Education, as a knowledge producing channel, plays an important role in promoting global sustainable development, empowering security and culture communication, an education official said at the opening ceremony of a global forum on Saturday.

Liu Limin, former vice-minister of Education and president of the China Education Association for International Exchange made the remarks at the Tongzhou Global Development Forum in Beijing.

"We should conduct solid academic exchanges and knowledge sharing, strongly motivating global development with higher-level academic results," Liu said.

Global think tanks are expected to focus on global security issues, carry out research and discussions on international relations, he said.

Hosted by Renmin University of China and co-organized by the Tongzhou district government, the two-day forum includes multiple panels and attracts over 400 attendees from 30 countries, according to the agenda.

With the theme of "Working Together for Global Development and a Common Future", the forum focuses on leading global development strategies and ideas, aiming to reach a consensus through discussion among globally renowned scholars and experts in politics, business and academia.

"The forum is a good opportunity to promote dialogue among civilizations," Liu said.

He added that China will be more proactive in building an education pattern opening to the outside world.

Shahbaz Khan, director of the UNESCO Office in Beijing, said the organization has been working with China in improving people's literacy.

"For instance, the UNESCO Confucius Literacy Prize has been awarded to teachers in Egypt and Latin America," Shahbaz said.

China's projects for quality education are also helping 4 million students from different ethnic groups and provinces, he said.

Shahbaz also appreciated the Chinese government's efforts in investing in education and diversity protection in Africa.

A report, Development as the Solution, Globe as the Platform for Development, was released during the forum, proposing a mechanism for the forum and seven action initiatives.