning is important. Our research showed that polite, respectful language delivered from an account perceived as legitimate is often the most effective way to curb hateful rhetoric. This finding represents a highly practical, scalable tool that platforms can adopt today. Second, while social media is often recognized as a driver of polarization, our research shows that it can actually be repurposed for peacebuilding. In a recent experiment conducted on WhatsApp in a region experiencing significant interreligious group Our researchers found that facilitating short, structured, and casual online interactions between members of historically divided religious communities significantly reduced prejudice. By partnering with civil society to deliberately design positive online intergroup contact, we can strike the root cause of intolerance. However, identifying and scaling these good practices brings me to a critical lesson that we have learned. We cannot innovate or operate in the dark. Currently, the single greatest barrier to addressing online hate speech is the lack of standardized independent researcher access to platform data. Without the ability to look under the hood, we cannot evaluate whether a platform's interventions are actually working. For example, when X, formerly known as Twitter, announced it would deactivate certain trending features to quell violence during an ongoing regional conflict, our researchers evaluated the data. We found no discriminant decrease in the volume or toxicity of harmful posts following the intervention. This finding highlights that good intentions do not always translate to good outcomes. And without independent oversight nor trust and safety teams, we have no mechanism to correct this issue. The second example is why establishing robust data sharing partnerships is is extremely vital. Much of my own direct experience has focused on advocating for these structures. My colleagues and I have provided extensive feedback to major regional and national regulators worldwide, advocating for legal frameworks that mandate secure, privacy-preserving data access for independent public interest researchers. The lesson we have learned from these policy engagements is clear: voluntary partnerships with technology companies are far too fragile. To create a healthy information ecosystem, we must institutionalize these partnerships. We need governments to enact frameworks that protect researcher access, platforms to open their doors to independent scrutiny, and civil society to take the resulting evidence and turn it into community-level action. Addressing hate speech is not a challenge a single sector can solve alone. And as I've explained today, it is not one we can solve on goodwill alone either. Knowing that platforms and tools and evidence exist, we now need the structure to make these partnerships permanent rather than occasional and mandatory rather than voluntary. This is the coalition CSMAP is ready to help build with governments in this room, member states in this room, and platforms watching outside of it, and civil society organizations turning evidence into action on the ground. Protecting our shared humanity from hate speech reach should not depend on what happens— should not happen to be willing. It should depend on what we have built together.

Thank you.

I would like to thank Ms. Mohammed for her statement. And now I invite Professor Aza Karam, the founding president and CEO of Land Integrity, to take the floor. I would just like to share that before the event started, she handed over to me a powerful message: May the world be at peace. The message comes from the 9th Buddhist Summit. She qualified that she's not a Buddhist, but it's the essence of the message that matters. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, Excellency Beyani. Excuse me. And may I also add my voice of gratitude to the co-sponsors of this very important commemorative event of the Fifth International Day of Hate Speech. I would especially like to doff my hat, so to speak, to Under-Secretary-General Bujani and His Excellency the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco, which, being an Arab myself, an Egyptian, is one of the countries in the world I look to also for leadership in the space of plenty of multicultural engagement and civility. So thank you very much indeed to all of you who have set this up. I want to begin where Ms. Mohammed ended, which is the fact that there is really no way that good intentions alone translate into good engagement actions and kindness, and that addressing hate speech, and I quote you if I may, is not a challenge any one sector no one leader can address alone. I believe in our conversations today, we have heard so many different pieces of wisdom from the value added of what Her Excellency Melissa Fleming mentioned, that those of us who are not in favor of hate speech, would not practice it ourselves, and certainly stand against it, are far more than those who would. And I think the power of numbers is not to be underestimated in this particular context or in any. I also wish to thank the previous speakers for mentioning the interlinkage between hate speech and genocide. As an Arab, please permit me to mention one of the genocides that has not been mentioned here. And since I am not representing any official body, I can say that we need to remember the Palestinian people. In this context because hate speech is behind their— the atrocities committed against them as well. There are many who are suffering the impacts of hate speech. We've heard of the terrific work done by Maymouna, and again, I doff my hat to that institution for the value that they have placed on oral history. You can't speak about hate speech without noting the the oral impact of the way that we speak and interact with one another. Thank you to Professor Shaheed for the rich array of institutions, plans, activities, mechanisms, fora that are already very much enacted. Partnership is not new, after all. The trick, as we heard from many of those on this panel, esteemed panel, is that partnerships need to be made to work, and— and this is perhaps the only thing I would add— they need to be held accountable to one another, by one another. It is not important only to go into partnership, it is equally important to be responsible for what the partnerships— each member of the partnership to take responsibility for what they do or do not and to acknowledge where we could do better. Thank you very much to Mr. Stamatis for remembering and emphasizing, and I've heard him say this in many contexts, the Roma Holocaust, because we often only think of the Holocaust as atrocious as it was, as only referencing one group of people. It took in its stead many innocent lives. It is important to understand that continued, continued discrimination against the Roma people is also symbolic of where we are failing together to address one another. One point that I would emphasize that our distinguished speakers have all mentioned here is that hate speech is not a standalone problem. Hate speech is the quintessential network that links all forms of violence, atrocities, xenophobia, discrimination, war, conflict, and genocide. Hate speech is the thread that is woven and is woven systematically between all forms of discrimination as we see them and live them today. So when we speak against hate speech, we are not speaking against one particular form. We are speaking against all forms of violence and discrimination. And that is why partnerships are absolutely essential. We do not lack for laws. Clearly, as we have heard, we lack for implementation, we lack for courage. And I'm sorry to say this, but I think those who have led us in showing courage are not necessarily those already employed in specific institutions. It is the young people to whom I look for, for inspiration. In this country as well as many others, it is the young people who have taken the risk Because you see, to counter hate speech requires solidarity, but it also requires the courage to pay the price for that solidarity. It is not enough to have different implementations, mechanisms, and instruments. It is necessary but not enough. It is not enough to have the right people in the right place at the right time. What is necessary is the courage to pay the price for solidarity against all forms of hate speech, all forms of discrimination, and all forms of violence that result from it. And it is perhaps this courage that we look to this venerable institution for. And as we stand on the cusp of appreciating 80 years of the United Nations and all those of you who constitute its members, we also stand at a moment when we need to appreciate that it is important to acknowledge and celebrate the courage of those who may be outside of the walls of this institution, but are very much within the walls of our own hearts. And I therefore wish to say as my last word, thank you once again to all the brilliant speeches that have been shared. Thank you to all the incredible activism that continues to be stewarded and spearheaded by remarkable people. Please do not forget that every single act of atrocity against anyone is an act of atrocity against everyone, and that as we work together, we work together primarily to uplift. But perhaps most insidiously, as those of us in Lead Integrity maintain, we will not be able to be strong individually, but we will and we must exemplify the kind of courageous leadership that is prepared to pay the price. Some of us in this room have paid the price for that leadership. Ideally, even though it doesn't sound very attractive, ideally every single one of us should be able to say, "I have paid a price for the solidarity with those with whom atrocities were being committed against." Thank you.

