On November 27, the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine hosted a roundtable discussion titled “The New World (Dis)Order as a Consequence of Russian Aggression Against Ukraine: A Changing Reality for the Middle East and Africa.”

The purpose of the event was to discuss foreign policy challenges for Ukraine in the context of the profound transformations taking place in the Middle East and Africa as a result of Russian aggression. The discussion took place against the backdrop of significant international events, including the 4th International Food Security Summit “Food from Ukraine,” the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, the EU–African Union Summit in Luanda, and the international conference “Crimea Global.”

In his opening remarks, Director of the Diplomatic Academy Ihor Ostash, emphasized that Africa and the Middle East are among the key priorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, as evidenced by the creation of a new Department for Africa and Regional African Organizations. He emphasized that both regions are acutely feeling the effects of global crises, while simultaneously becoming important actors in the process of shaping a new world order.

"That is precisely why Ukraine needs an honest strategic dialogue with these parts of the world, and such expert platforms contribute to building trust, a better understanding of regional realities, and the formation of joint decisions. The Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine will continue to be a hub for intellectual diplomacy, a space where new ideas, partnerships, and models of cooperation are born," noted Ihor Ostash.

The first panel, dedicated to African affairs, was moderated by Liubov Abravitova, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and newly appointed Director of the Department of Africa and Regional African Organizations. The introductory lecture, “The African Space in the Contemporary World Order,” was presented by Oleksandr Mishyn, Ph.D. in Political Science and Counsellor to the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

The second panel, dedicated to issues in the Middle East, was led by Maksym Yakovliev, Director of the School of Political Analysis at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.

Among the event’s participants were the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine: Volodymyr Khomanets, Oleksandr Shcherba, Vasyl Hamianin, Maksym Subkh, and Oleksandr Balanutsa, as well as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of South Africa to Ukraine, Shoayb Casoo; the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Estonia to Kenya and South Africa; Mohammed Usman Suleiman, Chargé d’Affaires of Nigeria in Ukraine, and Jude Igbokwe, Minister-Counselor of the Nigerian Embassy in Ukraine.

The following experts shared their insights: Dzvinka Kachur, UWC Regional Vice President for Africa; Yevhen Mahda, Ph.D. in Political Science, Director of the Institute of World Policy; Hanna Shelest, Ph.D. in Political Science, Director of the Security Studies Program at the Foreign Policy Council “Ukrainian Prism”; Sultan Zakhidov, Senior Consultant at the AIR Center (Azerbaijan); Roman Nazarenko, PhD (in Islamic Studies), Director of the Institute of Religion and Society at the Ukrainian Catholic University; and Maria Tomak, co-organizer of the international conference “Crimea Global” and Chair of the Board of the Media Initiative for Human Rights.

The event was also attended by experts from the Center for African Studies at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, students and faculty from the National University of Ostroh Academy, and representatives of leading Ukrainian think tanks.

The event was organized in partnership with the Public Council under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and with the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation.

The Diplomatic Academy expresses its sincere gratitude to all participants for their professional contributions to the substantive discussion. Based on the discussions, practical recommendations will be developed regarding Ukraine’s future policy in relations with the countries of the Middle East and Africa, and the conference materials will be published in the professional journal “Academia Diplomatica UA.”