Azerbaijan reaffirms commitment to UN Alliance of Civilisations at Riyadh forum PHOTO

Azerbaijan will continue its cooperation with the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC), Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade said.

He made the remarks at the 11th UNAOC Global Forum in Riyadh, noting that over the past two decades, the UN Alliance of Civilisations has established itself as a key international platform that serves humanity’s interests and promotes cooperation among states, civil society, and religions in tackling global challenges, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Pashazade noted that the organisation’s achievements in tackling global issues related to peace and the future deserve recognition.

He also expressed satisfaction with the high level of cooperation between Azerbaijan—which he said has valuable historical experience in building bridges between different cultures and civilisations—and the UN Alliance of Civilisations in the interests of humanity.

Pashazadeh emphasised that the traditional World Forums on Intercultural Dialogue hosted in Azerbaijan are the result of this cooperation with the Alliance, adding: “Azerbaijan previously hosted the 7th Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilisations. Cooperation between our country and the Alliance will continue with upcoming joint events.”

He added that Azerbaijan is reviving its religious and spiritual heritage that was subjected to vandalism in Karabakh during the period of occupation, restoring and rebuilding places of worship, and actively contributing to the peace agenda at both regional and global levels.

The United Nations Alliance of Civilisations is a UN initiative created in 2005 to reduce polarisation and foster international cooperation by promoting intercultural and interreligious dialogue, with the aim of preventing extremism and building mutual understanding among diverse societies.

UNAOC operates under the motto “Many cultures, one humanity,” and focuses its work on key areas such as education, youth, migration, media, and women as peace mediators to help bridge divides and support peaceful coexistence.

The Alliance maintains a global network of partners, including states, civil society, international and regional organisations, and the private sector, and is headquartered in New York with an additional office in Geneva.

By Jeyhun Aghazada