A conference on "Promoting religions and intercultural dialogue for a safe world" was held in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, by a joint initiative of the State Committee on Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Baku International Multiculturalism Center, "New Direction" European Reform Fund, European Security and Religious Freedom Institute. The conference aims to promote the development of dialogue between religions and cultures, continuing the "Baku Process" established by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Today's global challenges, such as the rise of intolerance in Europe, the abuse of religion for political purposes, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia pose a serious threat to peace, security and social cohesion. Such calls require more than ever to consolidate and strengthen efforts at the international level to build a robust dialogue between religions and cultures with the aim of promoting cultural diversity, dialogue between religions and civilizations and mutual understanding between different religions, as well as strengthening tolerance. 

By coming together at the conference Azerbaijani and European experts should find a joint answer to such important challenges of today.

Sayavush Heydarov, the deputy chairman of the State Committee on Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Vagif Sadigov, the ambassador of Azerbaijan to Belgium, and Ravan Hasanov, the executive director of Baku International Multiculturalism Center, spoke at the conference. 

In the first session called "The role of religion in the modern world" moderated by political consultant Robert Taylor, Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis, Daniel Holtgen, Special Representative on Anti-Semitism, Anti-Muslim and Other Religious Intolerance and Hate Crimes, Sajjad Karim, CEO of Haider Global BVBA, Ventzeslav Sabev, Deputy Secretary General of the Geneva Geostrategic Observatory, Vice President of the Geneva Spiritual Association, Philip Markevich, President of the Belgian Jewish Central Consistory, Jeyhun Rustamov, representative of the Caucasus Muslims’ Board, shared their views on the topic. 

At the conference, Ali Hajiyev, head of the international relations department of the State Committee on Religious Associations, will moderate the discussions on the topic "Interreligious harmony as an important element of sustainable development", and Francesco Di Lillo, director of the European Union and International Relations Department of the New Church of Jesus Christ, will moderate the discussions on "How interreligious dialogue can contribute to peace." 

The exhibition organized in the lobby of the building where the conference is held gives conference participants the opportunity to get acquainted with the Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism and interreligious harmony.