Reframing Global Dialogue in Moscow

This month I had the wonderful opportunity to be a speaker at the 2nd World Public Assembly in Moscow. Standing before a diverse gathering of global thinkers, policymakers and change-makers, I was reminded of the immense power of public diplomacy and open dialogue in navigating today’s complex geopolitical expanse.

The WPA served as a platform for addressing global challenges, fostering cross-cultural understanding and exploring innovative solutions through what a fellow speaker called the spirit of 'Ubuntu'.

With delegates from all over the world

During the panels and interactive sessions, several core themes resonated strongly across all delegations: The Power of Public Diplomacy: True global progress relies heavily on building bridges between people, academic institutions and civic organizations, rather than depending solely on formal state channels.

Beyond the formal presentations, the true magic of the World Public Assembly happened in the spaces in between. The one-on-one discussions, casual coffee break chats and evening networking events allowed for deep, unfiltered exchanges of ideas. Engaging with other speakers and delegates from across the globe reaffirmed that despite our differing backgrounds, our fundamental aspirations for peace, innovation and progress remain identical.

With my wife and son (L) & a traditionally attired delegate

The final day of the 2nd World Public Assembly culminated in an extraordinary evening celebrating the movement's leading lights. It was an honour to share the stage and capture moments with the visionary leadership driving these conversations, including Secretary-General Andrei Belyaninov and Deputy Secretary-General Svetlana Smirnova, alongside our wonderful MC of the evening, Alena Dolgopolova.

A truly unforgettable highlight of the finale was meeting the legendary Greek sculptor, painter and jewelry designer, Lisa Sotilis. At 93 years young, her vibrant energy captivated everyone in the room as she was rightfully honored with the prestigious Service to Humanity award.

With Greek sculptor, painter and jewelry designer, Lisa Sotilis

Wrapping up the event, standing alongside the Indian contingent, there was a profound sense of pride and shared purpose about the impact we can make together on the world stage.

With Secretary-General Andrei Belyaninov (L) & MC of the finale Alena Dolgopolova