Collective efforts urged on advancing world peace

Amid mounting conflicts and rising challenges, political leaders and experts from China and abroad have called for greater collective efforts to advance global peace and development through inclusive dialogue, solidarity and cooperation.

They made the remarks at the opening ceremony of a conference commemorating the International Day of Peace on Monday in Wuhan, central China's Hubei province.

Peng Qinghua, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said that the pursuit of peace and development stands at a new crossroads, and people around the world yearn for fairness and justice, solidarity and cooperation, and peace and stability more than ever.

Peng, who is also president of the Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament, urged efforts to resolve disputes through diplomatic and political means.

"We must abandon the outdated rhetoric of a clash of civilizations, the erroneous belief in the supremacy of force, the vicious practices of hegemony and bullying, and we must remain vigilant against a resurgence of militarism and extremist ideologies," he said.

According to the 2026 Global Peace Index report, global peace has been deteriorating for 12 consecutive years.

Peng urged parties to conflicts to exercise maximum restraint, and called on the international community to promote peace talks and work toward comprehensive ceasefires to prevent the spillover of the conflicts.

In addition to efforts to end fighting, he urged countries to strengthen open cooperation, build trust through exchanges among civilizations, and improve global governance through consultation.

Established in 1981 by a unanimous UN resolution, Peace Day, observed each year on Sept 21, provides a date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to contribute to building a culture of peace.

In a video speech, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that peace is not passive or automatic but an active and deliberate choice to invest in a better future.

He called for investing in sustainable development, bridging divides, and strengthening tools that maintain peace, which are diplomacy, dialogue, negotiation and peacekeeping.

Mohamed Bamba Meguett, president of Mauritania's National Assembly, said that peace is more than the absence of war — it is a prerequisite for development, a guarantee of stability and a foundation for fairness and human dignity.

No country or region can secure peace alone, Meguett said, calling for joint efforts to promote peace through dialogue, respect for international law and multilateralism based on the UN Charter.

He highlighted cooperation among Global South nations and partnerships between Asia and Africa based on respect for sovereignty, saying that lasting peace is built on respect for the diversity of civilizations and cooperation.

Mariyana Trenkova, former Bulgarian deputy prime minister, said that in addition to dialogue and diplomacy, mutual trust is needed to address the challenges facing the world.

Trust must be built gradually through consistent action, mutual respect and a willingness to help solve problems, Trenkova said.

Karen Hallberg, secretary-general of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs in Argentina, said that collective action is vital to address challenges that transcend national borders such as nuclear weapons, artificial intelligence, climate change and the misuse of technology. She said countries must engage in dialogue and seek solutions in good faith to ensure a better future for humanity as a whole.

Hallberg said that China has demonstrated a willingness to bring countries together for substantive discussions, promote dialogue and help reach agreements.