I would like to thank Professor Karam for her statement. As this concludes the expert panel discussions, please allow me on your behalf to thank the distinguished panel members as well as show appreciation to the expertise that they have brought to this particular discussion. It is now my pleasure to invite the distinguished Permanent Representative of Morocco, Ambassador Excellency Omar Hilali, to preside over interventions by member states. Your Excellency.

Thank you very much, dear brother Bayani. I would like to join your voice to strongly thank and express our gratitude to the panelists, which provide us with very strong message from the field and reaffirm commitments that what they are doing is very important, either here in the UN or outside the UN, as the last speaker, Mr. Aziz Akkaran, said. There is a lot of people who have courage outside the UN, and who sometimes pay with their lives to protect or to promote respect and also to protect differences. That's the heart of our life, and that's the heart of all the religions. That's equal Human beings are equal. Their religions are equal also. And we have to— this obligation, either moral or religious or political, to live together and to respect each other, and especially to respect our differences. Saying this, I have the pleasure to give the floor to my dear brother, the Ambassador Permanent Representative of United Arab Kingdom, that the country have been at the forefront of promoting tolerance with their first resolution in the Security Council. Thank you very much, and you have floor, dear Ambassador.

Thank you, dear Ambassador Hilal, and Mr. Chair. I'd like to begin by thanking the Kingdom of Morocco and the UN Office on Genocide Prevention for organizing this important commemoration. I also commend Morocco for its leadership in advancing international efforts to address hate speech, and I thank the briefers for their valuable insights. As we mark the 5th International Day for Countering Hate Speech, we are reminded that words have the power to unite, but also to divide. Hate speech deepens polarization, erodes social cohesion, and contributes to conflict. Left unchecked, it can dehumanize entire communities and undermine the trust on which peaceful societies depend. This threat is also evolving, becoming increasingly global and spreading at unprecedented speed. Extremists exploit digital platforms and emerging technologies to amplify hate speech, incitement, misinformation, and disinformation, including through AI-generated content. These developments reinforce a simple reality: no single actor possesses all the tools needed to address these challenges. It requires cooperation among governments, international organizations, technology companies, civil society, and communities themselves. This is why the theme of today's event, The Power of Partnerships, is so timely. For the United Arab Emirates, tolerance is not merely a value, it is a strategic asset. Home to more than 200 nationalities, we have seen firsthand how peaceful coexistence leverages diversity as a strength. The UAE has been actively engaged in efforts to confront the risks posed by hate speech. And as was mentioned by Ambassador Hilal, in 2023, together with the United Kingdom, we co-penned Security Council Resolution 2686 on tolerance, peace, and security, which led to the Council recognizing for the first time that hate speech, extremism, and related forms of intolerance can contribute to the outbreak, escalation, and recurrence of conflict. The resolution calls for a whole-of-society approach and greater coherence across the UN system, recognizing that prevention is a shared endeavor. To advance the Tolerance, Peace and Security Agenda, in April of this year we launched the TPS Series in partnership with New York University. The series stems from a simple observation: while much attention is rightly given to the harms caused by hate speech and intolerance, we must also deepen our understanding of the pathways for strengthening resilience against them. By bringing together member states, UN entities, practitioners, and academics, the series seeks to develop a shared understanding of how tolerance can contribute across the peace continuum and how it can be more effectively institutionalized and operationalized across the UN system and beyond. The UAE remains committed to strengthening partnerships that advance tolerance and social cohesion as catalysts for security and prosperity. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the Ambassador-Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates for his speech, and now I give the floor to His Excellency the Ambassador-Permanent Representative of Australia.

Thank you so much, Ambassador, colleagues, and friends. What an important discussion this is for all of us. I wanted to make a couple of remarks from an Australian perspective because, of course, we have been working very actively on this issue in very recent times in response to some really difficult challenges that we've faced. Hate speech, anti-Muslim hate crime, Islamophobia, and anti-Semitism are all rising globally, and they're affecting us both internationally and also nationally. Global conflicts, geopolitical tensions, and other thing— other activities have amplified divisions across borders and within communities. And history teaches us a really hard truth, that atrocities do not begin with violence, they actually begin with words. Words which undermine the right to live free from discrimination. Australia has 3 key messages on this. First, we unequivocally condemn hatred and discrimination of any kind. Both at home and abroad. There is simply no place for hatred or intolerance in Australia. It undermines our stability, prosperity, and democracy, and efforts to divide us will be comprehensively opposed. Second, Australia has been taking really substantial, concrete steps to confront hate. We have taken recent measures which significantly strengthen Australia's hate crime laws which cracked down on those who spread hate, division, and radicalization. These activities include new criminal offenses for publicly displaying or trading hate symbols, offenses for advocating or threatening violence against protected groups, including groups distinguished by race, religion, sexual orientation, and disability, and offenses for possessing violent extremist material. The Australian government has recently legislated new powers to reject visas for those who spread hate and division, and we have launched the first phase of our National Hate Crimes Database. We know that digital technologies can amplify hate speech at speed and at tremendous scale, and we are committed to improving the safety of online spaces for all Australians and are developing legislation to implement a digital duty of care requiring digital platforms operating in Australia to take reasonable steps to ensure a safe online experience. Third, we know there's more to do. Combating hatred requires ongoing national efforts and collective global commitment. Inclusive dialogue and engagement across faiths are key to Australia's strength. Fostering environments where people can express disagreement peacefully and respectfully without fear of discrimination or harm is vital. A whole-of-society approach is necessary with sustained partnership across governments, community organizations, faith groups, educators, and digital platforms supporting broader atrocity prevention efforts. For this reason, Australia has committed to provide further direct funding support to the UN Office of Genocide Prevention and Responsibility to Protect to support this on a global scale. Thank you very much indeed.

I thank the Ambassador Permanent Representative of Australia for his intervention, and especially for the presentation of the measures that his country just took courageously after the tragic— I would say, condemnable attacks— terrorist attack on your country. We express to you our solidarity. Now I give the floor to the Ambassador-Permanent Representative of Oman. Please, you have the floor.

