The Beijing Forum 2022 opened on Friday in Beijing with the theme of "Creating a future for human civilization: Trust, Dialogue and Cooperation."

Leaders and scholars from around the world are gathering online and on-site this year to explore the subject of forming an intertwined community of shared destiny through mutual trust, dialogue and close cooperation. Pressing issues, including climate change, global security, and global population patterns, are also on the agenda.

Shehbaz Sharif, prime minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, sent a congratulatory letter to the Beijing Forum, in which he highlighted that for years, the forum has "remained a valuable platform for deepening mutual learning and understanding among civilizations of the world" and has become "instrumental in promoting extensive international cooperation and global discourse for world peace, socio-economic development and civilizational progress."

In a video message sent to the Beijing Forum 2022, UNESCO Director-General Audre Azoulay enumerated a series of problems perplexing the world such as inflation, poverty, climate crisis, COVID-19, racism, gender discrimination. She stressed that to address the aforementioned issues, it is essential for the whole world to "come together again." "We need dialogue. We need to build trust and understanding. We need this authentic, meaningful dialogue to overcome the problem and forge hope," she pointed out. "We must unite their forces to implement and identify the best solutions to promote dialogue and cooperation."

Han Qide, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the 10th and 11th National People's Congress (NPC) and vice chairman of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made a special address at the event. He hoped that the international community can enhance sincerity and trust, strengthen dialogue and communication, and achieve harmony and common prosperity by means of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Huai Jinpeng, Chinese minister of Education, extended his congratulations to the forum. "Facing new opportunities and challenges in the new era, the Chinese educational community stands ready to work with countries from all over the world to undertake the mission of creating a better future for mankind through education," the minister stressed.

This year's Beijing Forum comprises 12 sub-forums as well as one overseas sub-forum and will last until December.

Launched in 2004, the annual event has been joined by more than 7,000 dignitaries and famed scholars from over 80 countries and regions.