The parliamentary delegation of Azerbaijan headed by Speaker Ogtay Asadov attended the Partners Forum of UN Alliance of Civilizations, which started at the Conrad Hotel here.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon opened the forum.

Speaking at the opening of the forum, Turkish Prime Minister stressed that the forum aims at discussing financing sources for creation of the Union of Cultures initiated by Spain and Turkey. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon spoke of ongoing conflicts in the world, calling world leaders to establish closer relations.

Speaking at the forum, Azerbaijani Speaker Ogtay Asadov said "Azerbaijan hails Turkish efforts to promote inter-religious and Inter-cultural dialogue and mutual understanding in the world. Azerbaijan, the country, which is committed to join both Islamic and European values, has stated many times its readiness to be a bridge between civilizations and religions, putting forward a number of initiatives. Thus, in 2007, Azerbaijan hosted the International conference entitled "Role of Media in the Development of Tolerance and Mutual Understanding" and in 2008 "The Role of Women in Cross-Cultural Dialogue". At the initiative of the President Ilham Aliyev on April 7-9, 2011, Azerbaijani hosted the World forum on Intercultural Dialogue, which gathered 500 delegates from 102 countries. Azerbaijan intends to hold this substantial forum every two years. Azerbaijan will contribute to relief fund because we think it is important that alliance continues its activity".

Secretary General of the Islamic Cooperation Organization Ekmaladdin Ihsanoglu also made a speech on the existing intercultural conflicts.

The sessions held within the event discussed issues of cultural union and global policy, prevention of conflicts and mediation and provision of global peace.

The forum will end on Friday.

As a whole, the forum brought together governments, intergovernmental organizations as well as business foundations and individuals who have shown a strong commitment in realizing the vision of a world free from intercultural conflicts. 65 world leaders are attending the forum. Partners will be able to discuss the result achieved by the Alliance and will address a number of issues including the long-term resource needs, the immediate requirements for 2012 and 2013, and the current UNAOC priorities for action, including the new projects related to the outcomes of the previous global forums.

The Alliance of Civilizations is an initiative proposed by Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero at the 59th General Assembly of the United Nations in 2005. It was co-sponsored by Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan. The initiative seeks to galvanize international action against extremism through the forging of international, intercultural and interreligious dialogue and cooperation. The Alliance places a particular emphasis on defusing tensions between the Western and Islamic worlds.

AzerTAc