Thank you, Excellency. Distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the Sultanate of Oman, I extend our sincere appreciation to the Kingdom of Morocco and to the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect and for the Alliance of Civilizations, Office of the Alliance of Civilizations, for convening this important high-level event marking the 5th International Day for Countering Hate Speech. Oman reaffirms its steadfast commitment to advancing a culture of tolerance, coexistence, culture of peace that are deeply embedded in our identity and enshrined in our policies and institutions. Guided by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq's vision, Oman continues to promote dialogue, promote it, and peaceful engagement both nationally and internationally. In recent years, Oman has intensified its effort to advance this agenda through a number of initiatives, including strengthening national frameworks that promote religious coexistence and protect freedom of belief and cultural diversity, supporting educational and awareness programs that fosters dialogue, mutual understanding, and digital responsibility among youth, engaging actively with international partners, including United Nations entities, to advance intercultural dialogue and counter harmful narratives. Engaging actively with international partners and entities to advance intercultural dialogue, Oman has also worked closely with the UN relevant offices and initiatives, including support of the UN strategy and plan of action on hate speech, recognizing the importance of coordinated multilateral response. Furthermore, we are proud to have developed the Muscat Plan of Action launched last Thursday, the 11th of June. Oman values the efforts of the United Nations agencies and offices that promote early prevention, education, and capacity building, particularly in addressing the root causes of hate speech and in building resilient, inclusive societies. We commend the leadership of the Kingdom of Morocco in championing this General Assembly resolution that have elevated this issue on the international agenda and underscores the central role of the partnership in countering hate speech. As highlighted in today's discussion, a whole-of-society and multi-stakeholder approach is essential to effectively address this complex and evolving challenge. In solidarity with Morocco and the United Nations, Oman reiterates its commitment to further strengthening cooperation, sharing experiences, and investing and practical tools that promote tolerance and counter hate speech. We believe that sustained partnership across governments, international organizations, civil societies, and the private sector are key to building more inclusive and peaceful global community. Oman will continue to work alongside you and to reinforce the culture of respect, dialogue, and understanding. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the Ambassador Permanent Representative of Oman for his speech, and now I give the floor to the DPR, Ambassador DPR of Russia. She's not here. Okay. Now I give the floor to the representative of Canada. Please, DPR of Canada.

Thank you so much, Chair. Uh, Canada is honored to join you today to mark the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. Canada is known for its diversity, but we gather with a clear understanding that hate is not a distant phenomenon. It is present in our own society, and we have witnessed its deadly consequences. We have seen rising incidents of racism and other forms of hatred across the country, such as attacks on places of worship, including mosques and synagogues. These tragedies force us to confront a painful truth: we have much work to do. Hate and intolerance persist in our institutions, in our communities, and increasingly online. Social media platforms amplify harmful narratives at unprecedented speed. Allowing misinformation and dehumanizing rhetoric to spread division across our society. In moments of heightened polarization, many minorities live with the quiet awareness that they are viewed differently or that their inclusion is conditional. Ongoing conflicts around the world, including in the Middle East, have deepened fear, hatred, and polarization, fueling hostility and suspicion towards Muslim and Jewish communities worldwide. Canada is no exception. But we have tools to guide us. Human Rights Council Resolution 1618 remains a vital action plan, one that emphasizes practical measures to combat intolerance and discrimination. In Canada, we have launched the Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion, to strengthen coordination in addressing various forms of hate and racism. This work is grounded in partnership with communities, experts, and civil society, and it will build on the work of Canada's Special Representative on Combating Islamophobia and the Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Anti-Semitism. Colleagues, combating hate speech requires more than condemnation. It requires accountability, transparency, and collaboration between governments and civil society. It is a sustained commitment to building societies where diversity is a source of strength, where human rights are universal, and where every person, regardless of faith, race, gender, or background, can live without fear. Canada stands ready to work with all member states, with communities, and with people of all faiths to advance social cohesion. Together we can choose coexistence over division, dignity over discrimination, and inclusion over hate. I thank you.

I thank the Ambassador DPR of Canada. And now I give the floor to the Ambassador DPR of Rwanda.

Thank you very much, Chair, and thanks to the conveners of this meeting. We really appreciate for keeping the topic on the table of this organization, and thanks very much to the briefers. We really appreciate very much. Chair and colleagues, by way of sharing Rwanda's perspective, 32 years ago, our country witnessed how words can prepare a very dangerous violence that we have seen in the recent history. And long before the genocide against the Tutsi, there were years of dehumanization that has been mentioned and a long period of hate propaganda that was being entrenched. In society. People were taught to hate and to see their fellow human beings as less. Genocide did not start with the machetes. It started with words of hate, such as calling other people cockroaches. It started when hate messages were repeated and accepted enough to become accepted. It started when hate became normal. It started when those spreading dangerous messages faced no consequences, and we see it around the world. And that's why we believe and convinced that hate speech should never be dismissed as a mere rhetoric or political expression. History has taught us that words matter. The warning signs are often visible long before violence. We see them when people are targeted because of who they are, or where they come from, what they believe, or how they identify themselves. And we see it today. We see them when dehumanization language becomes part of the daily discourse. We see them when those who spread hatred around the world or in countries are celebrated or rewarded or given platforms instead of being challenged. And we must ask ourselves very difficult questions. Why do we wait until violence elapses before taking action? Why do we ignore warning signs that are often visible to everyone's eyes? And at what point does silence become acceptable? These are very uncomfortable questions, but they are very necessary if prevention means anything. Anything and following what our panelists shared with us. And this is why focus on partnership is therefore very important. And we believe that no government, no institution, nor the Office of Genocide Prevention or the Global Communications Office can do it alone. Hate speech, as already mentioned, travels across borders. It moves quickly through traditional media, social media, and digital platforms. Responding to it requires cooperation among governments, the United Nations, civil society, educators, journalists, technology companies, and communities themselves. Therefore, prevention is a shared responsibility. At the national level, Rwanda has invested heavily in rebuilding a society based on unity, dignity, and inclusion. Through policies, education, and initiatives such as I Am Rwandan, we continue to strengthen a common national identity that brings people together rather than divide them. Colleagues, the legacy of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda reminds us that those who deliberately use media and communication platforms to incite hatred and violence can and should be held responsible. The media case established a principle that remains relevant today: words can kill. Excellencies, the challenge today is that hateful narratives can spread faster and further than ever before. Therefore, as we embrace innovations, we must ensure that technology serves human dignity and does not become a tool for amplifying hatred and division in our societies. And on this, allow me to conclude with a few reflections. The most powerful voices in this discussion are often those of survivors. Their testimonies remind us that what happens when hatred is allowed to grow unchecked is very dangerous. They remind us why remembrance matters, and they remind us that prevention is not simply a policy objective. It is a human responsibility. And with this, Rwanda remains really committed to working with all partners to build societies where dignity triumphs over hatred, where early warning leads us to early action, and where "never again" is not just a slogan, but a commitment that guides our choices on everyday basis. I thank you very much.

I thank the DPR of Rwanda, and now I give the floor to His Excellency the Ambassador Permanent Representative of Israel, Herr Flosser.

