As the Year of the Dragon approaches, leaders from international organizations and various countries have extended their well wishes to the Chinese people, hoping for a prosperous and peaceful world in the upcoming year.

The Chinese Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, is the most important holiday for Chinese all around the world, with the important occasion falling on Feb 10 this year.

Audrey Azoulay, director-general of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), sent in her well wishes in a video message from the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, wishing Chinese people "all the best" in the Year of Dragon, as she spoke in Chinese.

Meanwhile, Francesco la Camera, director-general of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), hopes the New Year will usher in a new start in the global push for sustainability.

"It's my pleasure to send best wishes, not only mine, but the wishes of all the International [Renewable] Energy Agency to the Chinese people, to my Chinese friends. And I know this [year] we are ushering in the Year of the Dragon, as far as I remember it's the sign of strength, for luck. And I hope that this will launch us in a New Year of ambition and capacity to build the clean energy system that we deserve to go for a sustainable world," he said.

Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda attended a Spring Festival celebration event held in Kathmandu, where he conveyed his good wishes to the Chinese people and expressed his hope for closer relations between the two countries.

"I am elated at the celebration of this cross-border Spring Festival.It is cultural fabrics, social cohesion and humanly affiliation that closely connect us. I am confident this connection between Nepal and China shall grow from strength to strength in the coming days. I am very pleased to extend good wishes of peace, good health and further prosperity of the leadership and the friendly people of the People's Republic of China," he said.

During a Spring Festival reception at the Chinese embassy in Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, the President of Cyprus, sent a congratulatory video conveying his good wishes.

"It is with great pleasure that I join your celebrations today on the auspicious occasion of the Chinese Lunar New Year, the Year of the Wood Dragon, a symbol of growth, success, health, strength, and good fortune," said Christodoulides, as he extended heartfelt wishes for a happy, prosperous and healthy New Year.