Diplomats from over 20 countries gathered in Moscow shortly before the 80th anniversary of Germany’s defeat in WWII
Moscow’s State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) welcomed representatives from over 20 nations this week for the first Russia-Africa Forum of Young Diplomats. The event focused on the fight against neocolonialism and developing cultural connections.
The forum welcomed about 50 diplomats from countries including Algeria, Benin, Chad, the Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Kenya, Mauritania, Mozambique, Gabon, Burundi, and the Seychelles. Its key topic, “Victory Diplomacy,” was dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Germany’s defeat in the Second World War.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov delivered a welcome speech to the participants. Other speakers during the opening ceremony included MGIMO University Rector Anatoly Torkunov, the Russian president’s special representative for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov, as well as Senator Aleksandr Voloshin.
During the session dedicated to the fight against neocolonialism, speakers, including Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova and former Vice President of the Seychelles Vincent Meriton, discussed a just world order as well as political and economic cooperation.
Russian Senator Sergey Karjakin, a chess grandmaster, talked about sports diplomacy, stressing that friendly competitions should not become an instrument of political pressure.
The event included a large-scale sports contest between diplomats, as well as a wide-ranging business and cultural program. The delegates attended Patriot Park and the Main Cathedral of the Armed Forces, where they honored the memory of Russia’s WWII heroes ahead of the 80th anniversary of the fall of Berlin.
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