I thank the Kingdom of Morocco and the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention for convening this important event today. Today's theme is countering hate speech hate speech through partnership. And we must be clear about why that matters. Because hate speech does not end with words. It does not stay online. It moves. It spreads. It radicalizes. When it is not confronted, it becomes violence. For Jewish people and for Israelis, the past 3 years have proven this again and again. We saw it in Bondi Beach in Australia, where the local Jewish community gathered to celebrate Hanukkah and 15 people were murdered in an act of terrorism and antisemitic hate. We saw it in the stabbings and arson attacks at Golders Green in London, UK. We saw it at synagogues and Jewish schools in Toronto. We see it here in New York City. Excellencies, just this morning it was reported that swastikas were found in yearbooks at the United Nations International School, UNIS, the same school that teaches the children of the diplomats in this room. This is the pattern: first come the chants, then come the threats, Then come the attacks. Much of today's antisemitism comes in the language of anti-Zionism. Not criticism of our government. Not disagreement with our policy. Those are legitimate. We can argue about that. But calling for the destruction of the only Jewish state is not criticism. Chanting Globalizing Tifarah is not peace activism. Denying October 7th is not resistance. Glorifying Hamas is not human rights. Disagreeing with Israel is fine. It's legitimate. But repeating Hamas propaganda, denying October 7th, and spreading blood libels— and we heard it here in this room— about genocide, starvation are not legitimate. That is why we need partnership. Real partnership. Partnership that translates to action. First, institutions must adapt and use the IHRA working definition of antisemitism. IHRA is not a slogan. It is a practical tool. It helps Governments, universities, police, and institutions identify antisemitism clearly. It does not prevent criticism of Israel. It makes the difference clear. Criticism is legitimate, but demonization, delegitimization, and double standards against the Jewish state are not. You can remember the 3 Ds always. When you need to make that distinction. Second, education must be part of the answer. No child should be taught that a terrorist is a hero. No school should glorify murder. A child taught to hate at 8 can become a terrorist at 18. Third, governments must enforce the law. Threats against Jewish communities must have consequences. Finally, the UN must look inward. The UN's Action Plan to Enhance Monitoring and Response to Anti-Semitism cannot be lip service. It must apply inside the UN system as well as outside it. Israel is ready to work with every member state, every faith community, and every institutional group that is serious about confronting hatred before it becomes violence. But partnership begins with action today. Punish incitement. Condemn the blood libels. Protect Jewish communities. Stop excusing hate just because it is aimed at Israel.

Thank you.

I thank Ambassador Perman, Representative of Israel, for his statements. And now I give the floor to the Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief of Norway.

Thank you, Ambassador, and thank you for Morocco's leadership in this important matter. Today's high-level event on the power— power of partnerships in countering speech is crucial. The message coming out of this meeting should be clear. We need to come together as partners to increase our joint efforts to counter discrimination and hate speech. So I have 3 points to make. First, I would like to underline the importance the government of Norway pays to this issue. No one should be subjected to hate. Hate speech can have serious consequences for individuals, groups and for society, and it must be combated. Freedom of speech is fundamental. However, speech that spreads hatred towards other people cannot be tolerated. Hateful and discriminatory statements directed at specific minorities and which incite violence towards others are prohibited under the Norwegian law and are subject to prosecution. But challenges remain, and we need to do more to counter hateful expressions that are lawful but still awful. The Government of Norway will increase its efforts to counter hate speech and cyber hate, and has presented several action plans to combat discrimination in various areas, such as for combating antisemitism, combating hatred towards Muslims, as well as the Sami population and LGBTQI persons. Second, I would like to give one practical example. Earlier this year, Norway convened international expert consultations on combating religious intolerance and hate. This was an initiative to support national implementation of measures called for in the UN Human Rights Council Resolution 1618. And the approach identified in the Tirana Framework and the Istanbul Process. The Oslo consultations included actors such as national human rights institutions, parliamentarians, municipal actors, and civil society. I am pleased to share the report from the consultations with those who are interested, and there will also be a specific session on the outcome and follow-up of the consultation later today. And then allow me just to comment on today's theme. We need to build broader international engagement in countering hate speech in ways that align with human rights commitments to free speech on one hand, and equality and non-discrimination on the other. And discussions need to look at challenges for religious minorities in all parts of the world, where people cannot exercise their religion or belief. Going forward, strengthening our joint efforts to foster solidarity in countering discrimination and hate speech will be crucial. And with this excellent panel in front of me, I would like to end with a question, if that's all right. So to the panel, in what view, what are the key obstacles to effectively to effective partnerships against hate and intolerance? What are the key obstacles? Thank you so much.

I thank the Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief of Norway. You will have the answer to your question at the end of the list of speakers. Now I give floor to the Ambassador TPR of Russia, which will be followed by the Ambassador of Pakistan.

Please, Madam. Thank you very much, Mr. Moderator, distinguished colleagues. Let me start by expressing appreciation to the Permanent Mission of Morocco for organizing this event and this interesting discussion. UN General Assembly Resolutions 73/328, 75/309, and 79/316 supported by Russia have laid the ground for robust international response to hate speech. The resolution on combating glorification of Nazism annually submitted by Russia also addresses this problem. Russia, as a country with more than 20 million Muslims, also supported the GA resolution on measures to combat Islamophobia. Hate speech, as one of the manifestations of discrimination, is prohibited by by the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Yet, despite this framework, hate speech is becoming alarmingly common in public discourse, laying the foundation for discrimination to take root. At times, it is shielded by references to freedom of opinion and expression, a practice that cannot be justified as this freedom doesn't to incitement to discrimination. When xenophobic language spreads, it normalizes prejudice, deepens social rifts, and paves the way for unequal treatment. Hate speech is never just empty talk. It often transforms into real-world discrimination that pushes people to the margins because of their ethnicity, religion, or culture. In recent years, we have witnessed such an ugly manifestation of hate speech as Russophobia. In certain countries, Russian language, culture, Orthodox Church come under attack online and offline in Ukraine, Baltic States, and a number of European states. Recent examples: just 5 days ago, Russian language was stripped of protection for minority languages by law in Ukraine, despite the fact that for the large majority of people in Ukraine it is a native language. In Ukraine, the legislative framework laid the ground for prohibition of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, and this church is now fighting for its survival in courts. This church was also deprived of protection against mobilization into the Armed Forces of Ukraine granted to thousands of religious organizations. In Estonia, amendments to the law on churches and congregations have erected significant administrative barriers for the Estonian Orthodox Church, and many— and it may undermine its historic legacy. Canonical Orthodox Church comes under serious pressure in Latvia. All these countries have normalized hate speech against Russians and Russian culture, and deeds follow the words. But all these events evade, unfortunately, the attention of the United Nations. Dear colleagues, in this context, social networks have become a fertile ground for hatred and incitement, as well as for manipulation of public opinion. Their transnational nature amplifies the reach of harmful narratives, making coordinated international action even more urgent than ever. This is why the variation in national standards prohibiting hate speech Hate speech creates conditions in which neo-Nazi extremism, violent nationalism, and xenophobic or racist speech can find safe havens. Many such groups operate internationally and transnationally, relying on internet service providers and social media platforms to disseminate their narratives and evade accountability. Russia firmly believes that efforts to combat hate speech must be fair, consistent, and applied without double standards. Only through coordinated action by states, international organizations, religious communities, and academia, and significantly digital platforms, can we nurture a lasting culture of respect, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence. Thank you.

