Baku opens the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue with more than 2,000 participants from over 100 countries

The 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, themed "Dialogue for a Shared Future", opened at the Baku Convention Centre on 27 October, with President Ilham Aliyev speaking at the opening ceremony. Running until 29 October, it has drawn more than 2,000 registered participants and over 500 guests from more than 100 countries.

The forum is organised by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Culture with UNESCO, the UN Alliance of Civilizations, ICESCO and UN Tourism. Part of the "Baku Process" launched in 2011, it marks its 15th anniversary this year.

In his speech, President Ilham Aliyev described Azerbaijan as a historical bridge of cultures between Europe and Asia and named multiculturalism and religious and ethnic tolerance among the country's core values. He also noted that Azerbaijan will host the summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation next year and the European Political Community summit in 2028.

On 28 October the forum will hold a panel titled "Interreligious Dialogue: A Roadmap Towards a Shared Future", organised by the State Committee for Work with Religious Associations and the UN Alliance of Civilizations.