Between October 27 and 29, the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue will take place in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, an international meeting that will bring together political representatives, multilateral organizations, academics, and religious leaders to discuss global cooperation, multiculturalism, and peacebuilding.
The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and international organizations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the Islamic World Organization for Education, Science and Culture (ICESCO), and UN Tourism will be the organizers of the international event.
The forum is held within the framework of the so-called “Baku Process,” an initiative launched in 2008 by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, aimed at promoting intercultural dialogue, international cooperation, and coexistence among different cultures and religions. This edition has a special significance, as it will mark the 15th anniversary of the forum’s celebration.
This forum will feature panels dedicated to education, tourism, international cooperation, artificial intelligence, multiculturalism, and conflict prevention, as well as meetings between political leaders and religious representatives from different countries. Additionally, during the sessions, renowned specialists will discuss current issues and seek to build a better future for all.
For Baku, this 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue represents much more than an international event: it is part of a strategy to consolidate a distinct diplomatic identity based on global dialogue and intercultural cooperation. In this way, Azerbaijan seeks to position itself as a relevant actor in what is called “cultural diplomacy,” using such forums to expand its international presence and strengthen ties with multilateral organizations.
The sixth edition of the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku focused on the theme Dialogues for peace and global security: cooperation and interconnectivity. Cooperation and interconnectivity in a world divided by conflicts facing challenges such as climate change were the main issues discussed at the event in October 2024.