I thank TPR, Russia, for And now I give the floor to the Ambassador Permanent Representative of Pakistan. Please, Ambassador.

Thank you. Thank you very much, Under-Secretary-General Moratinos and Under-Secretary-General Chalokabiani, Ambassador Omar Hilal, Excellencies. I appreciate the Permanent Mission of Morocco and the UN Office of Genocide Prevention and Responsibility to Protect. The Protect for arranging this event to mark the 5th International Day of Hate Speech. And we thank all dignitaries and experts for their insightful remarks. Colleagues, hate speech indeed is an assault against our shared humanity. It disrupts societies. It militates against human equality. And dehumanizes entire groups. And as we know, digital age has further intensified the threats posed by this menace. Online platforms amplify hatred, promote disinformation, and provoke incitement against vulnerable communities. And history bears ample testimony to the fact that wrongs bred by hate speech Hate speech don't always remain confined to national boundaries, and they imperil international peace and stability, even dragging communities and countries to genocide and atrocity crimes. We remain concerned that hate speech continues to run amok in the world today. It has proliferated into mainstream discourse where identity is weaponized and perceived fear of vulnerable communities is exploited, including for electoral gains. Islamophobia is one of the most virulent forms of hate speech, evident in attacks on Muslim lives, identity, and symbols, desecration of mosques, and curbs on religious freedoms. And in some places, Islamophobic Narrative and discourse have even entered into a symbiotic relationship with local power structures and vested interests. So in view of these aggravating challenges, we believe our response must be principled, resolute, and forward-looking. Pakistan is a firm defender of human dignity, equality, and freedom. We join member states to call for fully implementing relevant UNGA resolutions on hate speech and for implementation of UN strategy and plan of action on hate speech. We also appreciate the efforts of the High Representative, UN Alliance of Civilizations, to early finalize UN plan of action to combat Islamophobia. We believe that upon finalization, This document would complement the existing U.N. initiatives to combat all manifestations of hate speech. Pakistan shall continue its engagement with member states and U.N. to continue our fight against hate speech, which is a moral obligation to save our future generations and our cherished values and civilizations. I thank you.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Pakistan for his statements and now give the floor to the Chargé d'Affaires of Burundi.

Thank you very much for giving me the floor. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen. I would like to thank the Kingdom of Morocco and the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect for organizing this important event marking the 5th International Day for Countering Hate Speech. Burundi fully aligns itself with efforts aimed at promoting tolerance, mutual respect, intercultural dialogue, and peaceful coexistence among people and nations. Today, hate speech remains a very serious challenge to our collective aspiration for peace, human dignity, and social cohesion. It fuels discrimination, deepens divisions, undermines trust, and in its most dangerous form can contribute to violence and atrocity— and atrocity in crimes. The rapid evolution of digital technologies and communication platforms has amplified both the reach and impact of hateful narratives, making our response more urgent than ever. The theme chosen for this year's commemoration, the power of partnership in countering hate speech, is particularly timely. No government, institution, or organization can effectively address this challenge alone. Combating hate speech requires a whole-of-society approach based on cooperation among governments, international organizations, educational institutions, religious and traditional leaders, civil society, the private sector, media professionals, and youth themselves. Burundi firmly believes that prevention begins with education, dialogue, and the promotion of shared values. Building resilient societies requires fostering a culture of respect for diversity, encouraging critical thinking, and creating spaces where differences can be discussed peacefully and constructively. We also recognize the important role of community leaders, faith-based organizations, and local actors in preventing the spread of hate and strengthening local cohesion. Their proximity to communities often enables them to detect tensions early and promote messages of tolerance and reconciliation. Burundi's experience offers a concrete example of of its commitment. Through its Truth and Reconciliation Commission, establishing to address the tragic events of 1972 and other periods of violence, Burundi has undertaken a courageous national process of truth-telling, acknowledgment, and healing. The commission's work has shed light on historical injustice, given voices to the victims and survivors, and laid the groundwork for genuine reconciliations. The process demonstrates that confronting hate speech and its most extreme consequences, including mass atrocities, requires honesty, institutional commitment, and the active participation— and active participation of all communities. Burundi shares this experience as a contribution to the international community's collective effort to prevent hatred from ever again translating to violence. At the international level, enhanced cooperation and partnership are essential to develop practical tools, exchange good practices, strengthen digital literacy, and address the harmful effects of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech online. Our collective response must uphold human rights while fostering inclusive and respectful public discourse. As a country that values dialogue, unity, and peaceful coexistence, Burundi remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote mutual understanding and prevent all forms of hatred, discrimination, and intolerance. I thank you.

I thank the Chargé d'Affaires of Burundi for his statement. And now I give the floor to the DPR of Qatar.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, Ambassador Amr Hilal. The State of Qatar expresses its appreciation for convening this high-level event to mark the 5th International Day for Countering Hate Speech, an important occasion through which we reaffirm our shared commitment to addressing one of the most pressing challenges that negatively affects the cohesion, inclusiveness, and stability of peaceful societies. On this important occasion, the State of Qatar reiterates its its firm commitment to combating hate speech in all its forms and manifestations, including those proliferated in unprecedented ways in the digital space. In this regard, we believe that addressing hate speech should not be limited to condemnation or preventative measures alone, but rather requires a comprehensive approach based on strengthening partnerships and building alliances among governments, the United Nations system, civil society, and the private sector. As countering this phenomenon is a collective responsibility that no single actor can shoulder alone. From this perspective, the importance of enhancing regional and international cooperation to combat hate speech and intolerance is underscored. In line with obligations under international human rights law and international human rights instruments, in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which ensures the balance between protecting freedom of expression and safeguarding human dignity. Mr. Chair, this commitment is reflected in Qatar's role in mediation and peaceful settlement of disputes, as well as its support for international initiatives aimed at promoting intercultural and interreligious dialogue as an effective tool for addressing the root causes of division and fostering understanding among peoples. In this context, Qatar has placed particular emphasis on fostering a culture of dialogue and coexistence through support for institutions and initiatives dedicated to promoting mutual understanding among peoples and cultures. The Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue, through its various programs and activities, contributes to promoting a culture of dialogue and mutual respect and countering manifestations of extremism and isolation, thereby supporting efforts to build more inclusive and tolerant societies. In this regard, Qatar National Vision 2030 serves as the foundational framework guiding Qatar's efforts to build a cohesive and inclusive society grounded in the values of tolerance and openness and respect for cultural and religious diversity. Qatar's Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030 further translates this vision into practical programs and initiatives that promote human and social development and reinforce the principles of coexistence and mutual respect. From this standpoint, we call for intensified efforts to promote a culture of acceptance and others and respect for diversity to address the root causes of intolerance and discrimination through strengthened legislation and legal frameworks to combat hate speech. In this regard, we refer to Law No. 14 of 2014 and its amendments, most recently Law No. 11 of 2025. In conclusion, Mr. Chair, the State of Qatar reaffirms its commitment to multilateral action within the framework of the United Nations and underscores the necessity of of building and strengthening partnerships at all levels to combat hate speech and eradicate intolerance in all its forms. Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I thank the DPR of Qatar for his speech, and I give now the floor to the representative of Spain.

Mr. Chair, Ambassador Ilali, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, Spain thanks the Permanent Mission of Morocco and the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and Responsibility to Protect for convening this event. I also want to mention in this framework the work of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, and in particular of Under-Secretary-General and High Representative Miguel Ángel Moratinos. Hate speech is a whole-of-society threat, so it demands, as has been said before me. A whole of society responds. As has also been said today, hate speech rarely remains in words. It can climb from stereotypes and prejudice to dehumanization, discrimination, and violence, and, at its summit, to atrocity crimes. Today, much of that escalation begins online, And while the cost of spreading hatred has fallen to a single click, it has become profitable. It generates revenue. Hate is a product that can be monetized. That is why the digital environment, which has been extensively mentioned today, cannot be treated as a space beyond rules. And that is why, under the leadership of President Sánchez, Spain is building a concrete response based on partnerships and structured around 3 priorities. First, measurement. We have a hate and polarization footprint tool called ODIO, by its Spanish acronym, and it measures trends around— across the main platforms every 2 years. Second, cooperation. We work closely with online platforms, and our National Observatory for Xenophobia uses a system called Faro to detect racist and xenophobic hate speech in real time, and it reports directly to platforms. Platforms. In April, platforms removed more than half of the content reported. So the approach of cooperation is more or less working. The first International Forum Against Hate, held in Madrid last March, was joined by authorities, companies, experts, and people targeted by hate around the same table. Because we believe policies are stronger when those affected helped to shape them. And third and finally, accountability and prevention. Platforms must be transparent and accountable for illegal content. The balance must be clear, protecting freedom of expression while acting decisively against incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence, because countering hate must never become a pretext for silencing dissent. I want to conclude by saying that hate is not born on its own. It is cultivated. But so are trust, coexistence, and solidarity. Spain will remain a committed partner in cultivating them on our screens, in our streets and in our schools. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Spain and I give the floor to the representative of Bahrain.

Thank you, Ambassador. Mr. Chair, the Kingdom of Bahrain extends its appreciation to the Kingdom of Morocco and to His Excellency Ambassador Omar Hilal for organizing this high-level meeting to commemorate the 5th International Day for Countering Hate Speech under the theme "The Power of Partnerships and Countering Hate Speech. We welcome the remarks delivered on behalf of His Excellency the Secretary-General and the video statement of the President of the General Assembly. We also express our appreciation to the senior UN officials and the briefers for their valuable remarks. Mr. Chair, the commemoration of this International Day is an important occasion to renew our collective commitment to confronting intolerance, discrimination, and incitement, particularly in light of the expansion of the digital space and the growing influence of digital platforms. Guided by the royal vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Bahrain had advanced a national approach rooted in tolerance, religious and cultural diversity, and interfaith dialogue, reflected in the Kingdom of Bahrain's Declaration on Freedom of Religion and Belief, the King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence, Tolerance, and the King Hamad Award for Peaceful Coexistence and Tolerance. It was further affirmed by Guinness World Records' recognition of the Kingdom of Bahrain as the country with the highest density of places of worship for different religions in the world. In this regard, we also would like to recall the royal initiative launched by His Majesty the King during the General Assembly of the Interparliamentary Union held in Bahrain in 2023, calling for an international convention to criminalize religious, sectarian, and racial hate speech and prevent the misuse of media and digital platforms to incite tolerance, extremism, and terrorism. This commitment is further reflected in Bahrain's General Assembly initiative on the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence adopted pursuant to Resolution 79/269. In conclusion, Mr. Chair, the Kingdom of Bahrain reaffirms its Ukraine's continued support for regional and international efforts to counter hate speech and promote tolerance, coexistence, and human partnership. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Bahrain, and now I give the floor to the Permanent Representative of Armenia, Rev. Kloser.

Thank you, thank you very much, distinguished Ambassador. I would like to thank the Kingdom of Morocco and the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and Responsibility to Protect for convening this important event marking the 5th International Day for Countering Hate Speech. The growing prevalence of hate speech speech, particularly when targeting ethnic and religious groups, continue to create fertile ground for discrimination and human rights violations. Particularly alarming is the deliberate use of such rhetoric by state officials and public figures to inflame tensions, deepen divisions within and among societies, and create conditions conducive to xenophobia, radicalization, and in the most severe cases, atrocity crimes. In today's highly interconnected information environment, digital platforms and artificial intelligence have significantly amplified the reach and impact of such narratives. Rapidly changing information and communication technologies make it imperative to develop regulatory frameworks anchored on fundamental human rights principles of prevention, as well as genuine multi- stakeholder partnerships, which are key to inclusive and rights-based solutions. Information is a good— global good. It is also a global tool that could be misused. The rule of law, access to justice, and redress are important prerequisites to fight hate, propaganda violence, disinformation, and targeting of individuals and groups. They're also fundamentally important for for drawing delicate lines between freedom of speech, opinion, and expression, and dissemination of hate. We believe that combating hate speech requires broad and inclusive partnerships. Government, international organizations, civil society, academia, private sector, all have an important role to play in advancing prevention efforts and developing practical tools to counter hate speech. At the same time, we recognize that combating hate speech requires more than legal and institutional measures, and we try to implement those in Armenia. Education remains one of the most effective tools for promoting respect for diversity and culture of dialogue while countering intolerance, xenophobia, and hatred. It is in this spirit that Armenia initiated the General Assembly resolution entitled "Education for Peace," adopted by consensus with around 100 countries co-sponsors earlier this month with the aim of strengthening global efforts to harness the transformative potential of education in advancing peace, non-violence, and the development of peaceful societies. Mr. Chair, we attach particular importance to the role of the United Nations in monitoring and analyzing hate speech and its underlying drivers, including through enhanced data collection and other preventive efforts in line with the United Nations strategy and plan of action on hate speech. To conclude, Armenia reaffirms its commitment to international efforts aimed at countering hate speech as an integral part of the broader prevention agenda. I thank you.

