The “Baku Process” was initiated in 2008 by Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the promotion of intercultural dialogue. The Baku Process comprises an open and respectful exchange of views between people 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 5th Forum was organized by the Azerbaijani government in partnership with UNESCO, the UN Alliance of Civilizations, the UN World Tourism Organization (WTO), the Council of Europe, and the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO).
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Ilham Aliyev made the opening of the ceremony at the Heydar Aliyev Center. In his opening speech, President Aliyev emphasized the role of intercultural dialogue as the only way to bring countries closer, to set up more bridges between representatives of different religions and civilizations. He also stressed the importance of multiculturalism as one of the essential elements of the Azerbaijan policy and necessity to promote the values of multiculturalism.
Other speakers at the event included High Representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences at UNESCO Nada Al-Nashif, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Yousef Bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, and Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri and etc.
Deputy Secretary General of the Turkic Council Mr. Gismat Gozalov took part and delivered a speech at the plenary session on “The Role of Great Silk Road in building dialogue among Turkic speaking countries” organised with the framework of the 5th World Forum on Intercultural Dilaogue.
The session was organized by the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and attended by Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Abulfas Garayev, Secretary General of TURKSOY Dusen Kaseinov, Director General of the Islamic History, Art and Culture Research Center (IRCICA) Halit Eren, Former Ambassador of Hungary to Turkey Janos Hovari, Chairman of National Commission of Turkey for UNESCO Mehmet Öcal Oguz, Deputy Chairman of the National Commission of Moldova for UNESCO Luminita Drumea, Chairman of the Union of Eurasian Writers Yakub Ömeroğlu, writer Kemal Salli, Hungarian turkologist Cecilia Hazai, editor-in-chief of "Murad Adci" website Marina Kuriachaia-Adci and others.
In his speech, Deputy Secretary General Mr. Gismat Gozalov touched upon the role of Turkic Council Member States in reviving the ancient Silk Road - one of the cultural, historical ties that bring together Turkic peoples. He mentioned about some potentials and comparative advantages of the Member States, as well as activities of Secretariat of the Turkic Council aimed for strengthening the trade, connectivity and tourism sectors among its Members.
Later he added that the Turkic Council, together with its related and affiliated organizations such as TURKSOY and Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation will continue to work on the preservation and promotion of the major historical, cultural and people to people relations through tangible cooperation projects.
The session discussed the role of the Great Silk Road in building dialogue and strengthening mutual relations among cultures and peoples.
At the end, a group of participants were awarded with special plaque by the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation.
