President Kaïs Saïed Receives High-Level Delegation at Carthage Palace
The President of the Republic, Kaïs Saïed, received the Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Isesco), Dr. Salim Ben Mohammad Al-Malik, and the United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations and UN Special Envoy for the fight against Islamophobia, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, at the Carthage Palace earlier this week. The meeting focused on several cultural and civilizational issues in a rapidly changing global context.
Key Takeaways from the Meeting
The Head of State emphasized the equality between nations and the need to abandon outdated concepts. He called for a "partnership based on universal human values and rejected any hostility between civilizations." The President stressed the primacy of justice and freedom at both national and international levels, denouncing distinctions between "civilized" and "barbaric" as colonial schemes. He also mentioned the emergence of a new global legitimacy centered on freedom, justice, and sustainable emancipation.
A New World Order in the Making
The reception of two high-ranking officials from international organizations engaged in intercultural dialogue takes place in a global context marked by unprecedented geopolitical fragmentation. As identity tensions multiply and even multilateral institutions struggle to adapt to a recomposing international order, the President's statement reaffirms the equality between civilizations and calls for overcoming outdated concepts.
A Shift in Global Power Dynamics
By reaffirming the equality between civilizations and calling for a move beyond outdated concepts, the Head of State is part of a trend driven by many Southern countries determined to rebalance global power dynamics. This discourse resonates with current discussions on reforming international institutions, particularly within the United Nations.
The United Nations' Reform Initiative
The UN has recently presented its strategy for one of its most ambitious systemic reforms in decades, with the presentation by Deputy Secretary-General Guy Ryder of the Action Plan for the UN80 Initiative, supported by Tunisia. This roadmap aims to deeply modernize the organization's functioning, rationalize its mechanisms, and strengthen its impact in the areas of peace, development, and humanitarian action.
Restoring Effectiveness and Coherence
As the UN system navigates a period of budgetary fragility and political contestation, this initiative seeks to restore effectiveness and coherence by grouping 87 priority actions to adapt the organization to a rapidly changing world.
Tunisia Advocates for Ethical and Equitable Multilateralism
In the face of resurgent cultural confrontation discourses and growing manifestations of discrimination, Tunisia defends a multilateralism refocused on ethics, justice, and mutual respect.
Combating Islamophobia and Promoting Intercultural Dialogue
Our country observes with concern the rise of anti-Islam actions in several regions of the world, often linked to the expansion of far-right movements. These trends translate into discriminatory policies, hate speech, and reinforce the urgency of intercultural dialogue and international initiatives to combat Islamophobia. The position advocated by the Head of State is an example of defending universal rights and promoting equality between peoples.
A New Global Legitimacy
By denouncing the logics of domination inherited from colonial history and evoking the emergence of a new international legitimacy, Tunisia supports the aspirations of many states that claim a more equitable world order.
Conclusion
In the face of a rapidly changing global order and rising identity tensions, Tunisia positions itself in favor of ethical and equitable multilateralism. By reaffirming the equality between nations, rejecting neocolonialist schemes, and calling for the primacy of justice and freedom, our country is part of a global dynamic aimed at building a new international legitimacy based on mutual respect and sustainable emancipation of peoples.
