‘GREAT RELIGIONS HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN BUILDING PEACE’, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS

IN MESSAGE TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF ASIAN CONFERENCE OF RELIGIONS FOR PEACE

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the General Assembly of the Asian Conference of Religions for Peace, in Manila, Philippines, today, 17 October:

Let me extend my heartfelt congratulations on the opening of your General Assembly, under the theme of peacemaking in Asia.

Asia is the cradle of great religions that share noble values pursued by all humanity –- values such as mercy, justice and peace.  And yet, mankind has created so many conflicts in the name of religion.

That is why organizations like yours are so important.  I commend the Asian Conference of Religions for Peace for its commitment to bringing peace to Asia and the world as a whole.

And it is why the United Nations created the Alliance of Civilizations.  By working with a broad range of partners, in the United Nations and beyond the United Nations, the Alliance is addressing the conditions that allow extremism to fester, and helping to create the foundations for peace.

The Alliance brings together a great diversity of religious faiths and an array of different players:  Governments, philanthropists, corporations, the media, activists, academics and more.

All the great religions have a role to play in building peace.  You are all valuable partners of the United Nations in this endeavour.  In this spirit, I wish you a most productive Assembly.

Thank you very much.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record