Following the launch of the league's conference at the United Nations: "Building Bridges of Understanding and Peace between East and West" The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr Antonio Guterres, received Sheikh Al-Issa and affirmed his full support for the work of the MWL. 

"Building Bridges" was launched by His Excellence at the UN Headquarters, with the participation of the United Nations Presidency and its General Secretariat, as well as the High Representative of the Alliance of Civilizations, and in the presence of senior international, religious, political and intellectual leaderships. 

The launch saw important collaboration between international and UN leaders as well as religious, intellectual and academic leaders. They declared in their speeches the urgent importance of this initiative, and their full backup and support for expanding its scope as part of the international institutional activity that is seen as pivotal to the peace and harmony of our world. 

They also asserted the importance of activating the initiative's ideas on the ground, including the suggestion of launching a global day for the Alliance of Civilizations between East and West, stressing the importance of respecting the religious and cultural identity of each society. Dr. Al-Issa praised the United Nations approach to dealing with religious issues around the world, and harnessing the provisions of its charter to bring about peace. His Eminence stated that an estimated 80 percent of people around the world respect religions and believe in the importance of their contribution to peace and harmony, and their role in encouraging coexistence among all people. 

Dr. Al-Issa warned against the danger of the discourse on conflict between East and West, and the division of the world into warring camps, calling on the countries worldwide to work for the success of the UN Charter. His Eminence's speech dealt with the dangers of the materialistic exploitation of religion, shedding light on the League's efforts towards the climate crisis, immigration and displaced individuals issues, and other pressing concerns in our world. 

On his part, the UN Secretary-General confirmed that there is misinformation surrounding Islam, and that social media sites have increased undue hatred. Mr Guterres said that religious leaders have a major role in supporting peace and harmony, stressing that religions are not the cause of wars in the world, but rather they bring people together. He pointed out that many civilizations remained while others have gone, but the clear vision that must be worked on is to bring people together to work with each other and resist efforts that do not want that.

The meeting between Mr Guterres and Dr Al-Issa covered a range of issues of common interest between the League and the United Nations, and opportunities for bilateral cooperation, in particular the discussion of the outputs and programs of the "Building Bridges of Understanding and Peace between East and West" initiative. 

Dr. Al-Issa stated: "The Secretary-General of the United Nations affirmed his full support for the work of the League, especially in promoting the values of moderation around the world. In fact, the international organization is working to combat Islamophobia and hatred of the other."