GENEVA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- An event celebrating the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, which falls on June 10, was held on Monday at the headquarters of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in Geneva.
The event, themed "Equal Dialogue among Civilizations for a Better Future through Multilateral Cooperation," attracted the participation of more than 200 people, including permanent representatives and senior diplomats from over 50 countries, heads of international organizations, and media representatives.
Addressing the event, Jia Guide, China's permanent representative and ambassador to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, said the world is undergoing profound changes nowadays, and people worldwide aspire to peace, development, and cooperation. However, narratives such as the "clash of civilizations" and notions of superiority of certain civilization still persist.
Against the backdrop, dialogue among civilizations is more relevant and necessary than ever, Jia noted.
For her part, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said that the UN General Assembly's establishment of the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations reaffirms that all cultures and civilizations have contributed to enrichment of humankind, and that mutual respect, cooperation and tolerance are the foundations for building a peaceful world.
UN Office at Geneva Director-General Tatiana Valovaya emphasized that the international community should not only focus on multilateral diplomacy, but also recognize that dialogue is the foundation of the UN system. The UN can move forward through cooperation, promoting a world towards more equality, more inclusiveness, and being more interconnected.
During the event, political leaders, scholars, and representatives from various sectors from multiple countries engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as "how ancient civilizations can be revitalized in the present day", and called for translating consensus on civilizations into effective governance.
A series of exhibitions and cultural performances were also held during the event, which was jointly organized by the permanent mission of China to the UN office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, the State Council Information Office of China, and the International Confucian Association.
Proposed by China and co-sponsored by over 80 countries, a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly in June 2024 designated June 10 as the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. ■