The inaugural World Public Summit Africa 2026 kicked off at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) headquarters in Addis Ababa, bringing together civil society leaders, youth delegates, and international representatives to bolster public diplomacy and shape global governance. Organized by the Moscow-based World Peoples Assembly alongside partners such as the Global Black Center and Global Serve, the landmark event marks the summit’s first edition on African soil. Over 700 participants—including representatives from more than 400 non-governmental organizations—gathered to promote mutual trust, cultural exchange, and sustainable development across the continent and beyond.
Addressing delegates at the opening session, Tsegaye Chama, Secretary General of the Global Black Center, highlighted Africa’s pivotal role in steering humanity’s future through shared values. Emphasizing the Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu (“I am because we are”), Chama underscored that the continent’s dynamic youth population, creative resilience, and rich heritage serve as essential pillars for global cooperation. He praised the host country, Ethiopia, as a historic beacon of liberation and sovereignty, framing Addis Ababa as the ideal stage to align civil society, business, and academic sectors around shared goals.
Russian Ambassador to Ethiopia Evgeny Terekhin also delivered remarks during the summit, describing the continent’s civilizational model as a key driver in constructing a multipolar world order. Terekhin noted that the traditional values embedded in African philosophy closely mirror Russia’s vision of a just international system, emphasizing civil society’s role in advancing food security, technological independence, and youth-led diplomacy. He noted that the ideas generated in Addis Ababa will directly inform the upcoming Second World Public Summit scheduled for September 2026 in Moscow, as well as the Third Russia-Africa Summit planned for October.
The two-day Pan-African gathering features over 20 panel discussions focused on critical themes including education, innovation, youth empowerment, women in leadership, and cultural preservation. Alongside academic and policy dialogues, the summit includes an artistic exhibition titled “Voices of Unity” at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum, showcasing works from artists representing 16 African nations—including Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Additionally, 10 outstanding figures in public diplomacy are slated to receive formal recognition for their contributions to international civil cooperation during the event.
Established nine years ago, the World Peoples Assembly encompasses a network of more than 3,000 non-governmental organizations across 150 countries. Having previously hosted global public diplomacy summits in Russia, India, and Brazil, the assembly’s continental expansion into Africa reflects a broader international shift toward decentralized, grassroots diplomacy. Event organizers reaffirmed their commitment to translating the summit’s core values into a concrete action plan for continental civil society institutions moving forward.