NATIONS CALLED TO PRIORITIZE DIALOGUE AS GLOBAL CONFLICTS INTENSIFY

Amid rising tensions worldwide, nations have been urged to adopt dialogue as a critical tool for resolving escalating conflicts. The appeal was issued on Thursday during preparations for the inaugural International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations at the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON).

The message delivered by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres under Zainab Hawa Bangura Director-General of UNON, emphasized the pressing need for peace, stating that the mission to achieve it has “never been more urgent’’. He called on the UN to champion dialogue, a core principle upon which the organization was founded. The International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations, proposed by China, was established by the UN General Assembly during the 78th session and will be observed annually on June 10.

The initiative aims to unite nations in addressing global challenges through consensus. This year’s main event will take place at the UN Headquarters in New York, with parallel celebrations planned in Nairobi, Geneva, Vienna, Rome, Bangkok, and other locations. Ababu Namwamba who is Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the UNEP, described dialogue as not just a future endeavor and encouraged leaders to embrace the spirit of harambee in overcoming challenges.