Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan speaking during the International day for dialogue among civilizations at the United Nations, Nairobi on June 10, 2026/LEAH MUKANGAI
China on Wednesday used a high-profile event in Nairobi to urge nations to embrace dialogue over confrontation.
Beijing said growing global conflicts, widening inequalities, and rapid technological change demand greater cooperation among civilisations.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the call in a video message played during celebrations marking the International Day for Dialogue among Civilisations at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON).
He called on countries to strengthen understanding and mutual trust through dialogue.
The event, hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Kenya and attended by diplomats, UN officials, and development experts, positioned Nairobi as a key platform for China's efforts to promote dialogue among civilisations and a shared future for humanity.
“We are facing unprecedented challenges,” Wang said in the recorded address.
UNON and UNEP permanent representative of Kenya Ida Odinga, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan, United Nations office at Nairobi director-general Zainab Bangura and China academy of urban planning and design vice president Zheng Degao during the International day for dialogue among civilizations at the United Nations, Nairobi on June 10, 2026/LEAH MUKANGAI
Wang outlined a four-point approach to advancing dialogue among civilisations.
He called for mutual respect and harmonious coexistence through equality, inclusiveness, and mutual learning among cultures.
The minister said there is a need to ensure that the benefits of cultural exchanges are widely shared.
“China is willing to enhance dialogue among civilisations with all countries and deepen exchanges of experience in state governance in order to jointly solve the problems of the times and work together to broaden the path of world modernisation,” Wang said.
The minister also stressed the importance of preserving cultural heritage while embracing innovation.
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan and UNON and UNEP permanent representative of Kenya Ida Odinga during the International day for dialogue among civilisations at the United Nations, Nairobi on June 10, 2026/LEAH MUKANGAI
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan said dialogue among civilisations was the way out of complex challenges and deepening divisions.
“Dialogue among civilisations will lay a solid cultural and people-to-people foundation for building a community with a shared future for mankind,” Guo said.
Echoing Wang’s remarks, she said nations should champion mutual respect, people-centred exchanges, cultural innovation, and stronger dialogue mechanisms.
“We should champion mutual respect and promote harmonious coexistence of civilisations," she said.
Dance performance during the International day for dialogue among civilizations at the United Nations, Nairobi on June 10, 2026/LEAH MUKANGAI
Dance performance during the International day for dialogue among civilisations at the United Nations, Nairobi on June 10, 2026/LEAH MUKANGAI
Guo noted that mutual learning among civilisations should extend beyond cultural exchanges to support development and improve livelihoods.
“Mutual learning among civilisations is reflected not only in the exchange of ideas but also in the pursuit of common development, projects that improve people's livelihoods, and the realisation of modernisation aspirations,” she said.
United Nations office at Nairobi director-general Zainab Bangura, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan, UNON and UNEP permanent representative of Kenya Ida Odinga and China academy of urban planning and design vice president Zheng Degao during the International day for dialogue among civilizations at the United Nations, Nairobi on June 10, 2026/LEAH MUKANGAI
“There are no identical development paths in the world,” she said, adding that China's modernisation is grounded in Chinese civilisation, while Africa's modernisation draws from its own cultures and experiences.
The ambassador also highlighted China's Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilisation Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative as complementary frameworks for addressing international challenges.
“These four global initiatives are interconnected and mutually reinforcing, with development as the foundation, security as the guarantee, civilisation as the bond, and governance as the key,” she said.
UNON Director-General Zainab Hawa Bangura delivered a message from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who warned that the world is navigating a period of profound uncertainty.
“We are living through a period of turbulence and transformation. Conflicts are raging, inequalities are widening, and evolving technologies, from AI to clean energy, present us with difficult choices about the future we want to create,” Guterres said.
“There is a path for dialogue between nations, cultures, and faiths.”
Bangura said the UN views dialogue as one of the most effective tools for addressing global challenges, building trust, and “transforming diversity into a source of strength rather than division".
She noted that as geopolitical tensions rise and societies become increasingly interconnected, “sustained engagement among cultures and nations is essential for peace, development, and multilateral cooperation".
Kenya's Permanent Representative to UNON and UNEP, Ambassador Ida Odinga, said humanity's interconnectedness makes dialogue and cooperation indispensable.
“It is about closing divides to stand together,” Odinga said.
“We must share knowledge and make efforts to learn from each other if we desire to be together. This understanding is what fosters respect among people and helps nations build friendly relationships.”
The event also featured a presentation by Zheng Degao, Vice President of the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design, who linked dialogue among civilisations to practical cooperation in urban development and modernisation.
Zheng said China had spent the past decade implementing the UN's New Urban Agenda through a people-centred approach aimed at creating inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities.
“Cities should be built by the people and for the people,” he said.
He highlighted China's efforts to improve housing, neighbourhoods, communities, and urban districts while expanding access to healthcare, education, elderly care, and other public services.
Zheng said China had also sought to preserve cultural heritage and integrate traditional culture into modern urban life, demonstrating that development and cultural preservation can advance together.
He further pointed to innovation-driven growth and green development as pillars of China's urban transformation, saying the country remains committed to sharing experiences and working with other nations to advance sustainable urbanisation.
“China is ready to work with all countries to advance the New Urban Agenda and contribute to a better urban future for humanity,” Zheng said.
