The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Center for Analysis of International Relations and Multiculturalism in the Republic of Azerbaijan, held a panel discussion titled “Civilizational Diplomacy and Strategic Foresight: Anticipating Tensions, Building Inclusive Pathways to Peace” on Tuesday, 27 October 2026. The session took place as part of the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, held in Baku under the theme “Dialogue for a Shared Future: Building Bridges in a Fractured World,” which ICESCO is co-organizing.

Moderated by Ambassador Khaled Fatahalrahman, Head of the ICESCO Center for Civilizational Dialogue, the session brought together a distinguished group of officials, researchers and media professionals. It explored ways to engage civilizational stakeholders, including states, institutions and scientific communities, as genuine partners within an integrated diplomatic framework, and examined foresight tools for identifying emerging tensions and enabling preventive action rather than merely reacting to events.

The session featured Dr. Kais Hammami, Head of the ICESCO Center of Foresight and Artificial Intelligence, Dr. Abdelfattah El Belamachi, Head of the ICESCO Chair for Civilizational Diplomacy at Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech, Dr. Hassan Elhag Ali, Professor of International Relations at Lusail University in Doha, Dr. Zaid A. Alfadeil, Director of the Cultural and Media Program at the Gulf Research Center in Jeddah, Dr. Mohammed Massoudi, Professor at the Department of Philosophy, Mohammed V University in Rabat, and Dr. Ravan Hasanov, Executive Director of the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre.

The speakers emphasized that the international dialogue platforms hosted in Baku, including the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, underline the importance of bringing diverse voices together and building bridges among different perspectives and viewpoints.

They also stressed the need to strengthen young people’s voices and empower them to contribute to this process, while fostering dialogue among civilizations and advancing peace through inclusive approaches that leave no one behind.