New York: Europe and the Arabs
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos of Spain as the United Nations Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia.
In March 2024, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution entitled "Measures to Combat Islamophobia" during a meeting to mark the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. The resolution called for, among other things, the appointment of a UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia. According to the UN Daily News Bulletin, a copy of which we received Thursday morning, a statement issued by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General stated that Mr. Moratinos will continue in his current role as High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, noting that this dual role aims to leverage existing capacities and resources and integrate the tasks arising from the new mandate into an existing position.
Mr. Moratinos has led the Alliance of Civilizations since 2019, strengthening its role as a bridge for communication and a prominent global platform for dialogue. The statement explained that Mr. Moratinos worked closely with the United Nations during his diplomatic career in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, particularly as Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (2004-2010), during which his country held the Presidency of the Security Council and the Chairs of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of Europe, and the Council of the European Union.
A Strong Advocate of Multilateralism
As a minister, Mr. Moratinos was a strong advocate for effective multilateralism, the Alliance of Civilizations, and the Group of Friends of UN Reform. He contributed to the creation of innovative programs for development, healthcare, and women within the UN system, doubling his country's official development assistance.
Following his government tenure, Mr. Moratinos served in parliament (2010-2011), focusing on international action to combat hunger and poverty, and to promote food security and the right to food.
As a member of the Global Dryland Alliance team in Qatar in 2012, he promoted the International Treaty on Food Security and the Global Dryland Alliance International Treaty. Earlier in his diplomatic career, Mr. Moratinos served as Deputy Director-General for North Africa at the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1987-1991), Director of the Institute for Cooperation with the Arab World (1991-1993), and Director-General for Foreign Policy for Africa and the Middle East (1993-1996).
After serving as Spanish Ambassador to Israel (1996), the European Union appointed him Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process (1996-2003). In this role, Mr. Moratinos promoted peace agreements and implemented measures, on behalf of the European Union, to promote Arab-Israeli dialogue.
Mr. Moratinos studied law and political science at the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain, and then diplomatic studies at the Spanish Diplomatic School. Mr. Moratinos is fluent in Spanish, English, and French.