Ambassador Hossam Zaki, Assistant Secretary-General of the League
of Arab States, participated in the inaugural session of the Liangzhou
Forum for Dialogue of Civilisations held on 3 December in Hangzhou.
Representing Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League
of Arab States, Ambassador Zaki delivered a speech underscoring the
forum's significance against the backdrop of regional and international
changes. He emphasised the need to bolster ties between the Arab and
Chinese sides across various domains. The overarching goal is to realise
comprehensive and sustainable development for societies.
Ambassador Zaki highlighted the vital role of constructive and
effective dialogue, particularly in the face of the current crises such
as the distressing scenes of war and destruction in Gaza. He condemned
the heinous crimes committed by the occupying power against the
Palestinian people.
In his address, Ambassador Zaki underscored the crucial need to
prioritise dialogue among diverse civilisations and cultures as a means
to foster respect and mutual understanding among people, rejecting any
forms of conflict or clash between civilisations. He further highlighted
the significance of upholding the principles outlined in the Riyadh
Declaration, issued during the inaugural Arab-Chinese summit at the
close of the preceding year. The declaration emphasised the commitment
to universal values encompassing peace, development, justice, equity,
and democracy.
Notably, on the sidelines of the forum, a joint statement was
formally endorsed between the General Secretariat of the League of Arab
States and the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism. This agreement
marked the commencement of the "Global Civilisations" initiative,
initiated by Mr. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of
China, in mid-March. The initiative symbolises a robust and positive
impetus towards expediting the development process and constructing
societies founded on principles of respect and cultural diversity.
During the forum, Zaki held a meeting with His Excellency Mr. Sun
Yehli, the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of
China. The discussions centred on various dimensions of cooperation
between the two sides, with a specific focus on cultural collaboration.
The dialogue resulted in the formalisation of a memorandum of
understanding between the two parties in August 2023. Zaki said he looks
forward to activating this agreement in a manner that would lead to the
realisation of common interests and priorities, especially for the Arab
countries, and particularly for those experiencing wars and armed
conflicts. The envisioned implementation involves providing programmes
and activities aimed at supporting capacity building and the
reconstruction of cultural institutions in these conflict-affected
nations.
