Portuguese President Warns of Global Selfishness at UNAOC
Amid a global climate defined by rising isolationism and “arrogance,” Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa issued a powerful call for international cooperation at the opening of the 10th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) on Tuesday.
Speaking at the Estoril Congress Center in Cascais, Rebelo de Sousa emphasized that the high-level meeting in Portugal comes at a critical juncture for humanity. He argued that the forum’s mission of promoting cross-cultural dialogue is more urgent than ever as nations grapple with internal and external divisions.
A World ‘Dominated by Selfishness’
In his opening address, the Portuguese head of state painted a stark picture of the current international landscape. “This urgency is especially relevant in a world that, once again, finds itself dominated by selfishness, arrogance, intolerance, and isolationism,” he stated.
Rebelo de Sousa championed the UN-led initiative as a necessary counter-narrative to the prevailing trends of exclusion. He advocated for a return to the foundational principles of the Alliance—inspired by UN Secretary-General António Guterres—which seeks to bridge divides and foster harmony among diverse cultures and religions.
High-Level International Presence
The 10th Global Forum brought together a significant assembly of world leaders and diplomats. Rebelo de Sousa welcomed several prominent figures, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, King Felipe VI of Spain, and President José Maria Neves of Cape Verde.
The UNAOC was established in 2005 as a political initiative of the UN Secretary-General, co-sponsored by the governments of Spain and Turkey. This year’s forum in Portugal serves as a major platform for heads of state and civil society leaders to address issues ranging from religious pluralism to the role of youth in preventing violent extremism.
Image: Pexels – Abraham Ruiz
