Proposal for an Interfaith Council at the United Nations
Advancing Social Integration and Equality through a Whole-of-Society Approach
Universal Peace Federation Calls for a United Nations Interfaith Council
The Universal Peace Federation (UPF), founded by Dr. Hak Ja Han and the late Dr. Sun Myung Moon, an NGO in General Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), extends its greetings to all participants of the Second World Summit for Social Development (SWSSD 2025), held in Doha from November 4 to 6, 2025.
Marking the thirtieth anniversary of the 1995 Copenhagen World Summit for Social Development, this gathering reaffirms the global commitment to dignity, equality, and solidarity as foundations of sustainable development, as enshrined in the three pillars: poverty eradication, full employment, and social integration. These principles remain vital as the world confronts widening inequality and social fragmentation.
Whole-of-Society Approach — A Framework for Sustainable Peace and Development
UPF emphasizes the need to move beyond sectoral divisions through a whole-of-society approach. This concept, central to the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, describes strategies that engage all societal sectors, government, private, civil, and faith-based, in achieving the SDGs through coordinated participation and accountability. It calls for inclusive governance that unites public institutions, civil society, academia, business, and faith communities, echoing SDG 17 on partnerships and shared accountability. UPF supports this by championing shared ethical values and the moral leadership necessary to build trust and cooperation among diverse actors.
Recent UN resolutions such as A/RES/78/178 and the UNESCO Social Inclusion Factsheet emphasize the importance of cultural dialogue and respect for diversity. They call for policies rooted in collaboration rather than competition, and for frameworks that harmonize material progress with moral development.
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Interfaith Dialogue as a Catalyst for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding
In this context, UPF renews its proposal for the creation of a United Nations Interfaith Council. Such a body would institutionalize dialogue among the world’s religions, offer moral and ethical perspectives for policymaking, and foster collaboration across traditions. First envisioned after the Millennium Summit of 2000, and formally proposed by UPF Founder Dr. Moon at UN Headquarters, the Council would provide a formal mechanism to integrate ethical perspectives into policy-making, mediate in conflict prevention, and foster social cohesion through interfaith collaboration.
From Copenhagen to Doha — Renewing the Commitment to Social Development
Through initiatives such as the Peace Road and the Middle East Peace Initiative, which has facilitated dialogues reducing sectarian tensions, UPF demonstrates that interfaith and cross-sector collaboration can produce tangible outcomes. Furthermore, UPF's family-strengthening seminars and leadership forums align with the Copenhagen Declaration's recognition of the family as a cornerstone of social stability and the primary school of empathy, responsibility, and coexistence.
The 2025 Summit in Doha presents a historic opportunity to translate interfaith understanding into durable institutional mechanisms for peace and social cohesion. By adopting a whole-of-society approach, world leaders can align governance, ethics, and education to build resilient communities. UPF calls upon the Summit to renew the Copenhagen legacy by endorsing the creation of a UN Interfaith Council, strengthening approaches that support the family as a fundamental unit of society; and championing a whole-of-society approach in national development strategies.
Dr. Tageldin Hamad
President, Universal Peace Federation
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