UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a message on the International Day for Tolerance, UN representation in Azerbaijan told APA. The message says: “Tolerance does not mean indifference or a grudging acceptance of others. It is a way of life based on mutual understanding and respect for others, and on the belief that global diversity is to be embraced, not feared. The United Nations promotes tolerance on many fronts. It is part of our work for peace, conflict prevention, democratization and human rights.”

“Through the Alliance of Civilizations and UNESCO’s many educational and inter-cultural initiatives, we promote dialogue and combat intolerance and extremism.. And we continue to press ahead with the articulation of laws and standards, such as the adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2007 and the creation that same year of the UN Forum on Minority Issues. On this International Day for Tolerance, let us to pledge to mobilize against intolerance. For our most vulnerable communities, and for all humanity, let us work together to promote tolerance,” the message says.