THE 11th Global Forum opened in Riyadh on Sunday with a direct message for a world torn by mistrust: dialogue is not a luxury – it is a survival strategy.

Over the next two days, participants gathered in the Saudi capital are expected to emphasize that cooperation across cultures, religions and communities remains the only viable way to navigate an era of increasing polarization and conflict.

Speaking at the opening session, UN Secretary-General António Guterres pushed back against the idea that the Alliance’s mission is unrealistic or, as critics suggest, “too soft for our difficult world.”

Those who view dialogue as naive, he warns, are mistaken. Diplomacy and cooperation, he said, are not optional, they are essential.

Two decades have passed since then-Secretary-General Kofi Annan launched the initiative in 2005 with the support of Spain and Turkey. The geopolitical landscape has changed dramatically since then, but the Alliance’s main goal remains constant: to combat extremism and intolerance and to help societies of different cultures and faiths live together in dignity.

The UN chief described the paradox of an era in which humanity is “more connected, but never more fragmented”, and described two divergent futures: one defined by fear, walls and escalating wars; and another built on bridges between cultures.

Only the second path, he stressed, leads to lasting peace: “No more October 7. No more Gaza destroyed. No more starving El-Fashers. No more communities massacred, expelled or designated as scapegoats.”

The Secretary-General highlighted three forces capable of bringing about positive global change: young people, women and girls, and people of faith. He urged delegates to advance the Alliance’s mission “with courage, clarity and hope.”

Riyadh communiqué: a call for coexistence

Countries participating in the Forum endorsed the Riyadh communiqué, which calls for making the fight against all forms of religious intolerance a global priority.

The document highlights the central role of education in promoting dialogue, human rights and peaceful societies, and reaffirms the founding objective of the Alliance: to strengthen cooperation between cultures and religions while promoting respect, mutual understanding and inclusion.

Equal voices, shared responsibility

UNAOC High Representative Miguel Moratinos, who is also the United Nations Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, opened the session by emphasizing that every culture must have an equal voice in shaping the future of the world.

No one perspective should dominate, he said; on the contrary, a truly peaceful and inclusive global community must draw on the wisdom and values ​​of all civilizations.

Mr Moratinos warned of “the return of hatred”, calling for vigilance in the face of increasing discrimination. Quoting a verse from KoranIn Surah Al-Hujurat, he emphasized that human diversity is a source of strength and not division.

He stressed that Islam is a religion of peace and reiterated that Islamophobia should have no place anywhere. At the same time, he insisted on the need to eradicate anti-Semitism, adding: “Legitimate criticism of governments should not be seen as anti-Semitic or as grounds for demonizing entire communities. »

Saudi Arabia’s message: focus on dialogue, don’t back down

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud reaffirmed the Kingdom’s “long-standing commitment to intercultural dialogue.” He said Saudi support for the Alliance reflects the firm belief that engagement across cultures and civilizations is essential for peace, cooperation and conflict prevention.

He highlighted several Saudi initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue and countering extremism and warned of the growing spread of religiously and nationally motivated extremist movements, as well as a worrying increase in hate speech and Islamophobia over the past two decades.

Rather than prompting disengagement, he said, these challenges must push nations to strengthen – not abandon – the values ​​of dialogue, communication and coexistence.

Representatives from Spain and Turkey, the Alliance’s original co-sponsors, also spoke, reaffirming the enduring importance of inclusion, mutual respect and sustained dialogue.

Deepfakes, hate speech and the push for regulation

The Forum’s opening day also focused attention on one of the fastest-moving challenges shaping today’s information landscape: AI-driven disinformation.

Speakers warned that deepfakes, algorithmically amplified hate speech and unregulated systems are already reshaping public debate – and not for the better.

Ismail Serageldin, co-chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and former vice president of the World Bank Group, said the use of artificial intelligence is now inevitable.

He urged the public not to fear new technologies, comparing the current moment to the invention of the calculator, when many predicted the end of the accounting profession.

“Instead,” he noted, “they adapted,” and he asserted that society would do the same today. With the right safeguards, he added, AI could even help people achieve a better work-life balance.

Mr. Serageldin went on to emphasize that AI will not replace humans, but that people who understand how to use it will gain a decisive advantage. Smart regulations must protect the public without stifling innovation or creativity, he explained.

Achraf Tasfaout, a data scientist working in the banking sector, warned that AI is accelerating the spread of hate speech and making it harder to distinguish between real content and deepfakes.

He called for clear rules that set boundaries for safe use while allowing new ideas to flourish. Policymakers and journalists, he said, have a crucial role to play in defending society. Additionally, young people, as the most active users of AI, will play a central role in creating solutions. He added that AI itself can be harnessed to counter many of the problems it creates.

Atif Rashid, editor-in-chief of Analyst Newswarned that AI systems are being released “too quickly,” often without essential security measures. He said it can feel like “humans are guinea pigs” in a global experiment, with regulations only being adopted after widespread public exposure.

Mr. Rashid cited examples in which AI has encouraged harmful behavior, which he called “AI psychosis,” and stressed that new systems must be designed to serve all of humanity, firmly rooted in human values.

Here’s how to follow the Forum:

The UN media team will be in Riyadh to cover the remainder of the Forum.

• UN News will cover the meeting and provide stories and interviews.
• Live and on-demand broadcasts will be available on WebTV.
• Broadcast-quality video packages and stories will be available on UNifeed.