Delivered By: HE Mohamed Abushahab, Ambassador and Permanent Representative

Thank you, dear Ambassador Hilale.

Mr. Chair,

I would like to thank the Kingdom of Morocco and the UN Office on Genocide Prevention for organizing this important commemoration. I also commend Morocco for its leadership in advancing international efforts to address hate speech and thank the briefers for their valuable insights.

As we mark the fifth International Day for Countering Hate Speech, we are reminded that words have the power to unite, but also to divide.

Hate speech deepens polarization, erodes social cohesion, and contributes to conflict. Left unchecked, it can dehumanize entire communities and undermine the trust on which peaceful societies depend.

This threat is also evolving, becoming increasingly global and spreading at unprecedented speed. Extremists exploit digital platforms and emerging technologies to amplify hate speech, incitement, misinformation and disinformation, including through AI-generated content.

These developments reinforce a simple reality: No single actor possesses all the tools needed to address these challenges. It requires cooperation among governments, international organizations, technology companies, civil society, and communities themselves.

This is why the theme of today’s event, “the power of partnerships,” is so timely.

For the United Arab Emirates, tolerance is not merely a value; it is a strategic asset. Home to more than 200 nationalities, we have seen firsthand how peaceful coexistence leverages diversity as a strength.

The UAE has been actively engaged in efforts to confront the risks posed by hate speech, and as was mentioned by Ambassador Hilale, in 2023, together with the United Kingdom, we co-penned Security Council resolution 2686 on “Tolerance, Peace and Security,” which led to the Council recognizing, for the first time, that hate speech, extremism and related forms of intolerance can contribute to the outbreak, escalation and recurrence of conflict. The resolution calls for a whole-of-society approach and greater coherence across the UN system, recognizing that prevention is a shared endeavor.

To advance the Tolerance, Peace and Security agenda, in April of this year we launched the TPS Series in partnership with New York University. The Series stems from a simple observation: while much attention is rightly given to the harms caused by hate speech and intolerance, we must also deepen our understanding of the pathways for strengthening resilience against them. By bringing together Member States, UN entities, practitioners and academics, the Series seeks to develop a shared understanding of how tolerance can contribute across the peace continuum, and how it can be more effectively institutionalized and operationalized across the UN system and beyond.

The UAE remains committed to strengthening partnerships that advance tolerance and social cohesion as catalysts for security and prosperity.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.