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October 12, 2021

Azerbaijan participates in the Taihu World Cultural Forum as a guest-country

The 6th annual conference of the Taihu World Cultural Forum gets underway in the city of Bengbu of the People’s Republic of China.

 

One of the influential platforms of discussion in the sphere of culture, along with being the biggest cultural event in China, the Taihu Forum’s slogan for this year is “Mutual Learning Among Civilizations: Jointly Building a Community of Shared Future for Mankind”. For the first time in the history of the Forum, one state is participating with the status of “an honoured guest-country”.  With its rapidly increasing influence around the world, Azerbaijan is the first “Honoured guest-country” of the Taihu Forum, with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation being among the organizers of the Forum.  

 

On October 12, at the opening ceremony, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Anar Alakbarov presented the video-address of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to the participants of the 6th Conference of the Taihu Cultural Forum. It is stated in the address that the influence of this event, held under the patronage of the People’s Republic of China, is increasing year after year, and, bringing together eminent politicians, scholars and creative intelligentsia from around the world, the Taihu Forum is making its contribution to intercultural dialogue. Invitation of Azerbaijan by Chairperson of the People’s Republic of China Mister Xi Jinping to this year’s forum dedicated to the initiative “Mutual Learning Among Civilizations: Jointly Building a Community of Shared Future for Mankind” as an honoured guest-country, as well as the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s being one of the main co-organizers of the  event is gratifying.”

 

“There is an urgent need for discussion on the theme “Mutual Learning Among Civilizations: Jointly Building a Community of Shared Future for Mankind” in the current delicate and tumultuous period of the world. In particular, the complex situation caused by the worldwide spread COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges facing the mankind once more prove how important the dialogue among civilizations and mutual support are.

 

Multiculturalism is one of the basic priorities of the state policy in Azerbaijan. Multiculturalism is among values reflecting our people’s life and lifestyle. Therefore, we believe that representatives of different cultures coming together and having discussions over solution of global issues are of importance, thinking that these issues would be a focus of attention in this year’s gathering of the Taihu Forum”- is stated in the address of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

 

Such themes as promotion of cultural diversity, “One belt one way” past and future of the civilization, joint struggle against climatic changes, reducing poverty, support of science and technology in building a shared future for the mankind are discussed at various sectional meetings of the Forum. The Taihu World Cultural Forum was founded in 2008 with the support of the Chinese Government. Annual sittings are held as of 2011. Eminent politicians, experts, specialists and business people from around the world participate in the Forum.

 

A national pavilion named “A Window to Azerbaijani Culture” - created by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the Ancient Residences Park, where the headquarters of the Taihu World Cultural Forum is located - started to function in the framework of this time’s forum. 

 

Based on the agreement reached, the Azerbaijani pavilion will operate on a long-term basis, whereby, millions of guests annually visiting the Ancient Residences Cultural Park - one of the largest tourism projects of China - will have a chance to receive information about the history, culture and contemporary life of Azerbaijan. Forum participants were presented the Azerbaijani pavilion, and a video-clip called “Spirit of Azerbaijan” was demonstrated. The official document concerning the pavilion’s inauguration was signed by member of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee’s Political Bureau Wang Chen and ambassador of Azerbaijan to the People’s Republic of China Akram Zeynally.

 

The head of the international relations department of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation spoke in a video format at the plenary session held on the theme “Mutual Learning Among Civilizations: Jointly Building a Community of Shared Future for Mankind”. Speeches were made also by the governor of the Anhui province, the general secretary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, former foreign minister of the PRC, former heads of states and governments of Chile and Spain, as well as UNESCO former Director General Irina Bokova.

 

Parallel sessions will also be held on such themes as “Promotion of cultural diversity in the world and jointly building a community of shared future for mankind” and “Scientific and technological progress acts as a support to building a community of shared future for mankind” etc. in the framework of the Forum, which will continue till the 13th of October.

 


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