IRNA � Iranian foreign minister here on Thursday underlined importance of changing the ideology of domination and using destructive weapons into that of dialogue worldwide and regionally.

Mohammad-Javad Zarif made the remarks while addressing the international ceremony on Norouz, Iranian New Year 1398, in Tehran.

Norouz has been globalized and �this is an auspicious event,� said Zarif at the ceremony with participation of ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Iraq, India and Afghanistan which annually celebrate the global festival with Iranian roots.

�Norouz is not a natural event, but a human development� which is on priorities of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Zarif said.

International ceremony on Norouz kicked off in Tehran on Thursday morning under the auspices of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran and Iranian National Commission for UNESCO.

Norouz stamp is to be unveiled at the ceremony later in the day.

Norouz, as spelled in Persian, means the New Day and marks the beginning of spring according to the ancient Iranian solar calendar.