I thank the Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Armenia for his speech. I give the floor now to the representative of Türkiye.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair, Your Excellency. We would like to thank the Kingdom of Morocco and the Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect for organizing this timely event. We would also like to extend gratitude to the panelists for sharing their endeavors in countering hate speech. Today, hate crimes, racism, xenophobia, hatred against Islam, and antisemitism have reached unprecedented levels. Harmful narratives rapidly spread through digital platforms, often amplified by misinformation and disinformation. They have a chilling effect on not only on the target group but also the entire society, and they threaten democracy, public order, and peaceful coexistence. Such trends erode the very fabric of cohesion, deepen mistrust and grievances, and threaten international peace and security. In line with the theme of this year's event, as well as UN strategy and plan of action underscoring the power of partnerships in the fight against hate speech, we would like to highlight the role of UN Alliance of Civilizations. In 2005, together with Spain, we launched the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations to promote our shared humanity based on diversity, mutual respect, and understanding in face of rising hatred. Since then, the Alliance has become one of the United Nations' leading platforms for fostering dialogue, promoting mutual understanding, combating discrimination and hate speech. We are pleased to see the significant progress achieved by the Alliance in terms of the scope of its activities, as well as its supporters and outreach. Through its action plans, It has taken concrete actions with a view to creating a basis for a harmonious and peaceful living together. Thus, the Alliance has become one of the best practices to the power of partnerships in countering hate speech. We will continue to extend our strong support to the values and the work of this initiative. Excellencies, Islamophobia remains one of the most troubling manifestations of hate speech. Turkey is contributing to the joint initiatives combating hatred against Islam, such as the adoption of the OIC resolution by the UN General Assembly, which designated March 15th as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. We are also concerned by the increasing tendency to target migrants through hate speech and to portray them as scapegoats for a wide range of social challenges. As a country that has endorsed the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, Türkiye voiced these concerns during the International Migration Review Forum held in May. We also contributed to securing commitments in the progress declaration aimed at eliminating hate speech and hate crimes against migrants. We hope that these commitments will be fully implemented in the period ahead.

Mr.

Chair, as a country where different cultures, faiths, and traditions have coexisted for hundreds of years, Turkey is committed to actively contribute to partnerships in combating hate speech in all its forms, including Islamophobia. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Turkey for her speech. Thank you for your speech, and I give the floor to the representative of India.

Thank you, Chair. We thank the Permanent Mission of Morocco for convening the high-level meeting to commemorate the 5th International Day for Countering Hate Speech. The commemorative event comes at a moment of profound urgency. Hate speech targeting individuals and community on grounds of nationality, gender, race, ethnicity, and religion is eroding social cohesion, threatening democratic institutions, and even fueling conflict. Its rapid amplification through digital platforms, particularly through artificial intelligence, has made combating it more complex and more critical. Information overload has resulted at times in the very inability to separate truth from AI-generated fiction skillfully leveraged by non-state actors.— elements to destabilize societies and countries. A step towards recognizing this concerning trend was the adoption of A/RES/75/309 in the UNGA, which proclaimed 18 June as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. The UN strategy and plan of action developed soon after provides a broad framework towards combating hate speech. Speech. Chair, India's legal architecture reflects deep commitment to respect diversity and pluralism in all walks of life. The Bharatiya Nayashaheeta, India's penal code, provides a carefully calibrated framework with specific provisions to criminalize promotion of enmity between groups and deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings. It also criminalizes the publication of content promoting communal hatred, provisions of acute relevance in the digital age. Together, these provisions balance the constitutional guarantee of free expression under Article 19 with firm protections against incitement and hate. Recognizing the misuse of digital technology to spread hate speech, India's Information and Technology Rules mandate social media platforms to enforce strict content standards and grievance redressal frameworks. Under due diligence guidelines, platforms must inform users not to host or share content that is harmful, harassing, blasphemous, defamatory, or racially and ethnically objectionable. Platforms are required to appoint a grievance officer, acknowledge complaints within 24 hours, resolve them with strict time frames, and critically enable the identification of the first originator of information in cases threatening public order. Complementing this, the News Broadcaster and Digital Association of India has institutionalized self-regulatory mechanisms requiring broadcasters to monitor and avoid hate speech content. Where violations occurs, the association can direct content takedowns, mandate public apologies, or impose fines. These partnership models between the state media and technology platforms embody precisely the practical multi-stakeholder approaches the UN strategy advocates. Mr. Chair, ultimately, the deepest and most durable defense against hate speech lies in education, the cultivation of critical thinking, promotion of mutual respect, and the wholehearted acceptance of diversity and pluralism. Democracy, democracy at its core is built on the premise that diversity is a strength rather than a threat. India's plural democratic tradition forged across centuries of coexistence between faiths, languages, and cultures remains its most powerful instrument for countering hatred and building peaceful, just, and inclusive societies. I thank you, Chair.

I thank the representative of India, and I give the floor now to the representative of Kuwait.

Mr.

Chair, at the outset, the State of Kuwait extends its appreciation to the Kingdom of Morocco and the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and Responsibility to Protect for organizing this important event marking the 5th International Day for Countering Hate Speech. We also commend Morocco's continued leadership in advancing this agenda within the United Nations. The theme of this year's commemoration, The Power of Partnership, Encountering Hate Speech is particularly timely at a moment when societies are increasingly interconnected through digital technologies and social media platforms. Hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation can spread across borders with unprecedented speed and reach. Their harmful effects extend far beyond the virtual sphere, contributing to polarization, discrimination, social fragmentation, and in some cases, incitement to violence and conflicts. Kuwait firmly believes that combating hate speech requires a comprehensive and inclusive approach involving, involving governments, international organizations, religious institutions, civil society, academia, media organizations, youth, and the private sector. No single actor can effectively address this challenge alone. Partnerships founded on mutual trust, shared responsibility, and respect for human rights are indispensable to preventing hateful narratives from taking root and spreading within our societies. Mr. Chair, recent years have witnessed an alarming rise of manifestation of religious hatred and intolerance around the world, including attacks against places of worship, desecration of sacred symbols, and acts targeting individuals on the basis of their religion or belief. Such actions not only offend the dignity and convictions of millions of people, but also threaten social cohesion and peaceful coexistence among communities. Kuwait remains deeply concerned by the persistence of Islamophobia and other forms of religious intolerance that seek to marginalize and stigmatize individuals because of their faith. In this regard, Kuwait reiterates the freedom of expression is a fundamental right that must be protected. At the same time, must never be exploited or justified incitement of discrimination, hostility, or violence. The international community must continue to promote responsible discourse that uphold human dignity while fostering mutual respects and understanding among peoples and cultures. Kuwait has long supported initiatives aimed to promoting interreligious, interreligious, and intercultural dialogue as effective tools for preventing extremism, intolerance, and hatred. We believe that education remains one of the most powerful means of addressing the root causes of hate speech. Educational systems should cultivate critical thinking, digital literacy, respect for diversity, and an appreciation of the values of tolerance and coexistence. We also recognize the growing responsibility of digital platforms and technology companies in addressing the spread of hateful content online. As emerging technologies continue to transform the global information environment, stronger cooperation between governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector is essential. Such partnerships should seek to ensure that technological advancement contribute to social cohesion and understanding while preventing the misuse of digital spaces to amplify hatred and incitement. Mr. Chair, as we commemorate this International Day, Kuwait renews its commitment to working with all partners to build more inclusive, tolerant, resilient societies. Let us strengthen our collective efforts to promote dialogue over division, understanding over prejudice, and respect over hatred in pursuit of a more peaceful and harmonious world for present and future generations. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the representative of Kuwait, and I give now the floor to the last speaker, Representative of Azerbaijan.

