During 19 - 20 November 2018, H.E. Mr. Chaisiri Anamarn, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in the 8th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States of America. Organised under the theme "Commit2Dialogue: Partnerships for Prevention and Sustaining Peace," the 8th  Global Forum was attended by official delegations from AOC member states and observer countries, participants from various sectors and UNAOC youth alumni. 

          On this occasion, the Advisor to the Minister delivered a statement in the UNAOC Group of Friends Ministerial Meeting, emphasising the importance of committing to dialogue and building partnership between different cultures, as well as respecting cultural diversity to build and maintain peace and social harmony.  He suggested that all countries should focus their efforts on encouraging youth and community to commit themselves to understanding and respecting diversity, promoting inclusive development alongside culture of peace, and ensuring that interfaith dialogue is in a constructive and respectful manner.

          The UNAOC was established in 2005, as the political initiative of the then- United Nations Secretary General (Mr. Kofi Annan) and co-sponsored by the Governments of Spain and Turkey.  The UNAOC works toward a more peaceful, more socially inclusive world, by building mutual respect among peoples of different cultural and religious identities, and highlighting the will of the world’s majority to reject extremism and embrace diversity.  

          Currently, UNAOC’s members comprise 119 states and 26 international organisations.  Thailand has joined UNAOC's Group of Friends since 2005 and has actively participated in UNAOC activities to reaffirm the importance Thailand attaches to respecting religious freedom and promoting cultural diversity and tolerance.