IRNA � The Fourth World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue started in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Friday with the attendance of representatives from 120 countries including the Islamic Republic of Iran.


Mohammad Beheshti Shirazi, Deputy Head of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization heads the Iranian mission to the forum.

The two-day forum is being held in Baku, Azerbaijan, with the cooperation of Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the Council of Europe, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO).

Examining the methods of intercultural dialogue, the role of faith, religions, and education for sustainable development, preventing violent radicalism, and building confidence between followers of different cultures and civilizations are among the issues expected to be discussed in the forum.

Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, said in his speech that the goal of holding this forum is to help promotion of dialog between cultures.

Referring to his concerns about the ongoing clashes, civil wars, and violence in different parts of the world, he said, �The world community needs dialog and mutual understanding more than before and realization of this affair will have positive effects on every field.�

He referred to the expansion of violence, Islamophobia, children�s deprivation of education, and added, �To confront this obnoxious phenomenon, we need to try jointly and take clear steps.�

The 4th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue started on May 4 and will go on until May 6, 2017.