Baku: The 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) began in Baku with the participation of a large number of heads of state and government, ministers and representatives of international bodies and organizations, business and youth sectors, civil society, universities and research centers.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud headed the Qatari delegation to the Forum themed "Living Together in Inclusive Societies: A Challenge and A Goal."
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev opened the Forum by delivering a speech in which he emphasised the role played by the UNAOC in the issues of dialogue, understanding, tolerance and coexistence between cultures and religions. He also confirmed his country's support for each of these values that it believe in.
The Azerbaijani President underlined that security, peace, tolerance and coexistence values are the principles for understanding between peoples, which require the support of everyone in this regard for the alliance and for the establishment of new foundations for peace in the world.
In his speech, President Aliyev demanded Armenia to withdraw from Nagorno-Karabakh region and to comply with Security Council resolutions in this regard.
For his part, HE the High Representative of the UN Alliance of Civilizations Nassir bin Abdulaziz Al Nasser said in his speech at the opening session that the alliance has become an influential force in making the world safe and free from terrorism and extremism by encouraging understanding between cultures and launching of programs and initiatives that support these goals and explore what has been accomplished.
HE said that the theme of the 7th Global Forum of UN Alliance of Civilizations is consistent with the UN pillars regarding the security, safety, the establishment of a state of law and institutions and sustainable development, which he said will not be achieved without peace and security, adding that it is also an opportunity to reduce unemployment, especially among youth, and minimize terrorist operations and extremism, calling for the study of its causes and to listen to young people as partners and leaders, especially since their participation is a key element in the face of these risks.
He warned that the experience proved the failure of many short-sighted approaches in this context, pointing out that extremism grows when human rights are violated.
The High Representative of the UN Alliance of Civilizations highlighted the challenges faced societies building in many areas, including cultural diversity and communication, which are considered as the function of the Alliance of Civilizations.
HE Al Nasser emphasized on the need to work and exert concerted efforts with the United Nations to resist violence and terrorism through approach integration , pointing out that the alliance works on these approaches in the face of such challenges.
In a related context, he called on to support the UN Secretary-General's plan to combat terrorism, stand up against all forms of bipolarity and violence of terrorism and resist all forms of hatred.
HE also addressed the immigrants' suffering and the bad impacts of crises and conflicts, as well as how the youth were in front of the risk of being attracted by terrorist groups.
HE the High Representative of the UN Alliance of Civilizations said that all humanity emphasizes the goals and values of the Alliance, noting to the importance of these values and principles to reach the hearts of people to create a climate of security and peace in the world.
In his message to the Forum, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the important role UNAOC plays in carrying out the 2030 Agenda to leave no one behind and addressing the root causes of violent extremism and terrorism.
Division and exclusion only play into the hands of the extremists, but what they really want to destroy is our common ground, he stressed.
"Stereotyping is dangerous and destabilizing. Sensationalism may sell papers, but it does not solve problems," he said, welcoming the Alliance's work to "amplify moderate voices and help present the facts. "In a world of suspicion and fear, the Alliance is forging trust and understanding."
The Global Forum kicked off with a speech by Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan.
Welcoming the representatives of more than 140 countries who gathered in Baku, the president said that Azerbaijan is not only a geographic bridge between East and West, but also a cultural bridge. "For centuries, representatives of religions, cultures lived in peace and dignity in Azerbaijan," he said.
"Religious tolerance, multiculturalism - were always present here. There was no word - multiculturalism, but the ideas were always present," he said.
Also speaking in the opening session was Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey, who said "terror and terrorism have nothing in common with Islam."
He added that terrorists don't have religious affiliation and national identity.
Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain, also delivered a statement.
QNA
