On 6 May 2017, the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe programme was presented during the plenary session “The Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe as networks for intercultural dialogue” at the 4th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue “Advancing Intercultural Dialogue: New Avenues for Human Security, Peace and Sustainable Development” (Baku, Azerbaijan).

The session was opened by Nazim Samadov, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Stefano Dominioni, Executive Secretary, Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes, which presented an overview of the Cultural Routes Programme: values, methodology, criteria for certification, as well as examples of intercultural dialogue along the certified cultural routes, programme illustrating the ability to live together peacefully in diversity. A specific focus was dedicated to the Prehistoric Rock Art Trails (by Ramon Montes), Iter Vitis (by Emanuela Panke), Saint Olav Ways (by Hans Morten Lovrod) and the Routes of the Olive Tree (by Denise de Roux).

The session also held the ceremony for the adhesion of Azerbaijan to the Prehistoric Rock Art Trails network, in presence of Mr Abulfaz Garayev, Minister of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan.