On June 10, the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) held an event at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok to commemorate the first United Nations International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. Over 200 attendees included UN Under-Secretary-General and ESCAP Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, foreign envoys to Thailand from multiple countries, and representatives of international organizations.  

    Participants watched a video message by Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, delivered to the global thematic event for the first International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.  

     (Photo provided by Xinhua News Agency Bangkok Bureau)

    Ye Xuenong, China’s Permanent Representative to ESCAP, introduced the Global Civilization Initiative and stated that as a key birthplace of human civilizations, the Asia-Pacific region should leverage this commemoration to deepen exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, injecting spiritual momentum into building an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future. Alisjahbana, representatives from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and ambassadors to Thailand from Cambodia, Russia, South Africa, Egypt, and other countries delivered remarks, commending China for initiating and hosting the event and its efforts to promote dialogue among civilizations. They affirmed that such dialogue is crucial for addressing global challenges, advancing peace and cooperation, and supporting sustainable development, unanimously recognizing it as an important pathway to resolve conflicts and strengthen solidarity and collaboration. Youth representatives from China, Cambodia, and Thailand also shared the unique perspectives of the younger generation on dialogue among civilizations.  

    Alisjahbana and other attendees paused to view the long scroll of the Declaration on Civilizations, enjoyed Chinese and Kazakh folk dances, visited the civilization fair exhibitions, and experienced the unique charms of civilizations across the Asia-Pacific through immersive activities such as tasting traditional cuisines.  

    (Photo provided by Xinhua News Agency Bangkok Bureau)

    Initiated by China, the event was co-hosted by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the embassies of Russia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Malaysia, and Vanuatu in Thailand, and the ESCAP secretariat.