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The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), in collaboration with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Kenya, hosted a vibrant event on Thursday to mark the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations. The event underscored the importance of intercultural understanding in a world that is increasingly divided.
In her keynote address, UNON Director-General Zainab Hawa Bangura highlighted that dialogue is the foundation for lasting peace and global solidarity.
“Today, that mission is more urgent than ever. Where dialogue is missing, ignorance fills the void. Around the world, we hear rising voices of intolerance, xenophobia, and hate speech, often amplified by online misinformation,” she stated.
Bangura asserted that in today’s fractured world, dialogue is not optional but essential for bridging divides and building trust.
Her sentiments were echoed by the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Kenya, Guo Haiyan, who spoke on the transformative power of cultural exchange amid rising global polarization.
“With regional conflicts ebbing and flowing, the world is faced with profound changes unseen in a century and grappled with complex challenges intertwined with uncertainties. Standing at a historical crossroad, humanity is in urgent need of great ideas shedding light on the way forward and open minds to bridge cultural divides,” she remarked.
Ambassador Guo stressed that no country can overcome global challenges alone, and that cultural diversity should serve as a catalyst for unity, not division.
“To build a global community with a shared future, each civilization should embrace harmony through diversity and seek common ground while respecting differences,” Guo said.
“Whether Chinese or African, each civilization is equal. They are all fruitful results of human wisdom. Only when each country’s path of development has been truly respected, can the diversity of civilizations become a wellspring of understanding and appreciation,” she added.
The ambassador highlighted the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, which advocates for respect for civilizational diversity, mutual learning, inclusiveness, and cooperation among all nations. She noted that the GCI has received strong support from UN member states and offers a visionary and practical framework for fostering dialogue globally.
“China is committed to working with all parties to fully implement the resolution, jointly promote the GCI, carry forward dialogues, and make greater contributions to the progress of human society,” she said
Kenya’s Permanent Representative to UNON and UNEP, Ababu Namwamba, addressed the gathering, making a case for dialogue grounded in mutual respect.
“Dialogue must be rooted in mutual respect, a shared commitment to peace, and an understanding of one another’s perspectives in order to build a harmonious global community,” said Namwamba.
Namwamba praised China’s leadership in spearheading the successful adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution that designated June 10 as the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations, a resolution co-sponsored by over 80 countries.
“This isn’t just another date on the UN calendar; it is a rallying symbol for a truly multilateral world,” he stated. “I commend the People’s Republic of China, under the visionary leadership of President Xi Jinping, for the foresight that has made this day a reality on the UN calendar. This is yet another contribution of the long, enduring Chinese civilization to making the world a better place for all.”
The commemorative event showcased a vibrant display of Chinese and African culture, featuring musical performances, traditional dances, acrobatics, a fashion show, food tasting, and the screening of the film “The Wandering Earth 2.”
