Bangkok forum calls for consensus amid challenges

Leaders and experts at a Bangkok forum marking the United Nations' first International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations have called for building a global consensus amid challenges facing humanity and seeking common interests through dialogue among diverse civilizations.

Co-hosted by the International Confucian Association, or ICA, and the Thai-Chinese Cultural and Relationship Council, or TCCRC, the Hehe Civilization Forum, which kicked off on Tuesday, brought together more than 200 participants from China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and other regions worldwide. "Hehe" in Chinese translates to harmony and coexistence.

Under the theme "Harmonious and Coexistence: Promoting the Prosperity and Progress of Civilizations", this year's forum also celebrates the first International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, declared by a UN General Assembly resolution last June and observed on June 10 annually.