Baku:The opening ceremony of the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, themed ‘Dialogue for a Shared Future,’ took place in Baku, with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan in attendance. The event commenced with a family photo, followed by a speech delivered by President Aliyev.
According to Azeri-Press news agency, President Aliyev welcomed the participants, highlighting the forum’s transformation over the past 15 years into a leading platform for addressing intercultural relations and global issues. He emphasized Azerbaijan’s historical role as a cultural bridge between Asia and Europe and its traditions of multiculturalism and ethnic tolerance, which contribute to the country’s stable development.
The forum, attended by over 2,000 participants, including more than 500 foreign guests from over 100 countries, continued with speeches from notable figures. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, expressed gratitude to President Aliyev for hosting the forum. He highlighted the importance of intercultural dialogue and the role of the Baku Process in fostering international cooperation.
Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and Alexandre Zouev, Acting Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, also addressed the event, thanking Azerbaijan for its contributions to promoting dialogue and safeguarding religious heritage. Other speakers included Salim bin Mohammed AlMalik, Director-General of ICESCO, and Åsa Regnér, Deputy Director-General of UNESCO, who praised Azerbaijan’s efforts in supporting education and cultural initiatives.
The event continues to serve as a vital platform for intercultural dialogue, bringing together representatives from various countries and cultures to discuss and promote peace and cooperation.