Bahrain Leads High-Level Event in Geneva to Promote Culture of Peace and Tolerance

TDT | Manama

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The Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations Office in Geneva, in partnership with the University for Peace (UPEACE), organized a high-level event under the theme: "Advancing a Culture of Peace: Progress Through Prevention, Dialogue, and Multilateral Diplomacy – Including Trade, Development, and Coexistence in Humanitarian Contexts."

The event was held in collaboration with the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the GIOYA Institute for Higher Education in Malta.

Ambassador Dr. Abdulla Abdullatif Abdulla, Bahrain’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, opened the event with remarks highlighting the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to promoting peace, cultural and religious diversity. He emphasized that this reflects the noble vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and is consistently implemented through the policies of the government under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Ambassador Abdulla also praised the UN General Assembly’s adoption of a resolution on March 4, 2025, to designate January 28 of each year as the International Day for Coexistence and Tolerance, an initiative spearheaded by the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence.

“Peace is not merely the absence of conflict – it is the presence of justice, development, and dialogue,” he said. “This is why Bahrain supports tangible programs that aim to achieve these goals, including the Joint Postgraduate Diploma in Coexistence, launched in partnership with UPEACE and GIOYA, and the Trade Diplomacy Program, which seeks to reduce economic disparities and foster inclusive growth as a pathway to peaceful coexistence through development.”

The event drew participation from permanent representatives in Geneva, international dignitaries, and academic figures. It served as a platform to share best practices in promoting peaceful coexistence, highlighting the role of education and diplomacy in building fairer, more peaceful societies.

Mr. Abdulla Isa Al Mannai, Executive Director of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence, and H.E. Ambassador Dr. David Fernández Puyana, Permanent Observer of the University for Peace, both delivered key interventions stressing the importance of enhancing education on coexistence and tolerance.