The proceedings of the Euromed University of Fez Forum on the Alliance of Civilizations 2026 were held on 27 and 28 April 2026 in the historic city of Fez, under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and jointly organized by Euromed University of Fez, the Muslim World League, the United Nations Chair on the Alliance of Civilizations, and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC).
This major international event, marked by a high academic profile and strong diplomatic stature, constituted a global, multi-dimensional platform for deep dialogue and strategic reflection on a subject of critical importance:
“The Future of Human Civilization in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.”
Participation and Global Dimension
The forum witnessed the participation of more than 2,100 participants representing 74 countries across all continents. Among them were senior governmental officials, distinguished diplomats, internationally renowned experts, leading academics, and representatives of United Nations institutions.
The event also saw the meaningful participation of over 1,400 young men and women, reflecting its global reach, cultural diversity, and intellectual richness.
Opening Session
During the opening session, Professor Abdelhak Azzouzi, President of the United Nations Chair on the Alliance of Civilizations and founding member of the Euromed University of Fez Board of Directors, together with Professor Mustapha Bousmina, President of Euromed University of Fez, and Mr. Mohammed Kabbaj, Chairman of the University’s Board of Directors and former minister and advisor, emphasized that this forum reflects a profound awareness of the need to frame major technological transformations within a comprehensive ethical and human-centered vision.
They stressed that artificial intelligence is no longer merely a technical tool, but a structural force reshaping human relations and civilizational models, requiring collective international mobilization to establish governance frameworks that ensure its service to humanity.
They further highlighted that the Alliance of Civilizations provides a reference framework for strengthening intercultural dialogue in the face of the challenges of the digital age, emphasizing that Fez, with its rich historical symbolism, remains an ideal space for such global reflection. They concluded that the success of humanity at this pivotal stage depends on its ability to reconcile technological innovation with human values, calling for an international system based on cooperation and shared responsibility.
Key Intervention – Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa
His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and President of the Muslim Scholars Association, delivered a profound intervention in which he emphasized that the world is experiencing a delicate historical phase marked by unprecedented technological acceleration.
He stated that artificial intelligence is no longer a mere technical instrument but has become a decisive factor in shaping human consciousness and societal values. This transformation, he argued, imposes a major ethical responsibility on decision-makers, scholars, and thinkers to ensure that this technology serves humanity and preserves human dignity.
He warned against the risks of uncontrolled AI use, particularly in spreading hate speech, misinformation, and cultural fragmentation. He stressed that the absence of ethical frameworks could lead to serious destabilization of societies.
He called for the establishment of a global ethical system based on shared human values across civilizations, ensuring responsible technological use. Religious and intellectual institutions, he added, must actively engage in this debate by developing balanced discourses that accompany digital transformation without compromising foundational principles.
He also underscored the strategic importance of the Alliance of Civilizations as a tool for strengthening international understanding and cooperation. Concluding, he affirmed that technology remains a tool in human hands, making ethical responsibility a collective duty. The future of humanity, he insisted, depends on achieving a balance between technological innovation and moral guidance, ensuring justice and equity.
Interventions of High-Level Speakers
André Azoulay
Advisor to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, emphasized that Fez symbolizes historical civilizational coexistence, and that today’s digital transformations must draw on this heritage to promote intercultural dialogue. Artificial intelligence, he stated, must serve as a bridge of understanding rather than a tool of domination.
Miguel Ángel Moratinos
UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations and Special Envoy on Islamophobia, called for a comprehensive global governance framework for AI based on multilateral cooperation, stressing that digital challenges require collective and transnational responses.
Younes Sekkouri
Minister of Economic Inclusion, Employment and Skills, highlighted profound transformations in the labor market and called for strong investment in human capital and skills development to prepare for the future economy.
Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni
Minister Delegate for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, stressed the importance of building national digital sovereignty based on innovation, responsibility, and ethical governance.
Mohamed Abou El Enein
President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, delivered an extensive intervention emphasizing the pivotal role of legislative institutions in addressing rapid digital transformation. He noted that artificial intelligence presents unprecedented challenges requiring flexible and effective legal frameworks.
He stressed that parliaments must design balanced legislation that fosters innovation while safeguarding fundamental rights and freedoms, particularly regarding data protection and cybersecurity. He further called for strengthened international parliamentary coordination to harmonize AI ethics and prevent regulatory fragmentation that could deepen the global digital divide.
He highlighted the Euro-Mediterranean space as a fertile ground for building an integrated cooperative model based on knowledge-sharing and best practices. He also urged the inclusion of economic and technological stakeholders in policymaking processes to ensure practical and effective regulations. He concluded that achieving a balance between innovation and legal protection remains the central challenge of the AI era.
Benita Ferrero-Waldner
Former European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy and former Foreign Minister of Austria, called for strengthened international cooperation in regulating artificial intelligence. She praised the central role of the UN Chair on the Alliance of Civilizations in fostering multilateral dialogue and facilitating international discussions on technological issues with civilizational impact.
Raymond Saint-Germain
Canadian Senator and former Minister, emphasized the importance of protecting digital rights and strengthening trust in intelligent systems. She commended the role of the UN Chair on the Alliance of Civilizations and international organizations, including the Muslim World League, in integrating ethical and human rights dimensions into AI-related discussions.
Forum Themes and Debates
The forum addressed a wide range of critical issues, notably AI governance, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and explainability, alongside scientific challenges related to data quality and algorithmic integrity.
