The 9th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations offers an internationalized platform for strengthening exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. [Photo/WeChat account: NiShanShengJing]

The 9th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations, which was held in Nishan Sacred Land in Qufu, East China's Shandong province, offered an internationalized platform for strengthening exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, according to a press conference held by the Information Office of Shandong Provincial People's Government.

Nearly 160 foreign guests, including diplomatic envoys from 16 countries, governors and mayors of sister provinces and states of 12 countries, foreign journalists, experts and scholars, will attend relevant activities of the forum, breaking a new high in the number of participants, according to Chen Baiwei, deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Shandong Province.

Among the guests will be Guyanese President Irfaan Ali, President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach, and 15 provincial and ministerial-level officials. They will also participate in the conference, either in person or through livestreaming, while attending dedicated speeches and multiple forum activities. Professor Sachs of Columbia University, who was named one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World" by Time magazine and the "most important economist in the world" by The New York Times, and other world-renowned experts and scholars will also participate, showcasing the forum's strong international appeal.

This year's Nishan Forum on World Civilizations will have one main forum and four thematic forums focused on the theme of "People and history", inviting more than 400 renowned experts and scholars from home and abroad to participate, presenting a cultural feast of world civilization exchanges. Additionally, discussions between diplomatic envoys and experts and scholars will be organized during the event to further elaborate on the forum's theme and build consensus.