Mr President,

It is my honour and privilege to introduce draft resolution A/78/L.75, titled  “International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations”, on behalf of the following countries: Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Khazakstan, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Uganda, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and my own country China.

Today, confronted with multiple cascading and interlocking crises and challenges, as well as widening peace deficit, development deficit, trust deficit and governance deficit, our world is entering a new era of instability and change, putting humanity once again at the crossroads of history, where the calls for solidarity, dialogue and cooperation have never been louder. Dialogue among civilizations is an effective means to eliminate discrimination and prejudice, enhance mutual understanding and trust, promote greater interrelatedness among peoples and strengthen solidarity and cooperation. There is, in fact, no alternative to such dialogue. The United Nations will be holding the Summit of the Future in September this year, with a view to finding systemic solutions to the current challenges. At this pivotal juncture in history, for the UN General Assembly to send a positive message that advocates dialogue among civilizations and encourages and facilitates intercivilizational exchanges and mutual learning would be particularly relevant. It was in this context that China and the other 14 members of the Core Group tabled a draft GA resolution on designating an International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. 

The draft resolution reaffirms that all civilizational achievements constitute the collective heritage of humankind. It notes that civilizations takes diverse forms across time and space and flourish in contact with others. 

The draft resolution emphasizes that dialogue among civilizations contributes to an improved awareness and understanding of the universal values of humankind, encourages tolerance, peaceful coexisitence, respect and cooperation among different civilizations, contributes to seek common ground among civilizations in order to comprehensively address challenges facing humanity; and to promoting international peace and security, human welfare, freedom and progress everywhere. 

The draft resolution emphasizes that participating in dialogue among civilizations should be global in scope and open to all. It recognizes the need for civilizations and cultures to be preserved, enhanced and handed on, and the need for international exchanges and cooperation among cultures and peoples. 

The draft resolution contains a decision to declare 10 June the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, in order to raise awareness of the value of the diversity of civilizations and promote dialogue, mutual respect, tolerance and global solidarity in this regard. 

The Chinese delegation, in a spirit of openness and transparency, conducted two rounds of informal consultations, during which we fully engaged with Member States and took on board their constructive proposals. On behalf of the Core Group, I wish to thank all the countries that showed interest, care and support for the draft resolution. We look forward to its adoption by the General Assembly by consensus. The draft resolution already has a good number of cosponsors. We welcome a longer list of cosponsors ahead of its adoption. I also wish to take this opportunity to register our gratitude to the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the Unted Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for their valuable support to the draft resolution. 

Mr President, 

The draft resolution invites all Member States and organizations of the UN system, as well as other international and regional organizations and other relevant stakeholders to commemorate the International Day in an appropriate manner. It further invites UNESCO and the UN Alliance of Civilizations with other relevant entities of the United Nations to facilitate the observance of the International Day. China encourages all stakeholders to organise many-splendoured events and activities in observance of the International Day, guided by the GA resolution, informed by the Global Agenda for Dialogue among Civilizations of the General Assembly, and based upon their respective contexts, with a focus on the following key dimensions: 

One, advocating respect for the diversity of civilizations. Diversity drives human progress. Civilizations may differ geographically or have different characteristics, but no civilization is better than or superior to the next one. The spirit of equality and respect must prevail, and intercivilizational exchanges and mutual learning must be promoted in our quest for common progress and prosperity. 

Two, promoting universal values common to humanity. These values, namely, peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, constitute the spiritual bond that connects all civilizations. It is important to respect different civilizations’ efforts to explore and pursue the paths towards realising those values. Seeking common ground while reserving differences is the key to common development and progress.

Three, giving due regard to the intergenerational transmission of, and innovation in, civilizations. Civilizations would do well to assimilate and integrate the strengths of other civilizations through exchange, dialogue and mutual learning among them, so they can stay relevant while passing on the best of their traditions and give their time-honoured heritage a new lease of life. 

Four, galvanising interaction and cooperation among cultures and peoples. Cultural exchange and sharing of feelings can build bridges that bring nations and peoples closer together with greater mutual understanding and trust. We must break down the artificial barriers that stand in the way, in the interest of better understanding and greater affinity among our peoples.

Thank you, Mr President.