BREAKOUT SESSION 6

Since time immemorial, human beings have moved from place to place and traded with their neighbors, exchanging goods, skills, and ideas. Throughout history, the Silk Road formed the first bridge between East and West. These overland and maritime routes have facilitated interaction between peoples and civilizations, offering insights into the past and shedding light on the future, while highlighting the shared heritage that links the peoples of Eurasia. In his opening remarks at the Belt and Road Forum in 2017, UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored that “While the Belt and Road Initiative and the 2030 Agenda are different in their nature and scope, both have sustainable development as the overarching objective. Both strive to create opportunities, global public goods, and win-win cooperation. And both aim to deepen ‘connectivity’ across countries and regions: connectivity in infrastructure, trade, finance, policies and, perhaps most important of all, among peoples”. This breakout session has been proposed and organized by the Silk Institute to present an innovative initiative: “The New Silk Road on Peace Routes.” The session aims to enhance our shared understanding and cooperation among peoples in countries along the ancient Silk Road in order to prevent crisis and conflict.