Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), called for integrating the principles and values of the Alliance of Civilizations into educational curricula, with the aim of nurturing generations that are aware of the culture of understanding and mutual respect. He proposed the launch of a comprehensive international initiative entitled “Alliance of Civilizations: From Values to Generations,” as a practical embodiment of applying the concept of dialogue in the real world among nations and peoples, in pursuit of a more balanced and harmonious world.

This came in his address during the 11th Session of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Forum, which commenced on Sunday, 14 December 2025, in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, as chairman, and in the presence of Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations; Mr. Miguel Moratinos, High Representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations; in addition to a number of ministers of foreign affairs, political and religious leaders, heads of international organizations, and representatives of civil society.

Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed that holding the Forum in Riyadh confers a special civilizational significance upon the event, noting that the Saudi capital has, in recent years, become a significant global civilizational actor that hosts international intellectual and humanitarian initiatives and embodies a conscious readiness for responsible contribution.

Furthermore, ICESCO Director-General noted that the concept of the Alliance of Civilizations is rooted in a profound human legacy, citing Hilf al-Fudul (the Alliance of the Virtuous) as an early model of an alliance founded on supporting the oppressed and entrenching justice. He emphasized that this inherited civilizational value remains capable of inspiring the present and shaping the future.

Dr. AlMalik further stated that today’s civilizational alliance is called upon to recalibrate its compass toward key domains, including education based on fairness and equality; responsible media characterized by effectiveness and credibility; positive migration as a lever for integration among peoples; and dialogue among cultures and religions in a manner that rejuvenates diversity and enhances the exchange of expertise and ideas.

Moreover, Dr. AlMalik participated in the seminar “Faith in Humanity: Interreligious Dialogue as a Bridge to Peace,” which was attended by a number of prominent religious, intellectual, and diplomatic figures. In his intervention, he underscored the importance of pausing at five pivotal stations that constitute the necessary framework for renewing interfaith dialogue and strengthening its impact in entrenching human peace. He stressed the need to move beyond traditional rhetorical approaches, to link faith-based values to shared human action, to establish trust among different religious groups, to strengthen the role of education and media in safeguarding human dignity, and to empower new generations to carry the message of faith as a force for peace and convergence.

Dr. AlMalik noted that ICESCO had contributed to paving the way for the Forum prior to its holding through the Tunis International Symposium on Supporting the Alliance of Civilizations. He emphasized that after twenty years of its launch, the UNAOC needs to review its tools and modernize its mechanisms in line with the communications technology revolution and the profound transformations in patterns of international conflict, particularly those related to resources.

He concluded by reaffirming that ICESCO will remain supportive of every civilizational effort aimed at entrenching human peace and justice, contributing to it through vision, expertise, and practical initiatives.