We, politicians, scholars and representatives of international organizations, culture, civil society and the mass media, who took part in the VI Baku International Humanitarian Forum held in Baku, capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan, on 25 to 26 October 2018,
- guided by the Declaration on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals for 2015–2030, adopted during the 70th Anniversary Session of the United Nations, and also taking into account the recommendations by the international organizations aimed at the development of human potential and forming an inclusively developing society;
- acknowledging certain progress in the implementation of the sustainable development goals and achieving objectives in the area of forming an inclusive society based on human development;
- highly appreciating tangible results that the international cooperation has brought in terms of resolution of many humanitarian problems, including increased access to quality education, healthcare, intensifying information exchange, growth of information and communication technologies that contribute to human development;
- declaring our commitment to the new broad, ambitious, universal 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and noting the importance of maintaining and increasing human capital;
- acknowledging the fundamental significance of human dignity and the principles of the supremacy of the law, justice, equality and respect for racial, ethnic and cultural diversity and considering the increase in human capital the main prerequisite for the achievement of the millennium goals;
- calling on everyone to mobilize efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals and show determination in accomplishing the mission;
- declaring that society of inclusive development cannot be realized without guaranteeing improvement of human capital;
- considering that there can be no sustainable development or a society of inclusive development without peace and no peace without sustainable development, and calling all countries and peoples to a prompt and fair resolution of the current conflicts in the world;
- agreeing with the need for realizing such an element of a sustainable and inclusive development as human capital in order to eliminate sharp differences in the level of economic, social and environmental security for people in different countries;
- realizing that for many countries immense problems requiring the creation of different short-term and long-term programmes still stand on the path of sustainable and inclusive development;
- vigorously condemning escalating conflicts, militant extremism, terrorism and the related humanitarian crises and the forced displacement of people;
- noting that despite all attempts to achieve effective intercultural, interfaith and inter-civilizational dialogue, manifestations of xenophobia, racism, intolerance and ignorance of the achievements and potential of the policy of multiculturalism remain potent around the world;
- expressing our commitment to the policy of gender equality and ensuring the rights of people in vulnerable situations;
- highlighting the fact that the rights of ecological civilization as a goal of sustainable development can be affirmed only by taking into account the fundamental principles of humanitarian ethics and with the full mobilization of human potential;
- taking into account the enormous role of the mass media and information technology in developing humanitarian cooperation and need for humanity to constantly strive for that;
- having examined in the course of discussions and broad exchanges of views such aspects of global humanitarian problems as: • Ensuring new level of development for humanity in a new world • Taking advantage of modern achievements of science and education for human capital development and employing that capital as a main tool for development • Human capital as a major asset for development of innovative economy • Using methods and principles of sustainable development for progress and for reconciling differences • Promoting accuracy of information in media outlets • Intercultural dialogue as a critical factor for human development and for security and peace in the world
- we note that the work of the Baku International Humanitarian Forum will undoubtedly enhance and further develop international humanitarian cooperation;
- we think that investment in and perfection of human capital alone is the most important prerequisite in finding effective responses to contemporary challenges, just as it contributes to the improvement of managerial, production, scientific and information and communication technology directed at improving quality of life;
- we attest that significant success has been achieved in Azerbaijan in maintaining and increasing human capital overall, which has been an effective factor for achieving better results in inclusive and sustainable development;
- we acknowledge that the key humanitarian components of sustainable development are the development of human capital through the integration of cutting edge knowledge and skills, including interdisciplinary ones, in a programme of continuing education and also the expansion of cooperation in this field;
- we note the ever-growing role of information technology and the mass media in achieving the goals of organizing effective inter-civilizational, intercultural and interfaith dialogue;
- we pay special attention to the need to shape ideas of ecological civilization and encourage different movements in support of the introduction of rational models of consumption and production, an attitude of care towards natural resources and awareness of the need to take action on climate change;
- we call on all international and national structures specializing in humanitarian cooperation to hold regular forums, conferences and round tables aimed at fostering an atmosphere of tolerance and mutual respect and at meeting contemporary global and local challenges;
- we consider necessary the adoption of this declaration and its use in reinforcing cooperation in the humanitarian sphere.
