Alternative Architecture of Peaceful Coexistence: Experts at the World Public Assembly Propose New Tools for International Relations
"Overwhelmed with feelings of joy and pride for all of us": A solemn ceremony marked the opening of the First World Public Assembly.
24.09.2025
Greetings to the 4,000 delegates from more than 150 countries and to the organizers were sent by:
Miguel Ángel Moratinos, UN Secretary-General’s High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, Nurlan Yermekbayev, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia,
Sergey Lebedev, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Valentina Matviyenko, Chairperson of the Federation Council of Russia, Sergey Glazyev, State Secretary of the Union State, Yevgeny Primakov, Head of Rossotrudnichestvo, Sergey Sobyanin, Mayor of Moscow, and Russian cosmonaut Ivan Vagner.
Miguel Ángel Moratinos, UN Secretary-General’s High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, Nurlan Yermekbayev, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia,
Sergey Lebedev, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Valentina Matviyenko, Chairperson of the Federation Council of Russia, Sergey Glazyev, State Secretary of the Union State, Yevgeny Primakov, Head of Rossotrudnichestvo, Sergey Sobyanin, Mayor of Moscow, and Russian cosmonaut Ivan Vagner.
"Facing a complex political environment, it is crucial to harness the Assembly’s potential to strengthen international partnership. I am confident that the Assembly will become an authoritative platform that will foster dialogue between countries and public diplomacy," stated Valentina Matviyenko in her message.
"Through this platform, we give the world an opportunity to hear our voice. To hear that we want mutual respect, mutual understanding, and respect for the sovereignty of our countries. We are convinced that our cause will continue," said Ms. Piao Yangfan, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, at the WPA opening ceremony.
"The Assembly is global, public, and, above all, the first of its kind. By each of these criteria, it fully deserves its place in history. And that is exactly what we are achieving together before our very eyes. We are writing global public history," noted Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
"No matter where you live, whatever civilizations, cultures, or faiths you belong to, all of you, my friends, are united by a steadfast commitment to enduring spiritual and moral values such as patriotism and family. In today’s turbulent world, respect for one’s own roots and origins deserves deep respect and full support," said Sergey Lavrov, Head of Russia’s Foreign Ministry, in his address.
Cosmonaut Ivan Vagner of Roscosmos addressed the participants of the WPA opening ceremony: "From the International Space Station, our Earth looks both united and fragile—very fragile," the cosmonaut noted. "In space, all crews share one goal and mutual support. We believe: if this is possible in space, it is possible on Earth too," said Vagner.
«And we believe in this. Everything can be agreed upon," emphasized Andrey Belyaninov, Secretary-General of the World Public Assembly.
The central event of the World Public Assembly "New World of Conscious Unity" was the plenary session, which set the ideological and value-oriented direction for the entire international discussion at the WPA. Here, the main vectors of dialogue and partnership among representatives of states, civil society, religious leaders, and the spheres of culture, science, and education were defined.
The current global situation is characterized by a sharp increase in geopolitical, economic, and humanitarian challenges. Disunity among states is growing, trust is in short supply, and competition between value systems and development models is intensifying. In these conditions, the role of public diplomacy, humanitarian interaction, and civil and cultural initiatives—capable of offering an alternative architecture of peaceful coexistence—becomes especially significant. It was precisely the contours of this architecture that were discussed at the plenary session. Top-level experts from more than 150 countries presented their visions in response to the questions: What are the new humanitarian principles of coexistence and cooperation in a polycentric world? Is a universal humanitarian language that unites peoples possible? What forms of public diplomacy are most effective in overcoming global distrust? What role can civil organizations play in building a New World? How can national identity and global responsibility be reconciled? Can humanitarian partnership become the foundation of a new world order?
The current global situation is characterized by a sharp increase in geopolitical, economic, and humanitarian challenges. Disunity among states is growing, trust is in short supply, and competition between value systems and development models is intensifying. In these conditions, the role of public diplomacy, humanitarian interaction, and civil and cultural initiatives—capable of offering an alternative architecture of peaceful coexistence—becomes especially significant. It was precisely the contours of this architecture that were discussed at the plenary session. Top-level experts from more than 150 countries presented their visions in response to the questions: What are the new humanitarian principles of coexistence and cooperation in a polycentric world? Is a universal humanitarian language that unites peoples possible? What forms of public diplomacy are most effective in overcoming global distrust? What role can civil organizations play in building a New World? How can national identity and global responsibility be reconciled? Can humanitarian partnership become the foundation of a new world order?
"In this world, we can truly become one whole, not divided, not separated. My dear friends, we have forgotten that we have a common denominator. Look at us: we have different forms, different nations, different faces, but we have one common denominator—humanity. We are all human here, and that is what we need. Today, the world needs mutual understanding, and no division can truly bring salvation to this world," set the tone for the discussion at the plenary session of the First World Public Assembly Mr. Hilary Franco, Advisor to the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN.
As noted by Alexandra Ochirova, the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and Co-Chair of the High Advisory Council of the World Public Assembly, it is no coincidence that almost all definitions of civilization are composed of the concepts of "human" and "culture."
"We are very close and deeply involved in contact processes and cultural formations. No one in the world can resist united minds," the expert concluded.
The speakers brought together by the platform are among the top leaders in global public diplomacy. Distinguished guests included Ilhom Nematov, Deputy Secretary-General of the CIS; Sabena Yohannes, President and CEO of Afritrack Angola; Himadrish Suwan, Chairman of the Confederation of Young Leaders of India and Director General of the Indian Institute of Governance and Leadership (IIGL); mayors of foreign cities; and entrepreneurs from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Over 200 journalists from different regions of the world came to cover the First World Public Assembly.
The First World Public Assembly is designed to become a new type of humanitarian forum, where the main vector is not confrontation, but the unification of efforts for the sake of peace, development, and the conscious unity of peoples—as both a moral choice and a practical tool of international relations.
Addressing the participants of the forum’s opening and plenary session, Andrey Belyaninov, Secretary-General of the World People Assembly encouraged all guests to join the organization as full members, should they wish to do so.
The First World Public Assembly is designed to become a new type of humanitarian forum, where the main vector is not confrontation, but the unification of efforts for the sake of peace, development, and the conscious unity of peoples—as both a moral choice and a practical tool of international relations.
Addressing the participants of the forum’s opening and plenary session, Andrey Belyaninov, Secretary-General of the World People Assembly encouraged all guests to join the organization as full members, should they wish to do so.
