OMM Redaksiyası
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Group of Friends held a high-level meeting in New York on Saturday, bringing together representatives of Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), according to a written statement by TURKSOY.
The meeting was chaired by Miguel Angel Moratinos, the UNAOC high representative. Participants included Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Levent Gumrukcu, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Yalcin Rafiyev, Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev and Turkmenistan’s UN Ambassador Vepa Hajiyev.
Cultural diversity and preventive diplomacy
Gumrukcu, representing Türkiye as a co-sponsor of the UNAOC, said cultural diversity should be regarded as a source of strength rather than a threat. He stressed the importance of dialogue among civilizations amid rising intolerance and polarization.
Raev said cultural diplomacy was not only a complementary element of international relations but also a powerful instrument of preventive diplomacy. He cited wars, forced migration, hate speech and social polarization among the serious challenges facing the world.
He also underscored the need to protect cultural heritage and build mutual trust between societies to support lasting peace.
TURKSOY offers cooperation with UNAOC
Raev said wars destroy not only human lives but also the memory of cities, sacred sites, historical artefacts and the civilizational heritage built over generations.
“The humanitarian tragedy taking place in Palestine once again reminds us that protecting human life and cultural heritage is the shared responsibility of all humanity,” Raev said.
He said the shared cultural heritage of the Turkic world was integrated with universal human values, adding that TURKSOY had worked for more than 30 years to preserve, sustain and promote the common cultural heritage of Turkic peoples worldwide.
According to Raev, TURKSOY is ready to share its experience in cultural diplomacy with the UNAOC. He proposed potential joint projects involving youth exchanges, cultural dialogue programmes, literature and arts gatherings, the protection of shared cultural heritage and preventive diplomacy through culture.
Baku forum expected to support UNAOC efforts
Rafiyev said the seventh World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, scheduled to take place in Baku on Oct. 27-29, would make an important contribution to the UNAOC’s work.
Ashikbayev highlighted the importance of strengthening interfaith harmony and promoting a culture of peaceful coexistence.
Hajiyev stressed the role of dialogue, mutual respect and adherence to international law in preventing conflicts, adding that Turkmenistan was ready to further develop cooperation with the UNAOC.
