The 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in Baku, Azerbaijan
Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the
High-Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
Press Release
The 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in Baku, Azerbaijan
Baku – April 27, 2016
A global forum convened by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in Baku concluded today, with delegations, who gathered in the Azerbaijani capital making a renewed commitment to creating inclusive societies. The High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser and the Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan, Mr, Abulfas Garayev concluded the 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in Baku with closing remarks that highlighted the forum’s success in providing an excellent platform for exchanging ideas, engaging with existing and potential partners and re-affirming the commitment of various stakeholders representing governments, civil society , religious leaders and academia.
The Forum was inaugurated on April 26th by the President of Azerbaijan , H.E. President Ilham Aliyev and the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser with a video message from the UN Secretary General , Mr. Ban Ki-moon as well as addresses by the President of Turkey , H.E. President Recep Tayyep Erdogan and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Spain, Mr. Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo y Marfil. Spain and Turkey are the co-sponsors of UNAOC.
Among the major outcomes from the Global Forum Baku 2016 was the adoption by consensus of the Baku Declaration, a political document that will guide future efforts towards achieving the goals of UNAOC – a body mandated to promote harmony, understanding and peaceful dialogue among nations.
The Forum, which kicked off April 26, brought together more than 4,300 participants, including Heads of State and Government, political officials, civil society representatives, religious and youth leaders, who exchanged their perspectives under the main theme on ‘Living Together in Inclusive Societies: A Challenge and A Goal.’
Through the Baku Declaration, the member states of the Group of Friends reaffirmed their support to UNAOC and expressed their conviction that UNAOC plays an important role as a global platform for sharing good practices for living together in inclusive societies.
The Baku Declaration calls for the implementation of the commitments made there so that Governments, with the support of the civil society, can overcome challenges and move forward towards the goals of living together in inclusive societies for sustainable development.
“Through the Baku Declaration, the Group of Friends reaffirmed its support to UNAOC and expressed its conviction that UNAOC plays an important role as a global platform for sharing good practices for living together in inclusive societies,” UNAOC High Representative Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser said at the closing session.
The outcome document rejects any advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, whether it involves the use of print, audiovisual or electronic media or any other means.
It also stresses the importance of implementing UNAOC’s goals at the national level and supports the High Representative in his efforts, including the advancement of UNAOC programming as an instrument to address conditions conducive to the spread of violent extremism.
After presenting brief summaries of plenary sessions and other events, Mr. Al-Nasser announced several new initiatives, including the launch of the advisory council composed of leaders from politics, religion, civil society and academia, which will provide guidance and recommendations to him and the Alliance.
Mr. Al-Nasser told the press that the dimensions and causes of violent extremism and measures to prevent such a scourge in the future were examined in plenary and breakout sessions, stressing that this Forum was of “great importance” to the Alliance, particularly because of UNAOC’s engaging efforts to contribute to the implementation of the SG’s plan of action to prevent violent extremism. Preventing Violent Extremism had been widely discussed in the forum’s various sessions.
He also noted the ‘breakout sessions’ held during the Forum addressing the issue of women in peacebuilding in conflict zones and creative storytelling about migrants, and paid tribute to the youth participants who gathered in Baku to create their narratives of tomorrow.
“I would like to note that our theme this year, ‘Living together in inclusive societies: a challenge and a goal’ converges with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” he said, adding that inclusivity is addressed directly in Sustainable Development Goal 16.
Also speaking in the closing session was Abulfas Garayev, Minister of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan and Chairman of the National Organizing Committee for the UNAOC 7th Global Forum, who said that the more than 4,300 people representing 147 countries registered for the conference, during which 40 discussions and panels were conducted.
The forum was widely covered by local and international media including UNTV and UN News and media division.
