U.S. economist Jeffrey Sachs (on the screens), speaks via video link during a UN event to mark the first anniversary of the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations at the UN headquarters in New York, June 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui)
UNITED NATIONS, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Prominent U.S. economist Jeffrey Sachs on Monday called on the West, particularly the United States, to have dialogue with the rest of the world.
He made the appeal at a UN event to mark the first anniversary of the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations.
"Over the past centuries, Europe and the United States have dominated vast parts of the world through imperial rule," said Sachs, director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University and president of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. "They forgot about dialogue but just asserted power and dominance, which was not only cruel but also unacceptable."
"We now live in a truly multipolar world, but we must also strive for a multicultural, multi-civilizational and multilateral world -- one that operates according to the international rule of law under the UN Charter," said Sachs.
He emphasized that his own country, the United States, along with European powers, needs to understand that their centuries of dominance now demand greater commitment to dialogue.
"I want the United States to engage in more dialogue with China -- something that's currently lacking. I want the United States to dialogue with Russia, Iran and the Islamic world, which, with its 2 billion people, phenomenal philosophical traditions, wisdom traditions, beauty, architecture, culture and cuisines, has so much gift for the world," said Sachs.
"The International Day of Dialogue Among Civilizations is a wonderful gift for the world. It is a wonderful initiative," he said. "The more we promote mutual understanding with respect and mutual dignity, the sooner we will escape from the needless conflicts of misunderstanding, fear and false resentments that burden and threaten the world."
The UN General Assembly last year adopted a resolution, proposed by China and co-sponsored by over 80 countries, designating June 10 as the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations.
Sachs expressed gratitude to China for bringing this initiative to the world stage. "It is timely and essential. It could be the key for global survival. It is certainly the key for our global mutual understanding," he said.
Sachs noted that China understands the core requirement for global politics: the need for dialogue, mutual understanding and mutual respect among diverse cultures and civilizations. "I think this understanding itself reflects China's remarkable cultural depth and civilizational depth," he added.
"China stands as one of the world's great civilizations with so much to teach and offer to the world," said Sachs. "Among Chinese civilization's wisdom is the Confucian concept of 'harmony in diversity' -- the understanding that while we differ, we all belong to one human family."
Sachs stressed the importance of learning from many other civilizations as well. "We are undoubtedly blessed by China's civilization and its invaluable lessons," he continued. "Without excluding any culture, I must stress that we can and should learn from Egypt's ancient wisdom; from Persia's 5,000-year tradition; from Russia's great culture and civilization; from Africa's Ubuntu philosophy that illuminates proper human relations; from classical Greek wisdom; from the Islamic world and from ancient Jewish prophets."
"All of these cultural traditions, which come to us today, give us wisdom and diverse points of view, and demand our committed engagement in dialogue," Sachs concluded. ■
U.S. economist Jeffrey Sachs (on the screen), speaks via video link during a UN event to mark the first anniversary of the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations at the UN headquarters in New York, June 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui)