UN marks inaugural International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations

The United Nations marked its first-ever "International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations" on Tuesday.

In 2024, the 78th UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a China-led resolution with 82 co-sponsors, establishing June 10 as the annual International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations.

A special event was held Monday at the UN headquarters in New York to celebrate the day meant to serve as a clarion call for promoting peaceful co-existence among all nations through global discourse, greater cooperation and mutual respect.

The Chinese mission to the UN also hosted celebration activities on Monday, attended by over 1,000 people, including senior diplomats from various UN missions, UN Secretariat officials, and local New Yorkers.

"We do hope that this spirit of dialogue will be carried forward, and as people say, will yield some concrete results in harmonizing relations among countries," said Fu Cong, permanent representative of China to the UN.

The day was observed around the world. The premier event in New York included a symposium with dignitaries and academics. They discussed the need to fortify "global solidarity and cooperation" through shared values and open communication.

"There is no alternative. More and more we need dialogue. We need to respect each other. It's over - the hegemony of one country, one culture or one civilization, it's over. Today, everybody says we are a multipolar world -- different actors, different cultures, different relations, different civilizations, so it's a reality," said UN Under Secretary General Miguel Angel Moratinos.

Attendees said musical performances, drama and multimedia artwork on display also help underscore the importance of using cultural awareness as a bridge to dialogue.

"Any dialogue starts with the understanding of each other, and of course, without knowing the history and culture, you wouldn't be able to find this common ground," said Anna Evstigneeva, deputy permanent representative of the Russian Federation to the UN.

UN marks inaugural International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations

UN marks inaugural International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that Iran has obtained extensive documents and evidence linking the recent unrest across the country to the U.S. and Israel, noting that Mossad agents attempted to direct such "terrorist acts."

Araghchi said at a press conference in Tehran that since Dec 28, 2025, Iran had seen peaceful demonstrations organized by industry associations and economic professional. In the following days, more participants joined, and the situation gradually escalated from peaceful rallies into violent clashes.

Beginning on Jan 8, terrorists and armed groups carrying weapons entered protest sites and opened fire on police and civilians, with the aim of steering demonstrations toward violence, bloodshed and chaos, he said.

"Israeli media reports are rife with claims that Israel has designed and conducted operations in Iran. Mr. [Mike] Pompeo, who was Trump's CIA director, said on his X that 'Happy New Year to every Iranian in the streets. Also to every Mossad agent walking beside them.' This clearly shows that Mossad agents attempted to direct such terrorist acts," the minister said. Addressing military threats from the U.S. and Israel, Araghchi said Iran does not seek war but is fully prepared to face up to war. He added that Iran is ready for serious and pragmatic negotiations with the U.S., but the talks must be based on fairness, equality and mutual respect, rather than unilateral pressure or directives from Washington.

On the same day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the U.S. and Israel at a regular press briefing in Tehran. He said the two countries have made "extensive interventionist remarks" regarding Iran's situation, saying such statements are intended to foment chaos, violence and instability.

The spokesman said Iran is closely monitoring the development of the situation and remains fully prepared, warning that Iran's armed forces will respond to any act of aggression by its enemies.

Mossad agents attempt to direct terrorist acts: Iranian FM