Deputy Foreign Minister Ana Isabel Xavier underscores Portugal’s commitment to Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue at UNAOC Group of Friends meeting
On the occasion of the 11th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), held in Riyadh on December 14-15, 2025, Portugal’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ana Isabel Xavier addressed the UNAOC Group of Friends meeting to emphasize the essential role of interreligious and intercultural dialogue as path toward lasting and sustainable peace.
Deputy Minister Xavier took the opportunity to recall Portugal’s hosting of the 10th Global Forum of UNAOC in Cascais in 2024, which marked the 20th anniversary of the inception of the Alliance of Civilizations.
Reaffirming Portugal’s longstanding commitment to promoting understanding and cooperation among cultures, the Deputy Minister highlighted the Lisbon-based entities that actively seek to contribute to mediation, education, and the promotion of understanding globally — such as the Ismaili Imamat, the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe, and the International Dialogue Centre – KAICIID.
Deputy Minister Xavier also paid tribute to the legacy of former Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio, the first UNAOC High Representative, whose vision and leadership laid the foundations for dialogue, solidarity, and collaborative work that continue to shape the Alliance’s mission today.
