UN Alliance Urges Youth to Reclaim Peace as Global Priority

Four young people get together at an art-focused group in northern Colombia.

In a world shaped by conflict and digital noise, the High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) has called on young people to make the 21st century the last in which humanity witnesses war.

Speaking ahead of the 11th Global Forum of the Alliance, set to open in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, Miguel Ángel Moratinos urged youth worldwide to reaffirm peace as a global priority.

A unique role

The Alliance is a leading UN platform for intercultural dialogue. As the forum marks 20 years since its creation, Mr. Moratinos reflected on how the world has changed over the past two decades.

When the Alliance was established in 2005 as an initiative of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the international order was largely unipolar.

Today, it is multipolar, with emerging powers in the Arab world, Asia, Africa and Latin America demanding to be seen and heard.

The Alliance, he said, is uniquely positioned to bring all voices to the same table.

Mr. Moratinos acknowledged that the world has become more complex, a challenge that requires deeper commitment to listening, dialogue and mutual understanding.

AI: opportunities and challenges

Among the most pressing issues he highlighted is artificial intelligence, a force he said will shape the future in profound ways, while also posing serious challenges.

“A machine has no concern for religion, faith or ethics — but humans do,” he said, stressing that AI must remain human-centred and guided by human values and decision-making.

He warned against the risk of people surrendering freedom and responsibility to machines, cautioning that technology cannot replace humanity’s moral compass.

Hate is back — and dangerous

Turning to another major concern, Mr. Moratinos spoke about the resurgence of hate speech, particularly online.

“Hate is back,” he said. “And hate makes you feel you must eliminate your counterpart.”

He warned that hate begins with words but can quickly lead to exclusion, violence and conflict. To counter this, the Alliance is investing in programmes that promote dialogue, counter-narratives and understanding, with young people at the centre of these efforts.

Today’s youth live much of their lives in virtual spaces, which he fears can distance them from real human connection.

“We have to bring realism back to the youth,” he said, urging a healthier balance between online engagement and real-life relationships, cultures and communities.

Peace must come first

Mr. Moratinos said the world has become overly focused on security while neglecting peace.

“Everybody is much more concerned about security than about peace,” he said. “But you will not get security without peace.”

Saving the planet, he added, is meaningless if humanity continues to destroy itself. Referring to the heavy human toll in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan, he said the world must refocus on saving humanity itself.

“Peace, with a capital P,” he said, should guide both the Riyadh forum and future generations.

He concluded that young people alone have the power to make this vision a reality and to ensure that the 21st century becomes the last scarred by war.