President Aliyev Meets UN Official at 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku

On May 1, 2024, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan met with UN Assistant Secretary-General Alexander Zuev in Baku during the 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue. The three-day forum, co-organized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and Azerbaijan's Ministry of Culture, brings together over 700 distinguished guests from more than 100 countries to advance peace and global security through dialogue.

In his address at the forum's opening ceremony, President Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan's role as a crossroads of cultures and its dedication to multiculturalism, tolerance, and cultural diversity. He stated, "All the people living in Azerbaijan, representing different ethnic groups and religions, live as one family and as great citizens and patriots of the country." Aliyev also noted Azerbaijan's experience in cultural dialogue led to the launch of the "Baku Process" in 2008, which has grown to include over 10,000 participants and 200 events across the previous five forums.

During their meeting, Zuev conveyed the UN Secretary-General's warmest wishes for a successful forum. He commended the leadership of Azerbaijan and Armenia for reaching an agreement on the delimitation of their border, calling it "a good reason for hope that other outstanding issues would be resolved." Zuev emphasized the UNAOC's commitment to fostering intercultural and interreligious dialogue as a critical tool against isolation, mistrust, and confrontation.

Why this matters: The 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue serves as a significant platform for promoting peace, security, and cooperation in a region that has experienced conflict. The agreements between Azerbaijan and Armenia on border delimitation mark an important step towards resolving long-standing disputes and fostering stability in the Caucasus.

President Aliyev also addressed Azerbaijan's role as the host country for the upcoming COP29 Climate Change Conference, stating that in addition to finance, solidarity and mutual trust are critical for the successful development of climate change-related issues. He emphasized Azerbaijan's firm commitment to multilateralism during its four-year chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement from 2019 to early 2024, noting the creation of the Parliamentary Network and the Youth and Women platforms for the first time.

The 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, themed "Dialogue for Peace and Global Security: Cooperation and Interconnectivity," features plenary sessions and panel discussions on topics such as education, youth, climate change, and cultural heritage. Participants will also visit the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from a 30-year occupation. The forum underscores the importance of dialogue, cultural diversity, and multilateral cooperation in addressing global challenges and promoting peace and security.

Key Takeaways

• Azerbaijan hosts 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, promoting peace and security.
• Aliyev highlights Azerbaijan's role as a crossroads of cultures and commitment to multiculturalism.
• UN official commends Azerbaijan-Armenia border agreement, calls it a step towards resolving disputes.
• Aliyev addresses Azerbaijan's role as host of upcoming COP29 Climate Change Conference.
• Forum features discussions on education, youth, climate change, and cultural heritage.