China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi addressed the United Nations Ancient Civilizations Forum (ACForum) on Wednesday where he stressed the importance of collaboration and communication.

Foreign ministers from ACForum member states, including Greek foreign minister Nikos Dendias, Bolivian foreign minister Diego Pary, and Armenian foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, attended the ministerial meeting.

"From the civilization and communication aspect, we can play a bigger role and contribute more to the peaceful development of the world," Wang said. "We should not be afraid of the challenges."

According to Wang, culture is the most enduring power, which embraces values that transcend time and space and are of lasting appeal. We should draw upon wisdom and experience from millennia-old civilizations, which can be a source of solutions to problems we face today.

The ministers achieved four agreements. They believe that different countries, ethnic groups and civilizations should respect and treat each other as equals, stay open and inclusive, learn from each other, and oppose all forms of xenophobia and discrimination against civilizations.

Exchanges and dialogue between different parties should be strengthened, to find new solutions to world peace and development from time-honored civilizations.

They also agreed to safeguard multilateralism, uphold the international system with the UN at its core, and work on the basis of international law.

In addition, the forum will further promote more practical cooperation and enhance connection with more international institutions, including UNESCO, to expand its influence.

The ACForum was created in 2017 by China, Greece, Bolivia, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Italy and Peru. Armenia joined in last year.

The countries span several ancient civilizations: Egyptian, Roman, Persian, Chinese, Mesopotamian, and Andean, and represent more than 40 percent of the world's population.

Their aim is to "transform culture into a source of soft power and a fundamental tool of a modern and multidimensional foreign policy" and highlight cultural cooperation for economic development.

They work to create opportunities for dialogue and global exchanges, educate younger generations about ancient civilizations and their legacy, and help all people improve their cultural literacy.

They also collaborate to build their ancient cultures as agents of economic growth and attract investors, build entrepreneurial opportunities, and offer access to infrastructure and modern technologies.