Minister Elmedin Konaković is participating in the 11th Global Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations of the United Nations in Riyadh

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Elmedin Konaković is participating on December 14 and 15, 2025 at the 11th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in Riyadh, at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and the United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the United Nations Special Envoy for the Fight against Islamophobia Miguel Ángel Moratinos.

The eleventh UNAOC Global Forum is being held under the title "UNAOC: Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity: Advancing a New Era of Mutual Respect and Understanding in a Multipolar World."

Minister Konaković pointed out that dialogue among cultures, religions, and peoples is essential for Bosnia and Herzegovina, stressing that our country, due to its historical experience, understands firsthand the power of dialogue, but also the dangers arising from divisions. He especially emphasized the irreplaceable role of UNAOC in the past two decades in the promotion of peace, tolerance, and mutual understanding at the global level. He assessed that we live in a multipolar world - a world where different voices and perspectives shape global politics and culture. He reminded that Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society, sees its stability and future in accepting diversity, promoting reconciliation, and building an inclusive society in which every citizen has a sense of belonging. Such an approach, as he emphasized, is fully aligned with the basic principles and mission of UNAOC. At the same time, he warned that in Bosnia and Herzegovina, corrupt political elites are deliberately exploiting Islamophobia to protect empires built on corruption. He added that in the contemporary global climate, Islamophobia has become a convenient and efficient smoke screen, which diverts attention from the real problems: systemic corruption, abuse of power, and the decline of democracy. As an example, he cited the actions of the convicted former president of the BiH entity Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik, who often talks about alleged attacks by Muslims on Christians, while openly glorifying war criminals responsible for the murders and expulsions of Catholics from the Bosnian entity Republika Srpska, and through the machinery of his regime, persecutes and intimidates Serbs who refuse to submit to his reckless secessionist agenda - an agenda that is not designed to protect any nation or religion, but to protect his personal and political crime. He called on the international community to carefully monitor the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country where similar narratives, just over 30 years ago, led to genocide, mass murders, and other serious crimes.

At the end of his address, Minister Konaković expressed Bosnia and Herzegovina's full support for the vision of UNAOC and thanked the organizers and participants of the Forum for their continued commitment to strengthening mutual respect and understanding, stressing that only through the joint action of the international community can peace, tolerance, and dialogue become a permanent reality.

The forum in Riyadh was organized in an extremely challenging international environment, marked by deepening global divisions, increasing conflicts around the world, and weakening confidence in the effectiveness of the global governance system and multilateral institutions. The UN Alliance of Civilizations was founded in 2005, at the initiative of Spain and Turkey, and under the auspices of the United Nations. The main goal of the Alliance is to improve understanding and cooperation among cultures and communities worldwide.