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Director: UN Alliance of Civilizations closely cooperates with Azerbaijani government

26 October 2026 12:28 (UTC +04:00)

We need dialogue more than we did 15 years ago in an increasingly divided world, Director of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Nihal Saad said at a press conference dedicated to the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, which will be held in Baku on October 27–29, APA reports.

She stated that this year marks the 15th anniversary of the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue.

"15 years after the creation of this concept, today we find ourselves in a more divided world in the global landscape, and we need dialogue more than we did 15 years ago," Nihal Saad emphasized.

According to the UNAOC Director, the organization closely cooperates with the Azerbaijani government and the Ministry of Culture, as well as other partners of the Forum.

She noted that UNAOC is one of the main bodies within the UN system leading intercultural and interreligious dialogue and works to establish global dialogue platforms that bring together state and non-state actors.

Saad stated that one of the main innovations within the framework of the 7th Forum is the holding of a plenary session dedicated to interreligious dialogue.

According to her, representatives of various religious communities and experts will participate in the session entitled "Dialogue – A Roadmap to a Shared Future."

"We will explore how interreligious dialogue can contribute to addressing contemporary global challenges, peacebuilding, reconciliation, and ensuring social cohesion," the UNAOC Director said.

Nihal Saad also noted the particular importance of youth-related events within the framework of the Forum.

She stated that more than 60 young people who are graduates of the organization's mentorship programs and workshops are participating in the youth program organized by UNAOC.

"They are here to share their experiences and how they benefited from these workshops and mentorship programs. They have returned to their countries and communities and applied the experience gained from these programs," Saad emphasized.

She added that more than 100 young people from 44 countries, including Azerbaijani youth, came together at the International Youth Forum held in Guba.

"Participants discussed the challenges facing their communities and promoted the values of mutual respect, trust, and unity through various activities," the UNAOC Director said.

The UNAOC Director also provided information about the "One Humanity" concert to be held within the framework of the Forum.

She stated that the concert entitled "Our Oldest Future" will demonstrate the power of culture and art to bring people together regardless of borders.

"Music has a unique ability to transcend differences and remind us of the values that unite us," Saad said.

According to her, the concert will feature the works of two great musicians of the 20th century — Mstislav Rostropovich and another prominent musician — and demonstrate their "reunion" on stage through artificial intelligence.