Secretary-General, Addressing Religious Liberty Conference, Calls Freedom of Religion ‘Cornerstone of Human Dignity’, Warns of Mounting Global Pressures

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres' message to the Conscience and Liberty 2026 Conference, held in Toledo, United States, today:

I am pleased to send my warm greetings to all those taking part in the Conscience and Liberty 2026 Conference, and extend my congratulations to the International Association for the Defence of Religious Liberty on its eightieth anniversary.

Freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief is a cornerstone of human dignity - and a litmus test. Where this freedom is respected, diversity can flourish. Where it is suppressed, fear, exclusion and violence too often follow.

Today, this fundamental freedom faces mounting pressure. We see it manifested in many ways - belief being manipulated to incite hostility; religious groups being targeted in the name of identity or security; and digital surveillance and artificial intelligence being deployed without sufficient safeguards for human rights.

These challenges require a renewed commitment to multilateralism, international law and dialogue across differences. They require defending the equal rights of all people - believers and non-believers alike.

Thank you once again for your commitment and best wishes for a successful conference. Together, let us keep working to reaffirm inclusion, pluralism, understanding and solidarity as guiding principles for a more just and peaceful world.