Global Leaders Meet in Cascais for 10th UNAOC Forum
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is set to join UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Spain’s King Felipe VI in Cascais next week for the 10th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC). The high-profile event, scheduled from November 25 to 27, will bring together global leaders to address intercultural dialogue and conflict prevention.
A High-Level Opening Ceremony
According to a statement from the Presidency, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will deliver a keynote speech during the official opening ceremony on Tuesday, November 26. He will share the stage with António Guterres, King Felipe VI, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and Miguel Ángel Moratinos, the UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations.
The forum is expected to draw more than 1,000 participants over two days of discussions. The primary sessions will be preceded by a dedicated Youth Forum, highlighting the role of the next generation in global diplomacy.
Honoring the Legacy of Jorge Sampaio
A significant portion of the forum will pay tribute to the late Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio. Sampaio served as the first-ever UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations between 2007 and 2013, following the initiative’s formalization by then-Secretary-General Kofi Annan. President José Maria Neves of Cape Verde is among the dignitaries scheduled to speak at the memorial session.
Diplomacy on the Sidelines
The event will also serve as a hub for intensive bilateral diplomacy. President Rebelo de Sousa is scheduled to hold private meetings with King Felipe VI, President José Maria Neves, and Secretary-General Guterres to discuss shared international concerns.
To conclude the first full day of the summit, the Portuguese Head of State will host an official dinner for heads of delegations and high-level participants at the historic Cidadela Palace in Cascais.
About the Alliance of Civilizations
Co-sponsored by Spain and Turkey in 2004, the UNAOC was established to promote intercultural and interreligious dialogue while combating extremism. The mission focuses on conflict prevention through mutual understanding, a goal that remains central to the 10th Global Forum’s agenda in Portugal.
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