The United Nations has appointed Miguel Ángel Moratinos of Spain as its special envoy to combat Islamophobia, in an effort to address rising anti-Muslim sentiment worldwide.

Moratinos, who also serves as the High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations—a body focused on countering extremism and promoting dialogue—will take on this newly created role.

He brings extensive diplomatic experience, having served as Spain’s foreign minister from 2004 to 2010 and collaborated closely with the UN during that period.

From 1996 to 2003, he also acted as the European Union’s special representative for the Middle East peace process, where he worked to promote peace and dialogue between Israel and Arab nations. In 1996, he held the position of Spanish ambassador to Israel.

The UN observes the International Day to Combat Islamophobia on March 15 each year. This initiative began in 2022 following a resolution led by Pakistan and supported unanimously by the UN General Assembly. The resolution was backed by 60 member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

On this year’s observance, Moratinos condemned the widespread bigotry and dehumanizing rhetoric directed at Muslims around the world.

“Hate speech divides societies, fuels fear and anger, and can escalate into violence, threatening peace and stability,” he warned.

He called for a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of hatred and urged governments to implement policies that protect human rights and preserve the cultural and religious identities of minority groups.

Moratinos emphasized the importance of fostering social cohesion through initiatives that promote dialogue, mutual respect, and the dignity of every individual.