Alliance of Civilizations Pre-forum

Mr. Sampaio, High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations at the United Nations,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me to express my sincere thanks for the great efforts you gave to make this pre-forum a success.

I would also like to thank President Sampaio personally for his determination to move forward and achieve the points we have agreed upon for making the coming Forum in Doha in December 2011, a true turning point in the track of the Alliance of Civilizations which is in keeping in the new world in which we are living.

Today we have taken the first step in this direction and it is a major step towards realizing this goal.

However, the steps in front of us are no less important nor less difficult, and all of us - yourself, Mr. President, my work team and all our partners in the Focal Points Groups and Civil Society Organizations, must work with real perseverance and be more creative to make the December Forum the turning point we are all so eager to accomplish.

Today, with the presence of the Civil Society Organizations representatives, side by side with the Focal Points Groups representatives, we have begun to build the framework that complements all efforts and energies.

And so, the Alliance of Civilizations becomes effective and efficient in formulating a new approach for international relations.

The objective of the Pre-Forum was to create the opportunity to discuss an approach on how to link the Millennium Development Goals with the Alliance of Civilizations goals.

By focusing the dialogue on alliances in the following fields: education, media, youth and migration , it has enabled us to capture the positive points – and crucially - the difficulties and obstacles as well.

The recommendations of the Pre-Forum will be analyzed by the Drafting Committee and other experts in order to best build the structure of December Forum program to make it realistic in its aim of delivering an actionable agenda.

The recommendations will also be used to expand the international coalition supporting the Alliance.

Once again, I thank each and every one of you for the efforts exerted to open the door towards the turning point we are all aiming for with the track of the Alliance.

This turning point should help address the changes and turmoil we are witnessing in our region and in the world which are carrying winds of freedom, justice, equity, development and dignity.

This is what we in Qatar support, and aim at, by God’s will.

Thank you and may peace always be with you".

Thank You