We assemble scores of current and former heads of state or government who are not burdened by active day to day politics. They, together with dozens of academics from 60 countries worldwide, efficiently discuss pressing world issues and draw up recommendations based on their vast expertise and knowledge for the good of mankind. The Baku Forums held annually with scores of former and current heads of state or government and representatives of worldwide academia are an excellent venue for vibrant discussions and analyses how to make the world a better, more tolerant and safer place. The two-day discussions held in the framework of each Global Baku Forum focus on a range of topical global issues, including ethnic and other conflicts, terror threats, development of democracy, education, environment, energy security, inter- religious dialogue, and the role of women in maintaining peace. NGIC is firmly convinced that in a very unsafe and unstable world that we now live in, every conference like the Baku Forum which seeks ways to remedy the current problems, to promote religious, ideological and other tolerance, human rights and freedoms is not just necessary but indispensable as that precious platform from which divergent views are heard and discussed, for the betterment of us all. NGIC also organizes regional conferences with its local partners to assess issues and offer remedies to problems plaguing a given region. We draw our strength and wisdom not only from our members today, but also from our illustrious forefather Nizami Ganjavi, a 12th-century Azerbaijani poet, considered the greatest romantic epic poet in the world literature. His poetry has influenced the development of Azeri, Arabic, Turkish, Kurdish and Urdu poetry amongst many other languages but also modern writers and musicians like Eric Clapton whose global hit "Layla" was inspired by Nizami's story of "Layla and Majnun".