By Hina Haroon
Baku, Azerbaijan: The 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue under the theme of “Dialogue for Peace and Global Security: Cooperation and Interconnectivity” has started in Baku, Azerbaijan and was attended by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
Baku has become a hub of global networking, international diplomatic forums, and a rich land where the global future is being visualized. The depth and importance of initiatives taken by President Ilham Aliyev to make Baku a platform for getting connected by regional as well as international experts could be judged through the documentary titled “Baku Process” which was screened at the event and that explains Azerbaijan’s contributions to intercultural dialogue.
The 6th Forum has been organized by the government of Azerbaijan, in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the World Tourism Organization (WTO), and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). The opening ceremony of the event was attended by around 700 guests representing more than 110 countries including high-level government officials, heads of parliaments, religious leaders, scholars, writers, and journalists.
The three-day Forum will host 12-panel discussions on topics such as interfaith harmony, education, youth, climate change, artificial intelligence, protection of cultural heritage, and illegal migration.
The World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, which is an integral part of the “Baku Process” on intercultural dialogue was initiated by President Ilham Aliyev in 2008 the first Forum was held in Baku in 2011, and subsequently organized in 2013, 2015, and 2017 and 2019. It takes place after every two years.
Important global issues such as dialogue for Peace and Global Security, Leveraging Soft Power for Multilateral Strength, Intergenerational Dialogue, Global Security, Cooperation and Interconnectivity, Fostering Intercultural Dialogue for Global Cultural Renaissance, Sustainable Pathway for a Greener Future and Collaborative Action for COP29 and the Role of Education and Youth Engagement in Combating Xenophobia and Discrimination were discussed in the first day of the 6th Forum. The Forum will conclude on May 3, 2024.
Azerbaijan, particularly Baku is traditionally a land for meeting several cultures, thoughts, ideas, religions, and philosophies and President Ilham Aliyev since he came into office has been working to make Azerbaijan a land of not only opportunities, peace, connectivity rather he offers this land for global partners to improve relationship therefore Azerbaijan has become a platform for enhancing international relations among nations.
