During the opening ceremony, Shanbaz Khan, director of Unesco’s multisectoral office for the East Asia region, recalled that Nanjing was the first Chinese city to win the title of International City of Peace, awarded by that organization.

On the other hand, he urged global development through peace, which would allow for a sustainable future, inclusion, more rights and dialogue.

According to the professor, these objectives are part of Unesco’s purpose and in this sense, he celebrated the achievements of this Chinese city after its painful historical past following Japan’s invasion in 1937.

The secretary general of the Chinese National Commission for Unesco, Qin Changwei, considered of great importance to jointly explore strategies for development, share the achievements of civilization and exchange experiences.

“Peace is the most enduring and strongest long-cherished desire of mankind, only in this way can society prosper and develop,” he emphasized.

He also called for world peace to be maintained, but acknowledged that this “requires a joint effort by all countries and sectors.

“This issue faces great challenges in the middle of a complex international scenario,” he added during the ceremony.

For her part, Zoon Ahmed Khan, Pakistani researcher at the Center for China and Globalization, defended the need to build a shared future among all and urged finding unity, despite the differences between peoples.

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