Closing Ceremony of the World Public Summit: Africa and Awarding of the Regional Stage of the "Leader of Public Diplomacy" Contest Held in Addis Ababa
The solemn closing ceremony of the World Public Summit: Africa "New World: Africa in Shaping a Common Future," which included the award ceremony for the winners of the regional stage of the V International Contest "Public Diplomacy Leader," took place on July 30, 2026, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Opening the ceremony, the organizers emphasized that public diplomacy today is becoming one of the key tools for building trust between peoples. They also noted that Africa is an important center for shaping a new humanitarian agenda, where civil society initiatives are gaining global resonance.
Svetlana Smirnova, Chairperson of the General Council of the World Peoples Assembly, delivered a welcoming address:
- Today, public diplomacy is a necessity: it is through the dialogue of cultures and people's initiatives that genuine trust between countries is formed, - she stressed.
The laureates and participants were congratulated by Tsegae Chama, Secretary General of the Global Black Centre, and Adanech Abebe, Mayor of Addis Ababa. In her speech, Ms. Abebe highlighted the significance of people's diplomacy as "a force capable of transcending borders and shaping a space of mutual understanding."
The key moment of the evening was the awarding of the laureates of the regional stage of the "Public Diplomacy Leader" contest in eight categories: Volunteer Diplomacy, Educational Diplomacy, Scientific Diplomacy, Sports Diplomacy, Tourism Diplomacy, Children's Diplomacy, Environmental Diplomacy, and Business Diplomacy. The winners came from Ethiopia, Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, Zambia, Kenya, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and other countries, presenting projects aimed at developing international cooperation, supporting youth, education, sustainable development, and strengthening intercultural dialogue.
The laureates of the regional stage of the International Contest "Public Diplomacy Leader" in Africa were:
In the category "Business Diplomacy":
Aggrey John (Ghana);
Marlieze Ndjenga (Cameroon);
Aisha Aman Siraj (Ethiopia).
In the category "Volunteer Diplomacy":
Deneke Tariku Negash (Ethiopia);
Kasse Daouda Amadou (Senegal);
Gebre'eneniya Tsegay Gidey (Ethiopia);
Meshack Odede (Kenya).
In the category "Educational Diplomacy":
Bru Ekpome Jean Louis (Côte d'Ivoire);
Christiana Onoja (Nigeria);
Ouko Joseph Bonga (Kenya);
Limota Goroso Giwa (Nigeria).
In the category "Scientific Diplomacy":
Chikumbi Bupe (Zambia).
In the category "Sports Diplomacy":
Lukusa Jean‑Jacques (Congo).
In the category "Children's Diplomacy":
Mudenda Lucille Nazyambu (Zambia).
In the category "Environmental Diplomacy":
Gashaw Abdella Tahir (Ethiopia).
In the category "Tourism Diplomacy":
Etagen Hailemariam (Ethiopia).
A spectacular finale to the evening was the concert "Melodies of Unity," during which culture resonated as a universal language understood without translation. The concert program featured artists from the International Cultural Center "Interclub" of RUDN University under the direction of Director Maria Rogacheva: Elizaveta Komarova, Alexander Medzhinyan, Milena Reshetnyak, Bah Minli Axel‑Tresor, Angba Glory Ochuole, Nana Chulabi Desmond Loic, Juonang Nguepjou Antolin Zulai, Sultana Bilkis, Violetta Tarbeeva, Emmanuel Karehe, as well as performers from the Addis Ababa Theatre with traditional Ethiopian numbers and young singer Elizabeth from Zambia.
The solemn closing ceremony of the World Public Summit: Africa and the awarding of the laureates of the regional stage of the V International Contest "Leaders of Public Diplomacy" became an important milestone in preparation for the contest's final and once again confirmed that public diplomacy today acts as a powerful unifying force, capable of consolidating countries and peoples around the values of peace, cooperation, and sustainable development.
For additional information, please visit the official websites of the World Public Summits and the World Peoples Assembly, or contact media@world-assembly.org.
