The Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan now says that there is an urgent need for dialogue amid growing global uncertainty and division.

According to Ms Haiyan, the dialogue is needed urgently because all civilisations, whether Chinese, African, or others, are equal and must be respected as such.

Speaking during a commemoration to mark the International Day for Dialogue among civilizations at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), the diplomat cautioned against using culture as a tool for division or hegemony, calling for a deeper cultural understanding and cooperation across the globe.

She expressed China’s commitment to fully implement the United Nations’ resolution that designates June 10 as the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.

“From hunter-gatherer societies to artificial intelligence, the torch of civilization has been passed down through generations. Today, more than ever, we need dialogues among flourishing civilizations to gain mutual understanding. There is a need for cultural exchange in bridging divides globally,” said Haiyan.

China, under the tutelage of President Xi Jinping, put forward the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). While advocating for this initiative, Ms Haiyan urged the international community to embrace mutual learning and cooperation as a way to transcend clashes.

“Whether Chinese or African, each civilization is equal. They are all fruitful results of human wisdom. Only when each country’s path of development is truly respected can diversity become a wellspring of appreciation. We gather to build friendship through dialogues, to reach common understanding through exchanges, and to harvest a full bloom in the garden of global civilizations.”

In her speech, Ms Haiyan often quoted African and Chinese proverbs to underscore the power of unity in addressing shared challenges. The GCI, put forward in March 2023, advocates respect for the diversity of civilizations, the common values of humanity, the importance of inheritance and innovation of civilizations, as well as robust international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.

On his part, Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON) Ababu Namwamba said that China has made yet another contribution to the long enduring Chinese civilization to making the world a better place for all.

“Through the sands of time, across diverse civilizations, the universal truism of our shared humanity has been proven beyond a morsel of doubt. Overall, African philosophy illuminates a worldview of a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity, the fundamental interconnectedness of all human beings,” said Namwamba.

Namwamba also advocated for dialogue and open discussion among people of the globe.

“Confucius strongly advocated for dialogue and open discussion as key tools for fostering human understanding and achieving a harmonious society. He believed that engaging in thoughtful conversations, especially with those who held different perspectives, was essential for learning, self-improvement, and cultivating virtuous behaviour,” said Namwamba.

He added: “Confucius recognized that misunderstandings and disagreements could lead to conflict, and he saw dialogue as a way to bridge these differences and foster a more harmonious society. He believed that by engaging in respectful and constructive dialogue, individuals could find common ground and build stronger relationships.”

GCI was was adopted by consensus at the 78th UN General Assembly in 2024, and is observed annually.

In his message, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that dialogue was critical in fostering global unity and cooperation.

“Dialogue is essential for building bridges of understanding and trust,” Guterres said in a statement read on his behalf by UNON Director General Zainab Hawa Bangura. “This day is a call to action to listen, speak, and connect. Let us answer it with humanity. Let’s listen with open hearts and open minds. Let’s choose dialogue over division and let us decide to be one human family, rich in diversity, united in solidarity, and equal in dignity and human rights.”

The Nairobi celebration is one of several taking place globally to mark the first International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.

A series of commemorations will also be held at the UN headquarters and offices in Geneva, Vienna, Paris, Rome and Bangkok among other countries.