Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s video address to the Eurasian Forum of Young Diplomats, Diplomacy of the New Multipolar World, on the sidelines of the Manzherok Festival, July 12, 2023

Colleagues and friends,

I am glad to have this opportunity to address the participants of the 8th Eurasian Forum of Young Diplomats, which is taking place this year on the sidelines of the Manzherok Festival in hospitable Gorno-Altaisk.

The declared theme of your gathering – Diplomacy of the New Multipolar World – sounds more relevant than ever. We are all witnesses of truly historic changes taking place in the international arena. The undivided dominance of the "collective West" is coming to an end. At the same time, new centres of development are gaining momentum, primarily in Eurasia, the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Thus, the emergence of a more equitable, balanced, polycentric world order is a geopolitical reality that must be reckoned with by all participants in international communication.

It is especially important that the emerging multipolarity should not be based on military-political and economic confrontation between the key world players, but on an agreed balance of interests. On cooperation, not rivalry. In this regard, it is difficult to overestimate the role of classical diplomacy based on universally recognised international legal rules, primarily the principles of the UN Charter, respect for the cultural and civilisational diversity of the world, and the right of peoples to choose their own models of development.

Building constructive and fruitful cooperation with friends, allies and like-minded people in Eurasia is our unconditional priority. This is enshrined in the new version of the Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation approved by President Vladimir Putin at the end of March. I note with satisfaction that good examples of modern diplomacy are provided by cooperation through such multilateral associations as the EAEU, the CSTO, the CIS and the SCO. These organisations promote a constructive, forward-looking inter-state agenda. Russia plays a very active part in the work of these institutions.

They have now objectively put forward the task of deepening multifaceted ties between the various integration entities operating in the Greater Eurasian space. The initiative put forward by the Russian President to build a Greater Eurasian Partnership is aimed precisely at this. Work is already under way on the practical implementation of this endeavour, aimed at forming a continental zone of peace, security and practical co-operation.

Friends,

I assume that your meeting, which is based on the concept of "horizontal diplomacy", will also make a useful contribution to maintaining an atmosphere of trust and mutual understanding. I am convinced that the Forum will be held in a friendly and informal manner, allowing us to exchange professional experience and establish mutually useful contacts, and, of course, to get better acquainted with the unique cultural and natural heritage of the Altai Republic.

I wish you fruitful discussions and all the best.