June 11, 2025— June 10th 2025, marked the inaugural commemoration of the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilisations.
Among the highlights of the celebration was a gathering at the United Nations Headquarters in the United States, which included a feature address by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. In his presentation via video message, Minister Wang Yi called for equality and more exchanges between civilisations. He stated, “Dialogue among civilizations is a bond of peace. On the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the UN, peace remains the common pursuit of all people worldwide. Dialogue among civilizations helps bridge divides and eliminate prejudice, which will reinforce the basis for mutual trust and safeguard common security“.
Wang noted that President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Civilization Initiative, advocating for the promotion of shared human values, emphasizing the inheritance and innovation of civilisations, and strengthening international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. This represents a significant effort made by China to promote dialogue among civilizations. China proposes three approaches to advancing dialogue among civilizations.
First, uphold the principle of equality among civilisations. This includes respecting the development paths and social systems independently chosen by the people of all countries and rejecting the clash of civilisations. The principle of equality also demands no interference in internal affairs, resisting unilateral bullying, and shared equality and dignity.
Secondly, they should act as practitioners of exchanges among civilisations. Wisdom from dialogue among civilizations is needed to address global challenges and broaden the path to global modernization. The foreign minister indicated that China is actively considering hosting the 2028 UN Alliance of Civilisations Global Forum.
Third, it is imperative to promote civilisation progress. It requires facilitating the flow of ideas, technologies, and people. Leverage emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence to aid civilizations’ inheritance and innovation, continuously enriching shared material and spiritual wealth.
The Chinese mission to the UN hosted events in New York on Monday to celebrate the day. Over 1,000 people attended, including senior diplomats from various UN missions, UN Secretariat officials, and local New Yorkers.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization headquarters in Paris and the United Nations Office at Nairobi held activities on Thursday to celebrate the day.
In 2024, the 78th UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a China-led resolution with eighty-two co-sponsors, establishing June 10 as the annual International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations.
In a video address to the gathering at the UN Headquarters, Secretary-General António Guterres stated, “The United Nations was built on a fundamental conviction: dialogue is the path to peace. On this First International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations, we celebrate that conviction and the rich diversity of civilizations as a force to promote mutual understanding and global solidarity. Today, that mission is more urgent than ever.” He reminded that in the absence of dialogue, ignorance fills the void. That dialogue is therefore essential “for building bridges of understanding and trust.”
He emphasised that the work of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations is building on two decades of sustained efforts for a global platform . Secretary-General Guterres closed his presentation by reminding us to “Strive to be one human family, rich in diversity, united in solidarity, and equal in dignity and human rights.“