Baku: The 13th Global Baku Forum, themed 'Bridging Divides in a World in Transition,' opened at the Gulustan Palace in Baku under the patronage of President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan. The Forum, organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, commenced its proceedings with President Aliyev addressing the opening ceremony.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the event began with a family photo of the participants, marking the start of discussions aimed at addressing global challenges. Co-Chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, Ismail Serageldin, declared the Forum open and stressed the significance of the discussions. He highlighted the current tensions in international relations and the importance of reimagining a future guided by strong principles. Serageldin welcomed the participants and expressed gratitude for their presence at this critical event. The Forum seeks to harness the experience and insights of its attendees to build a better future amidst the challenges facing multilateralism today.