Opening the event with an introductory speech, AUL Rector, Academician Kamal Abdullayev said the foundation of the multiculturalism policy of the Azerbaijan Republic was laid by National Leader Heydar Aliyev. In the modern era, this policy is successfully continued by the National Leader’s worthy successor, President Ilham Aliyev. The multiculturalism policy conducted under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev strengthens the processes of integration within the country. On the international dimension, this policy has a strong effect on the development of intercultural and interreligious dialogue. The fact that, at the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev, the year 2016 was declared as “the Year of Multiculturalism” and 2017 as “the Year of Islamic Solidarity” in our country is a clear indication of the importance attached to the multiculturalism policy by the state.  

Kamal Abdulla noted that the book presented to readers in Italian, Spanish and French languages contains President Ilham Aliyev’s valuable thoughts from his interviews and speeches since 2003 on the Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism. The book deals with projects implemented by Azerbaijan for the development of multiculturalism and intercultural and interreligious dialogue at the initiative and under the leadership of our Head of State, as well as the achievements made in this area both domestically and internationally. The book was first published in Azerbaijani, Russian and English languages in 2017.  

BIMC Executive Director Ravan Hasanov, in his speech, stressed that Baku International Multiculturalism Center was founded by President of the Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev five years ago. Based on the valuable recommendations made by the Head of State to ensure that multiculturalism is built and developed on a more solid foundation, BIMC has since stepped up its activities to strengthen, develop and promote historical co-existence between the different ethnic groups and religions in our country and has successfully formed a new platform for creativity.  

Ravan Hasanov underlined that the main objective of publishing the book is to promote the Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism in foreign countries in leading world languages and to show the political basis of this model. This book is a roadmap for both BIMC and various institutions in our country on Azerbaijani multiculturalism and tolerance, cultural and religious diversity. BIMC has already delivered copies of this book to foreign diplomatic missions in our country and higher education institutions and political circles in foreign countries, and the initial feedback is very positive.   

Speeches were also made by Umberto Boeri, Deputy Head of Mission of the Italian Embassy in Azerbaijan, Gunduz Ismayilov, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, Jeyhun Mammadov, Rector of Azerbaijan Institute of Theology, and others, who noted that Azerbaijan’s achievements in the field of multiculturalism policy are recognized by countries around the world. The increasing global interest in Azerbaijan’s experience in the areas of multiculturalism and tolerance has earned our state reputation as one of the centers of multiculturalism.