Pakistan, June 13 -- Hate speech is a grave and growing threat to peace and security, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned, calling for urgent action to break a cycle that can lead to genocide and other atrocity crimes.

The UN chief was speaking at UN Headquarters in New York at the launch on Thursday of the Muscat Plan of Action - an initiative that highlights the role of traditional and Indigenous leaders in promoting peace and strengthening social cohesion.

The Plans is the outcome of a multi-stakeholder process led by the Sultanate of Oman, the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect (UNOSAPG), and the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers.

It was co-hosted by the UN Alliance of Ci...