The 4th panel session of the 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue on the theme "Dialogue for Peace and Global Security: Cooperation and Collaboration" was launched.

The meeting dedicated to the theme "Promotion of women's rights in intercultural dialogue: on the way to global development" featured opening speeches of the heads of partner institutions of Azerbaijan and Uganda.

Welcoming the participants of the Forum, Chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs Bahar Muradova mentioned that through this dialogue platform involving different parties, the experience can be exchanged and an equal and inclusive format of cooperation can be created.  

Noting that peace and security issues are now becoming topical on all platforms as the main topics on the national and international agenda, the Chairperson noted mine contamination in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan.

B. Muradova highlighted that women in our country, who were the first to receive suffrage in the Muslim East, have always been held in high regard and the rights of mothers have been duly respected. The fundamental principles of our modern state's women's policy have been built upon this age-old foundation. It was underlined that issues of women's rights, gender equality and elimination of all forms of discrimination by law are at the centre of the agenda of all formats.

Сhairperson reminded all attendees of the "Expanding the Role of Women in Intercultural Dialogue" forum that took place in Baku in 2008. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation organized the two-day event with the support of UNESCO and ISESCO. The forum sparked widespread discussion on the topic of expanding the role of women.

During the last two decades, women have played an increasingly significant role in the business world both in our country and globally. For instance, B. Muradova highlighted the organization of three congresses and one forum for Azerbaijani women during this period. Furthermore, last year, a conference on the development and expansion of women's rights was held on the initiative of the Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement, Mr Ilham Aliyev.

 The Chairperson of the Committee emphasised that women's development comes through education and economic empowerment and concluded her presentation with suggestions and recommendations for engaging women in the process to achieve peace and security as well as enhancing their role in the global value chain.

 Addressing the session, Betty Ongom, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development of Uganda, expressed gratitude to the President and the organisers for the opportunity to come together at this Global Forum. She emphasised that Baku has become an influential city uniting different countries to regularly discuss issues of concern to the world community, such as achieving peace, security and human rights.

Drawing attention to the problems faced by women, the Minister stressed the importance of joint dialogue on women's rights, culture and religion in addressing these issues.

 She emphasized the importance of establishing public associations to shift attitudes towards safeguarding women's rights, and urged for collective action to eliminate harmful gender stereotypes. This would involve the participation of both women and men, as well as government officials, parliamentarians, civil society representatives, and religious leaders. 

 The panel session continued with presentations by the speakers.