Leyla Aliyeva: Baku forum aimed at promoting mutual understanding across the world

The vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Leyla Aliyeva, addressed the Youth Forum, which was opened today in Baku in the framework of the 7th Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC).

She expressed confidence that the forum will contribute to joint efforts of promoting understanding and cooperation across the world and expressed joy of having some of the most interesting and intelligent people gather in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

Leyla Aliyev recalled that Azerbaijan is the land of rich historical traditions and sits at the crossroads of East and West, adding that "Azerbaijan is one of the major countries on the historic Silk Road".

She pointed out that this factor has affected the country's culture and turned Azerbaijan into a country open to tolerance and dialogue.

According to the vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Azerbaijan's unique geographic position also had an impact on its landscape, which is full of mountains, forests, meadows and lowlands.

"In fact, Azerbaijan has 9 of 11 climatic zones, giving us a very rich and natural environment and biodiversity," Trend cited him as saying.

Leyla Aliyeva recalled that Azerbaijan has launched the IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Action) campaign in 2011.

Leyla Aliyeva, who is the Goodwill Ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), also addressed the problem of food security in the world.

"Today one person dies every second because of hunger. Therefore, we must all work together and try hard to insure a world where no child dies of hunger and malnutrition," she said.