🌐 Leadership in a Multipolar World: What Determines a Country’s Position in the New International Reality?

🟢On September 15, as part of the International Festival of Youth — 2026, MGIMO hosted a panel discussion titled “Leadership in a Multipolar World: What Determines a Country’s Position in the New Architecture of International Relations?”

Leading experts in international relations discussed the nature of leadership and the key factors shaping a country’s position on the global stage.

📩The discussion was moderated by Stanislav Surovtsev, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation, Youth and Social Policy, MGIMO University.

The panel brought together:
✅ Maria Zakharova, Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian MFA;
✅ Arno Gujon, Director of the Office for Public and Cultural Diplomacy of the Government of the Republic of Serbia;
✅ Dauren Abayev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Russian Federation.
✅ Toufik Djouama, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to the Russian Federation.

Here are the key takeaways from the discussion 👇

⚪Maria Zakharova highlighted a number of leadership qualities that challenge conventional perceptions of what it means to be a leader.

“It is commonly believed that a leader is someone who is always ahead, someone who strives to take first place. This is a misconception. Leadership is not about competition or being formally first. Leadership is strength and confidence that become a source of support for others. Leadership is when you are targeted by a campaign against you, yet still find the strength to keep moving forward,” Maria Zakharova emphasized.

⚪Dauren Abayev stressed that domestic stability remains the foundation of an effective foreign policy: “Without stability within a country, it is impossible to act effectively on the international stage.” Speaking about cooperation between countries and continents, he put forward the principle that “a bridge is more important than a fortress,” emphasizing the importance of openness, connections and communication over isolation. Dauren Askerbekovich emphasized that Russia and Kazakhstan are key strategic partners.

⚪Arno Gujon emphasized that leadership is made possible not by words, but by actions.

“We will not pursue a policy that treats Russia immorally. This is a principled position based on values, not political expediency.”

⚪Toufik Djouama outlined a fundamental principle of genuine partnership: “It begins where people not only take, but also share.” According to him, this principle applies equally to relations between individuals and to cooperation between states.

➡️ We thank all speakers and participants for a meaningful dialogue that brought together diverse professional and national perspectives — and for the opportunity to discuss together what defines the leadership of states today and what the world of tomorrow may look like.

🌐MGIMO International (ENG) / МГИМО для иностранцев (RUS)

New Global Architecture of the World: An Open Dialogue with Sergey Lavrov

On September 16, the International Festival of Youth — 2026 hosted the session “New Global Architecture: An Open Dialogue with Sergey Lavrov.”
🟦Organized by MGIMO University together with the Znanie Russian Society, the session provided a platform for a direct dialogue between the Russian Foreign Minister and young participants of the Festival.

Among those who had the opportunity to ask questions were MGIMO students and student community activists — Sodnomdarjaa Munkh-Uchral (Mongolia), Mikhail Mosunov and Maria Pavlova.

😊 At the beginning of the meeting, Sergey Lavrov welcomed the participants in Yekaterinburg, referring to the city as the “heart of Eurasia” and highlighting the international scale of IFY-2026, which brought together representatives from over 190 countries.

🌐 The central topic of the discussion was the emergence of a multipolar world. According to the Minister, the growing role of the Global South and East, the emergence of new centers of economic growth, and countries’ efforts to independently defend their national interests are objective trends shaping today’s international system. Sergey Lavrov repeatedly described the emerging multipolar world as an objective process that is already underway.

Speaking about the future development of the international system, Sergey Lavrov contrasted two approaches: attempts to preserve existing mechanisms of dominance and the formation of a more polycentric order based on the principles of the UN Charter, sovereign equality of states and a balance of interests.

✔️Special attention was paid to the future security and cooperation architecture in Eurasia. According to the Minister, the continent needs a system that would be open to the all states located in Eurasia.

A significant part of the discussion focused on Russia’s relations with Western countries and European security. Sergey Lavrov emphasized that Russia does not seek to abandon relations with the West and remains open to cooperation based on mutual respect and consideration of the interests of all sides.

⭐The conversation then moved from political and economic issues to the humanitarian dimension of a multipolar world. The Minister emphasized that a new system of international relations is shaped not only through intergovernmental agreements: culture, sports, education, science and direct people-to-people contacts also play an important role.

A particular focus was placed on youth cooperation. It was noted that Russia is consistently expanding opportunities for young people from different countries to communicate and engage with one another directly.

✅ Educational cooperation was another important topic. The Minister highlighted the development of support mechanisms for international applicants and emphasized the role of Russian education as a space for building long-term professional and interpersonal connections.

In his closing remarks, Sergey Lavrov once again addressed the role of the younger generation. He noted that the transition towards multipolarity is not limited to changes in the balance of power between states. It also involves developing new approaches to cooperation based on respect for national identities, the ability to engage in dialogue and a willingness to take each other’s interests into account.

❤️ We are sincerely grateful to Minister Lavrov, the International Festival of Youth, and all the young yet already highly motivated and determined participants who gathered in Yekaterinburg to share the atmosphere of open dialogue, exchange ideas and perspectives, and work together on projects capable of shaping the future.

🌐 MGIMO International (ENG) | МГИМО для иностранцев (RUS)