ATHENS, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Heads of friendship associations from China, India, Egypt and Greece held an online dialogue on Friday under the theme of "Upholding Justice and Achieving Common Development."

The event concluded with a joint declaration calling for international cooperation to promote world peace and development.

"We agree that it is the common aspiration of peoples of all countries to pursue peace, seek development and promote cooperation, and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind," read a joint declaration signed by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), India-China Friendship Association (ICFA), the Egypt-China Friendship Association and the Belt and Road Associates in Greece.

"We should abandon the law of the jungle, and resolutely oppose the Cold War mentality of zero-sum games and all forms of hegemonic practices that deliberately incite ideological confrontation and camp confrontation and deprive people across the globe of their development rights and interests," it added.

"The world is changing, yet the glorious radiance of the great ancient civilizations will never fade," said CPAFFC President Lin Songtian while addressing the online event.

Many speakers noted that the world should move forward with unity and collaboration, based on the lessons and wisdoms drawn from these ancient civilizations.

The Belt and Road Initiative has been building bridges of friendship and cooperation between peoples in recent years and the world needs more of such bridges, said George Floras, Managing Partner of Belt and Road Associates in Greece.