It highlighted the immense potential of AI applications, particularly in healthcare, while stressing ethical concerns regarding data protection.
At the geopolitical level, participants agreed that AI is becoming a strategic factor in reshaping global power balances, requiring enhanced international cooperation to avoid technological fragmentation. Rising risks linked to cybersecurity and misinformation were also emphasized, along with the need for early warning and monitoring mechanisms.
At the African, Arab, and Mediterranean levels, the forum stressed the importance of digital sovereignty based on local innovation, skills development, and reducing the digital divide, while highlighting the key role of youth as drivers of a balanced and sustainable digital future.
Closing Session
Professor Abdelhak Azzouzi emphasized that the forum reflects growing international awareness of the need to frame AI within comprehensive human-centered approaches, stressing that the real challenge lies in directing technology toward peace, development, and civilizational convergence.
Conclusion
The forum reaffirmed a fundamental conviction: artificial intelligence represents a profound civilizational transformation, and its success depends on its alignment with human values and the ability of the international community to build a fair, balanced technological model that places humanity at its core.
Fez Message (Final Declaration)
We, the participants in the Euromed University of Fès Meetings on the Alliance of Civilizations, gathered on 27 and 28 April 2026 in Fès, under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI,
Reaffirming our commitment to the universal values of peace, dialogue, tolerance, human dignity, and cooperation among peoples,
Aware that artificial intelligence constitutes a major transformation of our era, bringing both considerable opportunities and unprecedented challenges for the future of human civilization,
Emphasizing the need to embed technological development within an ethical, inclusive, and responsible vision that respects cultural diversity and social balances,
Recognizing the fundamental role of the dialogue of civilizations as a lever for mutual understanding and for regulating global transformations,
Declare the following:
1. Artificial Intelligence at the Service of Humanity
We affirm that the development and use of artificial intelligence must be fully oriented toward human well-being, the preservation of human dignity, and the promotion of a shared future grounded in justice and equity.
2. An Ethical and Concerted Global Governance
We call for the establishment of international governance frameworks for artificial intelligence based on the principles of transparency, accountability, security, and trust, while respecting cultural specificities and national sovereignties.
3. Promoting Trust in AI Systems
We underline the importance of strengthening the reliability, robustness, and explainability of artificial intelligence systems, as well as establishing mechanisms for evaluation, auditing, and certification.
4. Combating Information Distortions
We express concern over the proliferation of manipulated content, disinformation campaigns, and hate speech amplified by digital technologies, and call for the establishment of appropriate monitoring, alert, and response mechanisms.
5. Artificial Intelligence for Peace and Security
We stress the need to prevent uses of artificial intelligence that may exacerbate conflicts, and encourage the development of technological solutions that contribute to crisis prevention and the maintenance of peace.
6. Equitable and Inclusive Access to Technologies
We call for reducing the digital divide by ensuring equitable access to artificial intelligence, particularly for developing countries, and by supporting the strengthening of human and institutional capacities.
7. Development of Sovereign Innovation Ecosystems
We encourage initiatives aimed at promoting local technological solutions adapted to cultural, economic, and social realities, fostering the emergence of responsible artificial intelligence rooted in territories.
8. Integration of Human Values into Innovation
We emphasize the importance of integrating humanities and social sciences into technology design in order to ensure alignment with universal ethical values and societal expectations.
9. The Central Role of Youth
We recognize the essential contribution of younger generations in building a responsible digital future, and call for strengthening their involvement, training, and innovative capacities.
10. Strengthening the Dialogue of Civilizations
We reaffirm that intercultural and inter-civilizational dialogue constitutes an essential foundation for accompanying technological transformations and promoting peaceful and sustainable coexistence.
Award Ceremony – Peace and Moderation Prize
A major highlight of the opening session was the prestigious award ceremony organized by the United Nations of the World Foundation and the Mediterranean Foundation, held in a solemn and celebratory atmosphere marked by high symbolic and intellectual significance.
The ceremony was presided over by Mr. Michel Capasso, President of the Foundation, and Professor Abdelhak Azzouzi, who emphasized that the contemporary world is undergoing a complex phase shaped by technological acceleration, geopolitical tensions, and cultural transformations. They stressed the need to prioritize human dialogue and civilizational convergence.
Three distinguished laureates were honored:
• His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa
• Her Excellency Ms. Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni
• The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), on its 20th anniversary
The award ceremony highlighted the importance of recognizing individuals and institutions that contribute to peace, dignity, and intercultural understanding, affirming that the future of humanity depends on the alliance between ethics, knowledge, and technology.
Award Justification – Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa
The award was granted to His Excellency in recognition of his outstanding international role in promoting moderation, dialogue, and mutual understanding among peoples, religions, and cultures.
As Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, he has established himself as a leading figure advocating peaceful coexistence and rejecting all forms of extremism. His efforts have focused on dismantling stereotypes, building bridges of trust, and reaffirming spiritual values as foundations of peace and human dignity.
He has consistently promoted a modern religious discourse based on openness and moderation, positioning religion as a space for dialogue and reconciliation rather than division.
Through numerous global initiatives, he has strengthened interfaith and intercultural dialogue, mobilizing diverse actors to build a shared vision of global coexistence.
The award thus recognizes his profound contribution to reshaping global religious discourse on the principles of moderation, tolerance, and the centrality of the human being in all civilizational projects.
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