V International Public Diplomacy Leader Competition

V International Public Diplomacy Leader Competition to Cover More Than 100 Countries and 5 Continents

The V International Public Diplomacy Leader Competition opened its application process on 10 February 2026. For the fifth year in a row, this major project supports leaders from different countries whose work is aimed at developing public (people’s) diplomacy, strengthening interethnic and interreligious peace and harmony, as well as building trust and mutual understanding between nations.

In 2026, the competition is entering a new stage of development, expanding its format, geography, and thematic areas. For the first time, the competition will include national and regional stages leading up to the International Stage, which will take place during the World Public Summit in September 2026 in Moscow. Laureates from previous years have been involved in organizing the competition, strengthening continuity and the substantive foundation of the project.

“The competition brings together leaders to exchange best practices, strengthen trust, and develop humanitarian cooperation. It allows participants to present their projects to experts, gain recognition, and find partners from other countries. Over the years, the project has already supported public diplomats from 47 countries. The Public Diplomacy Leader Competition has no borders — representatives of all countries and continents may participate,” explained Andrey Belyaninov, Secretary General of the Assembly of the Peoples of the World.

Nominations of the International Public Diplomacy Leader Competition:

• Cultural Diplomacy
• Educational Diplomacy
• Business Diplomacy
• Scientific Diplomacy
• Tourism Diplomacy
• Sports Diplomacy
• Children’s Diplomacy
• Historical Memory
• Gastronomic Diplomacy
• Volunteering

The official languages of the competition are Russian, English, Spanish, French, and Arabic.

In 2026, national stages of the competition will be held in 15 countries:

• Commonwealth of Australia
• State of Japan
• Italian Republic
• Kingdom of Spain
• Kingdom of Sweden
• Republic of Latvia
• Republic of India
• Republic of Uzbekistan
• Russian Federation
• Tunisian Republic
• Federal Republic of Germany
• Republic of Finland
• French Republic
• Republic of Estonia
• Republic of South Africa

The chairman of the international jury is Rashid Alimov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (2016–2018).

Competition timeline for 2026 (10 February – 21 September):

• 10 February – 31 March: Application period
• 1 April – 1 June: Leadership educational course for participants
• April–June: National stages
• April–September: Regional stages and award ceremonies within the World Public Summits (Arab World, Africa, Europe, Latin America)
• 19–20 September: International Stage
• 20 September: Award ceremony for the International Stage at the World Public Summit in Moscow

Laureates of the Competition receive the right to have their profiles and key projects published in the open database of public diplomacy leaders on the competition’s website. They are also invited to serve as experts for international projects of the Assembly of the Peoples of the World.

Organizers of the competition include: The Assembly of the Peoples of the World, the Directorate of the World Public Summit, the SCO Public Diplomacy Center in Uzbekistan, BRICS Chamber of Commerce (India), Al-Mamoun University College (Iraq), Central Union of Workers of Brazil CTB (Brazil), “Her Voice” Foundation (Zambia), Eurasian Partnership Association (Austria), International Movement for Revival (MIR FF, France), “Russian World” Educational Center in Rome (Italy), Tunisian-Russian Chamber of Commerce (Tunisia), Sun Ray ry International Children’s Aid Foundation (Finland), MaxiFast International Education Center (Australia), Assembly of the Peoples of Russia, “Formula of Friendship” Children’s and Youth Diplomacy Platform (Russia), Koreeda Enterprises Co., Ltd. (Japan), Russian Children’s Center in Cape Town (South Africa).

The competition is held with the support of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation and Rossotrudnichestvo (Federal Agency for CIS Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation).

Applications may be submitted at: https://public-diplomacy.org/ru/c/v-mezdunarodnyi-konkurs/applications or via email: public-diplomacy@world-assembly.org.

Information about the competition and its results is published on public-diplomacy.org, on the information platforms of the Assembly of the Peoples of the World, partner organizations, and in the media.

Additional media inquiries: media@world-assembly.org.

Source: https://eurasia-assembly.org/ru/news/v-mezhdunarodnyy-konkurs-lider-obshchestvennoy-diplomatii-ohvatit-bolee-100-stran-i-5

23 February 2026

About the author: Dragana Trifkovic

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