Hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the third Ministerial Meeting of Ancient Civilization Forum (ACF) was held in Beijing. The participants adopted the Declaration of Beijing focused on learning from ancient civilizations – the common legacy of all human beings.
Tourism ministers and representative officials from nine countries, including China, Peru, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Iran, India, Iraq, Armenia, and Bolivia attended the meeting at the Beijing International Hotel from November 27 to 30.
Officials gathered for intensive dialogues on the protection of cultural heritage, sharing their opinions on deepening cultural communication and cooperation.
Two giants and Hera, detail of the Gigantomachy, relief, north frieze of the Siphnian Treasury, 530-525 BC, from Delphi, Greece. Ancient Greek civilization, 6th century BC. /VCG Photo
According to the adopted declaration, different countries, nations, and civilizations should respect each other and work together to safeguard world peace and to promote sustainable development.
Giving continuity to the last year's Declaration of Tiwanaku and the Athens Declaration in 2017, the members agreed to keep striving to build a community of ancient civilizations with common goals, and to promote dialogue, equality, and inclusiveness among different cultures.
(L-R) Iranian Minister of Foreign affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias gesture during the family photo of the participants of the Ancient Civilizations Forum (ACForum) at the Zappeion Conference Hall, in Athens, on April 24, 2017. /VCG Photo
The members also stressed the protection of cultural rights and further development of the understanding among their peoples through cultural exchanges and mutual support.
Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism, Luo Shugang, delivered a speech at the conference, saying that since the establishment of the ACF in 2017, its international influence has continued to expand and the voice of the ancient civilizations has been sent to the international community, opening a new chapter in the dialogue of civilizations.
The Academic Forum of the Third ACF Ministerial Meeting is held at the Palace Museum on October 28, 2019 in Beijing, China. /VCG Photo
He also noted that only when our exceptional traditional culture is well protected, inherited and developed, ancient civilizations can shine in the new era, providing spiritual support for the their own and even global development.
Under the theme of "Protecting Ancient Civilizations, Promoting Human Development," the Academic Forum of the Third ACF Ministerial Meeting was held at Beijing Palace Museum in October with a focus on cultural heritage and sustainable development.
It was also announced that Peru will host the next Ministerial Meeting of the Forum next year.
(Cover image by Qu Bo)