Excellency, Mr. Moderator, let me begin by thanking the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide for organizing this timely event. Azerbaijan is a co-sponsor of General Assembly Resolution 75/308, which proclaimed 18 June as the International Day for Countering AIDS Hate Speech, an initiative led by the Kingdom of Morocco. As stressed in the Secretary-General's message on this occasion, hate speech is the first step down the path of dehumanization. Hate speech can be rooted in racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, which affront human dignity, constitute serious violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and impede equal opportunities for the realization of all human rights. It is deeply disturbing that such manifestations continue to persist and are resurging at increasing levels in many parts of the world. Mr. Moderator, racial prejudices, driven by intolerance and ideologies of racial superiority, continue to pose a serious threat to human lives and have the potential to undermine reconciliation efforts in post- conflict settings. Such prejudices are frequently perpetuated through educational materials, distortion of historical facts, dissemination of hostile narratives and stereotypes, and fostering within society, including youth and children, an image of a particular national or ethnic group as enemy. A holistic approach is therefore essential to addressing hate speech and strengthening the nexus between education and peace, rather than relying solely on symbolic initiatives. At the same time, as part of their positive obligations, States should explicitly condemn and prohibit groups or organizations that promote and incite racial discrimination, which is often preceded by hate speech, and should recognize participation in such organizations, groups, or activities as punishable offenses under their national law. International cooperation and effective national measures aimed at promoting intercultural dialogue can contribute significantly to achieving tangible results in addressing the harmful consequences of hate speech. In this regard, Azerbaijan is the initiator and host of the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue within the framework of the Baku Process, launched in 2008. The 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue will be held in Baku this October, under the theme "Dialogue for Shared Future: Building Bridges in a Fractured World." The forum aims to promote intercultural dialogue and social inclusion for sustainable peace and development, through participation of a broad range of stakeholders. In conclusion, Azerbaijan remains steadfast in contributing to global efforts to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, often accompanied by hate speech, with a view to fostering an environment of tolerance, empathy, mutual understanding, and inclusiveness.

Thank you.

I thank the representative of Azerbaijan, and I give the floor to the representative of Saudi Arabia. You have the floor, sir.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, at the outset, my delegation expresses its sincere appreciation to the Kingdom of Morocco for organizing this important high-level event titled "The Power of Partnerships in Countering Hate Speech." This timely initiative reflects Morocco's steadfast commitment to strengthening international cooperation in addressing one of the most pressing global challenges of our time. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remains deeply concerned by the alarming rise of Islamophobia worldwide, including the increasing normalization of anti-Muslim rhetoric, discrimination, and attacks on religious sites and symbols. Such manifestations of hatred not only violate fundamental human rights but also threaten social harmony and global stability. The Kingdom stressed that targeting individuals or communities on the basis of their religion is unacceptable and must be confronted with the same determination as all other forms of hatred. Hate speech, whether online or offline, fuels polarization, undermines social cohesion, and in its most dangerous manifestations lays the groundwork for atrocity crimes, including genocide and ethnic cleansing. Countering hate speech is therefore not only a moral obligation but a critical pillar of global peace and security. Under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed tolerance, moderation, and coexistence at the center of its national vision and also in its international engagement priorities. In this context, Saudi Arabia has undertaken a wide range of initiatives, including hosting the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Global Forum in 2025, which advanced intercultural dialogue and collective action against extremism and hate speech. The Kingdom also supports the UN strategy and plan of action for hate speech. Excellencies, Saudi Arabia continues through King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue to promote dialogue-based approaches to countering hate speech and resolving conflict. The Kingdom also invests heavily in education and youth engagement, including through national curricula and global initiatives that promote digital literacy and respect for culture and religious diversity. The Kingdom underscores that freedom of expression must never be misused to justify hatred, discrimination, or the denigration of religions and sacred symbols. As we observe this On this International Day, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reaffirms its unwavering commitment to promoting dialogue among civilizations, countering all forms of hate speech, preventing incitement to violence, and strengthening global partnerships to uphold peace, dignity, and mutual respect. Thank you so much.

I thank the representative of Saudi Arabia for his speech. And we end for the time being the list of speakers for this morning, and I give the floor back to the Secretary-General's Special Adviser.

Please, Mayemi. Thank you very much, Excellency Ambassador Hilale, for presiding over the remarks by the Permanent Representatives. Assembled here, I'll offer a few closing remarks in order to bring this event to an end. I think we have heard overwhelmingly that at its essence hate speech is intended to intimidate, dehumanize people, individuals, communities based on their identity, including gender, that it is discriminatory in character. It is targeted, which ranks as the worst form of humanity. Why, despite our collective efforts, hate speech continues unabated? Our Excellency Moratinos asked the question, which is related to the question asked by the Special Envoy of Norway, what are the barriers? I think the barriers partly lie in that question. We have not had permanent partnerships. The approaches have been ad hoc, they've been fluid, and they've been transitory. And in this forum, delegate speakers identified that the theme of partnerships is timely. Therein lies the answer, the power of partnerships, which should translate into action by states, international organizations, tech companies, academia, and civil society to make partnerships permanent. We've also heard that there's a moral ethical responsibility, international obligations against hate speech, and that we should amplify our voices against it through awareness, education, and other measures, in particular collaborative networks shared spaces, mouthstake fora, in order to forge our efforts against hate speech. The role of AI has been identified that it should be a force for good rather than a negative force in countering hate speech. It filters into our shared domains, and therefore the importance of regulation through cyber laws and other measures going beyond law, and also the importance of AI digital care of duty, the breach of which would entail responsibility and accountability. There's been a rallying call, vigilance, and standing up to the scourge of hate speech collectively to safeguard the fabric of our shared humanity and social cohesion, which underscores the very essence of prevention measures. That hate speech, incitement to hatred, is an indicator of the risk of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing. If hate is cultivated, so is genocide. It is planned and it is executed. Early warning, early action should be aimed at preventing the cultivation of that speech, the planning and execution of genocide. That is our collective responsibility. Thank you very much.