Beijing (TDI) The Ministerial Meeting on the Global Civilization Dialogue commenced today in Beijing, gathering over 600 delegates from nearly 140 countries and regions under the theme “Safeguarding Diversity of Human Civilizations for World Peace and Development.”
The two-day conference, being held on July 10–11, is a flagship initiative under Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Global Civilisation Initiative, reflecting China’s growing emphasis on cross-cultural engagement and international dialogue.
Organized jointly by the Publicity and International Departments of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event aims to foster mutual respect and cooperation among civilizations through cultural heritage, innovation, media, and people-to-people exchanges.
President Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of the People’s Republic of China, conveyed a congratulatory message emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and shared values among civilizations as the basis for lasting global peace.
His remarks were followed by a keynote address delivered by Cai Qi, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau and Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat, reinforcing China’s commitment to promoting civilizational diversity and inclusive development.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also shared a congratulatory message with the participants, highlighting the significance of dialogue across cultures in today’s fragmented world.
The high-level opening session featured distinguished global voices including former Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri, former Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba, former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, and former Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme. Each of them spoke about the pressing need to foster understanding in an era defined by cultural polarization and geopolitical uncertainty.
The session concluded with a unique “Story Sharing” segment moderated by CGTN anchor Wang Guan. Narrators included Elyn MacInnis from the United States, Kenyan student Jamlick Kariuki from Beijing Jiaotong University, and Simon Lichtenberg, founding chairman of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China. These firsthand testimonies illustrated the tangible outcomes of the Global Civilization Initiative as envisioned by President Xi Jinping, offering practical examples of dialogue transforming lives and communities.
The event’s launch marked the beginning of what is being seen as a historic effort to shape a multilateral cultural consensus in a time of global turbulence. The Global Civilization Initiative, introduced by President Xi in 2023, advocates mutual learning among civilizations, respect for diversity, and inclusive partnerships as key pillars for a peaceful world order.
Pakistan is also taking part in the dialogue at a ministerial level, with Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar scheduled to speak during a sub-forum on “Civilization Exchange and Mutual Learning: Cultural Heritage and Innovation.” His visit reflects Islamabad’s support for civilizational harmony and deeper media and cultural cooperation with Beijing.
The ministerial meeting is expected to conclude on Thursday with a formal outcome document, encapsulating the collective vision and commitments of participating nations.
The Ministerial Conference on Global Civilization Dialogue is expected to conclude tomorrow with a joint statement affirming the collective commitment of participating nations to uphold cultural diversity, support inclusive development, and promote peace through civilizational understanding.
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