6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue: Background

The 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue is being held in Baku, Azerbaijan from 1 - 3 May 2024, at the Baku Convention Centre. 

Background

Azerbaijan is described as a special and unique place where different cultures and civilizations meet at a crossroad between the East and West, North and South. With a foot in both Asia and Europe, and concurrent membership of both Islamic and European international organizations, Azerbaijan absorbs the values of the different civilizations, thus enabling it to assume a role as a genuine bridge. Azerbaijan- a miraculous country of centuries-old culture, history and ancient communities, whose lifestyle presents a distinctive and harmonious combination of the traditions and ceremonies of different cultures and civilizations. 

Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan initiated the “Baku Process” for the promotion of intercultural dialogue in 2008. The Baku Process comprises an open and respectful exchange of views between individuals and groups with different ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic backgrounds and heritage living on different continents, on the basis of mutual understanding and respect. The “Baku Process” was launched at the Conference of Ministers responsible for Culture which was held in Baku in December 2008 on the theme of “Intercultural dialogue as a basis for peace and sustainable development in Europe and its neighbouring regions”. The conference was organised in partnership with the Council of Europe. 

This event was the first of its kind, bringing together the ministers of culture of the Council of Europe and the ministers of culture of number of Muslim countries which makes it another major step in the development of dialogue and mutual understanding in the globalised world.

History of the World Forum

The government of Azerbaijan decided to organise the inaugural World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue on 7-9 April 2011 in Baku and has been held in the city every two years, with the 6th Forum in 2024 being the first since the pandemic. 

The Forum normally attracts circa 500 delegates from 100+ countries from around the world, with participants including global public figures, heads of international organisations, heads of state or governments, ministers of culture and cultural ambassadors, parliamentarians and diplomats, mayors and other local-authority figures, representatives of non-governmental organisations and enterprises, media representatives and journalists, cultural experts and practitioners, prominent intellectuals and activists. 

Various international organisations have been involved over the years, including the UN Alliance of Civilizations, UNESCO, the UN World Tourism Organization, the Council of Europe (including the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe) and ISESCO.

For further details, see https://www.bakuprocess.az/baku-process

The 6th World Forum

The 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue is held within the “Baku Process” as a global initiative aimed at promoting intercultural dialogue, understanding and harmony in and between diverse cultures.

Its tag line is “Dialogue for Peace and Global Security: Cooperation and Interconnectivity”

In a world marked by complex global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, terrorism, cyber threats, and geopolitical tensions, traditional approaches to conflict resolution and security strategies are being re-examined. The UN’s New Agenda for Peace has created a fresh path for creating safer global communities. Dialogue for peace and global security, grounded in cooperation and visionary leadership, is not merely an option — it is the imperative of our time. The 6th Forum will seek to explore the critical intersections between dialogue, cooperation and interconnectedness in the pursuit of global peace and security

Chronicle.lu will report on the Forum from Baku.