The International Dialogue Centre - KAICIID and the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide (UNOSAPG) renewed their formal framework of cooperation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at United Nations Headquarters, formalising a framework for cooperation that links KAICIID's interreligious dialogue expertise on ground with efforts to prevent genocide and related crimes, as well as incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.

At a time when conflicts are becoming more prolonged, identity-based violence is rising, and hate speech continues to fuel polarisation across regions, effective prevention requires coordinated, multi-stakeholder action. Early warning, community trust and inclusive dialogue are increasingly recognised as essential complements to diplomatic and security-based approaches. Strengthening synergies between the United Nations system and actors working at the community level is therefore critical to protecting human dignity and preventing atrocity of crimes.

The agreement sets out structured collaboration on training, knowledge exchange and joint convenings. It prioritises support to the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech and to the Plan of Action for Religious Leaders and Actors to Prevent Incitement to Violence. The partners will develop learning modules, organise reciprocal exchanges of trainers, and subject-matter experts, and convene briefings that connect UN policy processes with insights from dialogue networks.

Quotes
Acting Secretary General, KAICIID
“This renewed partnership will strengthen prevention by linking UN analysis with trusted dialogue networks on the ground that KAICIID works with daily through it's regional programmes worldwide. Together, we will expand practical tools that help leaders counter the incitement of discrimination and protect communities,” said António de Almeida Ribeiro, Acting Secretary General of KAICIID.

UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide
“Engaging religious and community actors is essential to prevention. This agreement provides a clear framework to exchange expertise, build capacities, and advance the implementation of UN plans of action.”
- Dr. Chaloka Beyani, Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide

KAICIID and UNOSAPG have long collaborated, beginning with the Fez Process and a series of regional consultations that contributed to the Plan of Action for Religious Leaders and Actors to Prevent Incitement to Violence that Could Lead to Atrocity Crimes. Recent cooperation globally and UN level in New York included the organisation of joint roundtables, creating spaces for exchange between UN officials, Member States and civil society actors on the preventive role of dialogue to counteract the abuse of religion to justify oppression, violence and conflict. 

Last September on the margins of the 80^th session of the UN General Assembly  co-organized the side event “Keeping Faith in Dialogue: Reimagining Interreligious Cooperation for a New Agenda for Peace”, co-organized by KAICIID and the Multi-Faith Advisory Council (MFAC) to the UN Inter-Agency Taskforce on Religion and Sustainable Development, in cooperation with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Office of the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide (OSAPG), Religions for Peace (RfP) and co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Austria, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Republic of Portugal. 

On 28 January 2026, Dr. Chaloka Beyani also contributed to the “Interreligious Approaches for Peaceful Coexistence”, which also commemorated the first time the day for International Day of Peaceful Coexistence is celebrated. Co-organized by KAICIID and the Permanent Mission of Austria and co-sponsored by KAICIID's Council of Parties Member States, namely the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Spain and host country, Portugal. Collaboration will also strengthen in the context of the Multi-Faith Advisory Council to the UN Interagency Task Force on Religion and Sustainable Development, where UNOSAPG is one of the UN Co-Chairs and KAICIID serves as member since 2018 and Co-Chair of the Gender Working Group since 2025.

Through this renewed partnership, KAICIID and UNOSAPG reaffirm that prevention is most effective when global frameworks are matched with local engagement, and when principles are translated into practice through trusted relationships. By strengthening cooperation between the United Nations system and interreligious dialogue actors, the two institutions aim to contribute to earlier, more inclusive, and more sustainable responses to the risks of violence and atrocity of crimes. At a moment when the cost of inaction is increasingly visible, this collaboration underscores a shared commitment to protecting human dignity and fostering peaceful coexistence through dialogue, cooperation, and collective responsibility.

 

About KAICIID
The International Dialogue Centre - KAICIID is an intergovernmental organization that promotes interreligious and intercultural dialogue to build social cohesion and reduce conflict. The Centre works with governments, multilateral bodies and dialogue platforms to turn shared values into practical cooperation.

About UNOSAPG
The UN Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide advises the Secretary-General and supports national and international efforts to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, including the prevention of their incitement. The Office advances early preventive action through analysis, advocacy, and engagement with UN entities, Member States, and civil society.