The Passionate Wave of Civic Forces
At an extended meeting of the Secretary-General of the Assembly of Eurasian and African Nations, the concept for the World Public Summit was officially presented
30.01.2024
The coordination meeting was held on January 30 at the headquarters of the Assembly of the Peoples of Eurasia and Africa. It brought together Deputy and Senior Advisors to the Secretary-General, along with members of the Council of Elders and the High Advisory Council of the Assembly.
The concept of the World Public Summit was formally presented by Svetlana Smirnova, Chair of the General Council of the Assembly.
The concept of the World Public Summit was formally presented by Svetlana Smirnova, Chair of the General Council of the Assembly.
“More than 2,000 participants from over 100 countries are expected to take part in the Summit. Its program will be structured around eight thematic tracks. To ensure effective preparation, an International Organizing Committee will be established. The Summit is intended to become an annual initiative, alternating between Russia and various international host countries,” she noted.
Alexandra Ochirova, Co-Chair of the General Council of the Assembly of the Peoples of Eurasia and Africa, Member of the State Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO, and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, emphasized the importance of addressing humanitarian modernization within the Summit’s agenda. One of its key aims, she noted, is the pursuit of conscious multipolar unity — a goal that cannot be imposed through policy alone. She underscored the need for ongoing conceptual dialogue on this issue, led by the Assembly’s community of experts and participants.
Igor Shpynov, Advisor to the Secretary-General of the Assembly, expressed confidence in the strong participation of African delegates in the upcoming Summit. Igor Morozov, Chair of the Coordinating Committee for Economic Cooperation with African States (AFROCOM), highlighted growing interest in international engagement, including through public diplomacy, across Latin America. Participants also noted opportunities for broader humanitarian cooperation in other global regions. Irina Djayani, Chair of the Eurasian Partnership Association (Vienna, Austria), expressed her hope that Austria might serve as the venue for the second World Public Summit.
Among the strategic objectives for 2025, Andrey Belyaninov identified the expansion of the Assembly’s network of representative offices, which will promote public diplomacy through the implementation of humanitarian initiatives in their respective countries and regions. Participants emphasized the increasing civic engagement observed across many societies worldwide. Concluding the meeting, the Secretary-General reaffirmed the vital role of public diplomacy as a meaningful and effective tool in international cooperation.
Igor Shpynov, Advisor to the Secretary-General of the Assembly, expressed confidence in the strong participation of African delegates in the upcoming Summit. Igor Morozov, Chair of the Coordinating Committee for Economic Cooperation with African States (AFROCOM), highlighted growing interest in international engagement, including through public diplomacy, across Latin America. Participants also noted opportunities for broader humanitarian cooperation in other global regions. Irina Djayani, Chair of the Eurasian Partnership Association (Vienna, Austria), expressed her hope that Austria might serve as the venue for the second World Public Summit.
Among the strategic objectives for 2025, Andrey Belyaninov identified the expansion of the Assembly’s network of representative offices, which will promote public diplomacy through the implementation of humanitarian initiatives in their respective countries and regions. Participants emphasized the increasing civic engagement observed across many societies worldwide. Concluding the meeting, the Secretary-General reaffirmed the vital role of public diplomacy as a meaningful and effective tool in international cooperation.
“We must not have rules written for us — we must define them ourselves,” he concluded.
