In Nanjing, Jiangsu, a peace forum was held offline and online from October 24 
to 25, focusing on building holistic and pluralistic visions of peace for a new 
era.

As a member of the International Cities of Peace, Nanjing organized the 2020 
Nanjing Peace Forum, in partnership with UNESCO, the Chinese National 
Commission for UNESCO and Information Office of Jiangsu Provincial Government, 
in order to engage a more global, interdisciplinary and pluralistic reflection 
on the concept of sustainable peace, according to the Publicity Department of 
Nanjing Municipal Government.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, and United Nations 
Day falls on October 24. Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General for the 
Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO, said that achieving a holistic and 
sustained peace has remained central to the mission of UNESCO, and the UN.

In the face of the unprecedented global health crisis of COVID-19, Ramos 
pointed that misunderstandings, mistrust, and potential for conflict are 
intertwined in a globalized world. She suggested that people respond to these 
tremendous social transformations through strengthening resilience and 
solidarity, as well as laying foundations for sustainable peace and mutual 
respect.

As the leading humanitarian organization saving lives, delivering food 
assistance in emergencies, and working to improve nutrition and build 
resilience, the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) was awarded the 2020 
Nobel Peace Prize. Maha Ahmed, WFP China Deputy Director, said that the link 
between hunger and armed conflict is a vicious circle.

Research has revealed that WFP's programmes can contribute to improving the 
prospects for peace through improving social cohesion, increasing opportunity 
and inclusion, and enhancing citizen-state trust, according to Ahmed.

In 2017, Nanjing became China's first International City of Peace. The Nanjing 
Massacre in 1937 during World War II makes people in this city more aware of 
the significance of peace. Han Liming, mayor of Nanjing, said that the city 
wishes to build a friendship bridge to promote international cooperation, 
strive for win-win development and make contributions to world peace and 
development.

At the end of the forum, a Nanjing Peace Consensus was launched by 
representatives, aiming to promote the aspirations of all people for the 
realization of sustainable peace and collaboration among the nations through 
education, science, culture, and communications.

Source: The Publicity Department of Nanjing Municipal Government