Nishan Forum on World Civilizations calls for a more equitable global governance system

The 2026 Nishan Forum on World Civilizations concluded on Tuesday, with the release of a consensus document calling for nations to uphold mutual learning and build a fairer, more equitable global governance system amid profound global changes.

Held from Monday to Tuesday in Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, in Jining, Shandong province, the forum brought together more than 340 guests and scholars from 49 countries and regions. Centering on the theme of "Civilization· Order · Justice", participants engaged in in-depth exchanges on topics including the contemporary relevance of Confucianism, global governance, artificial intelligence, and civilizational resilience.

The document stresses that the diversity of human civilizations is the wellspring of human progress. It calls upon the international community to uphold the vision of "Harmony in Diversity", advocating that all civilizations are equal and deserve the right to carry forward their heritage.

It urges nations to overcome estrangement with exchanges, prevent clashes with mutual learning, and replace superiority with inclusiveness, so as to collectively safeguard the resilience of global civilizations.

Addressing the severe blows dealt to the international order by unilateralism and power politics, the consensus calls for a global governance system featuring extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits.

Quoting the ancient Chinese philosophy "When the Way prevails under Heaven, all nations will live in peace and harmony," it advocates for true multilateralism, extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits.

The consensus highlights the need for justice as the moral yardstick of human society. Referencing the ancient Chinese saying, "Ensuring the right conduct and upholding justice should be the way to follow across the land," it champions the common values of humanity—peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom.

Recognizing that humanity shares one planet, the consensus emphasizes that no country can develop in isolation. The document calls for addressing global challenges such as climate change, public health, and the ethics of science and technology. It advocates practicing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, seeking win-win outcomes through practical cooperation.