Coinciding with the arrival of the new millennium, the Universal Forum of Cultures was founded in order to foster a public commitment to dialogue, creativity and common sense in a quest for development that is just, humane, sustainable and peaceful. Based in Barcelona, the Foundation aims to spread the ideas and commitments of the Forum as well as to encourage the holding of further events of a similar nature.

The Universal Forum of Cultures Foundation, a private body, was established in July 2004 by the three branches of the civil service that organised the initial event – the Barcelona City Council, the Generalitat (Government of Catalonia) and the Spanish Government. It currently enjoys the support of 21 trustees and is linked to a network of three thousand thinkers from all over the world.

In its varied activities it works with a number of United Nations agencies.