BEIJING, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Scholars, experts and political figures from around the world convened in Beijing on Thursday to engage in an in-depth dialogue on civilization, highlighting cultural diversity and cooperation in a world grappling with turbulence and uncertainty.

"Dialogue is essential in a world fractured by conflict, intolerance and misinformation," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a congratulatory message delivered to the opening ceremony of the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting.

Under the theme of "Safeguarding Diversity of Human Civilizations for World Peace and Development," the two-day event has attracted over 600 guests from approximately 140 countries and regions.

At the opening ceremony, several speakers expressed concerns over growing global instability, from escalating regional conflicts to the rising tide of de-globalization.

It is precisely because of these ongoing tensions that the Global Civilization Initiative has taken on even greater significance, according to the participants.

Put forward by China in 2023, the foresighted vision advocates respect for the diversity of global civilizations, the promotion of the common values of humanity, the emphasis on cultural inheritance and innovation, and enhanced international people-to-people exchange and cooperation.

Exploring solutions to global challenges, participants have proposed dialogue over division, and understanding over conflict, calling on stakeholders to work together to enrich human civilization, strengthen cultural inheritance and innovation, and reinforce people-to-people exchange.

"The rich diversity of civilizations is a powerful force for mutual understanding and global solidarity," Guterres said in his message.

Participants at the meeting also lauded China's consistent efforts to drive human development through inclusiveness and cooperation.

China has strengthened its connection with the world through the Belt and Road Initiative, and built an international consensus via the Global Development Initiative, said Yukio Hatoyama, former prime minister of Japan. And by proposing the vision of a community with a shared future for all, it has helped transcend hegemonic logic, acknowledge cultural diversity, and inject sustainable Eastern wisdom into global governance, he added.

Eying a mechanism for the Global South countries to build a future free from inequity and hegemony, Megawati Soekarnoputri, general chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle and former president of Indonesia, said that dialogue alone is not enough.

"We must return to the core values of civilization. History has proven that the rise and fall of civilizations always depend on the choice of human," she added.

Before Thursday's meeting, international guests toured cities such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, Qufu and Dunhuang to gain firsthand insight into the Chinese civilization.

Welisarage Keerthipala Perera, an assistant to the minister of Buddhasasana, religious and cultural affairs of Sri Lanka, expressed his admiration of the ancient Buddhist murals at the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, northwest China. He believes that dialogue on global civilization is vital, as enhanced mutual understanding can help resolve conflicts.

"The key is to maintain dialogue and deepen mutual understanding," Fabrice Edouard Piault, a French publishing professional, told Xinhua. "This meeting strengthens ties between nations. That's precisely why it matters."

At parallel sub-forums on Friday, participants will explore the crucial role of inter-civilization exchange and mutual learning in building an inclusive world, and in promoting global development and prosperity, cultural inheritance and innovation, understanding and friendship among peoples, scientific and technological progress, and academic exchange.

The event is co-hosted by the Publicity Department and the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.