Over 600 delegates from 140 countries and regions gathered in Beijing on Thursday for the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting, a high-profile initiative to foster cross-cultural cooperation. The event, themed 'Safeguarding Diversity of Human Civilizations for World Peace and Development,' comes as geopolitical rivalries threaten to overshadow shared human heritage.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized in his opening remarks that 'civilizational diversity is humanity's greatest asset,' urging participants to 'reject zero-sum mentalities.' The conference features panel discussions on topics ranging from digital-era cultural preservation to sustainable development through indigenous knowledge systems.
Notable attendees include UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and representatives from conflict-affected regions like Ukraine and Sudan. A working group proposal to establish an international cultural exchange database received strong preliminary support from ASEAN and African delegates.
For business leaders, parallel sessions explore how cultural intelligence can mitigate risks in emerging markets. Academics highlighted the event's timing ahead of September's UN General Assembly debates on multilateralism.
The meeting concludes Friday with a joint declaration expected to outline practical steps for protecting endangered languages and heritage sites. With participants representing 85% of the world's population, organizers aim to create what one delegate called 'a roadmap for peaceful coexistence in turbulent times.'
