People visit a photo exhibition at a seminar commemorating the "International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations" in Erbil, Iraq, June 17, 2026. A seminar commemorating the "International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations" was held on Wednesday in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan region, bringing together over 300 government officials, experts, and scholars from Iraq, Jordan, and China.(Xinhua/Li Jun)
ERBIL, Iraq, June 17 (Xinhua) -- A seminar commemorating the "International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations" was held on Wednesday in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan region, bringing together over 300 government officials, experts, and scholars from Iraq, Jordan, and China.
Co-organized by the Chinese Consulate General in Erbil and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) Research Center, the event was themed "Towards a Multipolar World and a Shared Future for Mankind."
Liu Jun, Chinese consul general in Erbil, said in his opening remarks that despite differences in culture and language, China and Iraq share a common desire for peace, respect for history, and pursuit of a better life.
Amid global turbulence, division and confrontation lead nowhere, while dialogue and inclusivity are the true sources of wisdom for achieving mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, Liu stressed, adding that China stands ready to work with all sectors in Iraq and its Kurdistan region to implement the GCI, deepen people-to-people exchanges, and enhance mutual trust.
Safeen Dizayee, head of the Kurdistan Regional Government's Department of Foreign Relations, emphasized the importance of meaningful dialogue in promoting understanding, cooperation, and building a more peaceful world. He also expressed willingness to strengthen civilization exchanges and mutual learning with China.
Kawa Mahmoud, president of the GCI Research Center, noted that dialogue is the essential path to deepening mutual learning, promoting harmonious coexistence, and respecting cultural diversity, adding that it is also a key way for human society to achieve modernization and move toward a community with a shared future for humanity.
Established in December 2025 and headquartered in Erbil, the GCI Research Center is a non-governmental organization dedicated to the study of Chinese philosophies and theories. ■
People attend a seminar commemorating the "International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations" in Erbil, Iraq, June 17, 2026. A seminar commemorating the "International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations" was held on Wednesday in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan region, bringing together over 300 government officials, experts, and scholars from Iraq, Jordan, and China.(Xinhua/Li Jun)
