CHICAGO, Illinois – An interfaith resolution authored by the Philippines and Pakistan was adopted by the United Nations during its 63rd Session of the United Nations in New York City on Thursday night.

Sixty other states co-sponsored the resolution, considered an important step toward forging greater global understanding, harmony and cooperation through interreligious and intercultural dialogue.

In her speech before the session on Wednesday, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo urged member nations to adopt draft Resolution No. A/63/L24 entitled “Promotion of Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, Understanding and Cooperation for Peace."

Speaking at the UN Plenary Meeting on Culture of Peace on the opening day, Wednesday, President Arroyo urged member nations to adopt Draft Resolution No. A/63/L24 entitled “Promotion of Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, Understanding and Cooperation for Peace."

“This resolution is the affirmation that mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue constitute an important part of the alliance of civilizations and of a culture of peace," Arroyo said.

She added that the resolution encourages the promotion of dialogue among the media from all cultures and civilizations, emphasizes right to freedom of expression, and affirms that the exercise of this right carries with it duties and responsibilities.

“The adoption of this resolution will demonstrate once again our solidarity for the promotion of interfaith dialogue as a powerful aid to ensure durable peace worldwide," she said.

Sixty other world leaders made a pitch for the resolution, which was later adopted Thursday night with the passage of a “consensus resolution reaffirming the world body’s solemn commitment to promote universal respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms, in line with the United Nations Charter and Universal Declaration of Human Rights."