Address by Kirill Logvinov at the Group of Friends High-Level Meeting of the UN Alliance of Civilizations

Address by Kirill Logvinov, Director of the Department of International Organizations of the MFA of Russia at the Group of Friends High-Level Meeting of the UN Alliance of Civilizations

📍 New York, September 26, 2025

💬 Kirill Logvinov: 

Ladies and gentlemen,

Your Excellences,

Russia is convinced that dialogue among cultures, religions and civilizations must be advanced in every possible way. This belief is based on our own historical experience. Russia has been shaped by different cultures, religions, and national ethnic minorities. In our country, religious antagonism is non-existent. We have put in place all the necessary preconditions for the development of inter-religious dialogue, cooperation between religious and government entities. Efficient efforts have been undertaken to counter the manifestations of religious extremism and radicalism.

Today, the architecture of international relations is undergoing major transformations with a clear trend towards the establishment of a multipolar world order. We are witnessing the emergence of new hubs of political and economic power throughout the Global South. These countries call for greater respect of their legitimate national interests and aspire to have more leverage on global processes. They are entitled to have their civilizational and cultural identity to be respected by other international actors.

However, the formation of an equitable and fair international system has been quite problematic. It is characterized by such negative trends as growing turbulence, acute deficit of trust and increased fragmentation among states, as well as by the reluctance of former colonial powers to relinquish their grip on the global decision-making processes.

This year, we celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in World War II. That great accomplishment of members of the anti-Hitler coalition that symbolically called themselves the United Nations was a true triumph of peace, humanism and justice. Yet, we still hear voices of those who advocate racial purity, ethnic supremacy, and elimination of “alien elements”. Those who collaborated with Nazis and committed war crimes continue to be presented as national heroes and members of national liberation movements. In some countries, the demolition of monuments to those who sacrificed their lives fighting against Nazis is now part of national policy.

Equally concerning are blatant violations of religious freedoms in many countries. A vivid example of such abhorrent practices is a modern-day situation in Ukraine. The authorities in Kiev are stepping up efforts aimed at «suffocating» the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). Such measures range from legal bans, property seizures, systematic searches, detentions, interrogations and arrests of clergy and believers. The culmination of such a policy was the law adopted on September 23, 2024 by the Kiev regime creating a legal basis for the prohibition of the UOC.

Russia believes that the UNAOC can make a tangible contribution to neutralizing the aforementioned negatives trends, de-politicizing the cultural and humanitarian area, restoring and maintaining wide-ranging contacts among public figures, religious leaders, civil society representatives, athletes and volunteers. We reaffirm our strong commitment to support the efforts of the Alliance as it marks its 20th anniversary and those undertaken personally by Mr. Miguel Moratinos, High Representative of Secretary General, and hope that the UNAOC will continue to pursue and expand its vital activities.

Thank you for your attention.