The Symposium – “Scientific Diplomacy for Peace and Development” was opened at the Technical University of Georgia, co-organized by the Shota Rustaveli Georgian National Science Foundation of the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia and the University Agency of Francophonie (AUF).

Representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, the Committee on Diaspora and Caucasus Affairs of the Parliament of Georgia and the diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia, scientists from different countries of the world, including those from conflict regions - Associate Professor of Lviv Polytechnic University of Ukraine Sergey Berezhko, Professor Yuval Garin of the Technion University of Israel, Director of the Diplomatic Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova Eugeniu Vizir, representative of the United Nations University Institute for Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS) Eric Piaget, as well as Georgian scientific diaspora, Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia partner international organizations and Administration representatives of the Technical University of Georgia participate in the work of the symposium.

The rector of the Technical University of Georgia, academician Davit Gurgenidze opened the symposium and welcomed the participants. According to the rector, scientific diplomacy, which is based on the fundamental concepts and joint research of researchers from different countries, including Georgian scientists, working in powerful scientific centers and organizations, is a powerful lever for peace and development in the world.

“We are glad that the Technical University of Georgia is hosting an important symposium – “Scientific Diplomacy for Peace and Development”, which is organized by the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia and the University Agency of Francophonie and is supported by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth of Georgia, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. We welcome Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Youth Nodar Papukashvili, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Konstantinidis, representatives of the diplomatic corps, General Director of the Rustaveli National Science Foundation, Teimuraz Dochvir, Head of the South Caucasus Region of AUF, Muhammad Ketata, Georgian and foreign scientists participating in the forum, international representatives of the organizations – and all those who with their tireless intellectual work, internationalization of science and education, and scientific collaborations strengthen scientific diplomacy.

 Scientific relations and research collaborations between countries strongly develop scientific diplomacy, in which, you will agree, the contribution of universities, including the Technical University of Georgia and its researchers, is great. With the great support of the Government of Georgia – Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, and personally, Minister Giorgi Amilakhvari, Georgian scientists and scientific centers actively participate in international collaborations. It helps the integration of the Georgian scientific-academic field in the international space, the expansion and deepening of relations with the leading countries of Europe, America, and Asia, involvement in fundamental concepts, joint international research and scientific experiments, promotes the upbringing of young generations of scientists and the striving jointly overcome global challenges. These processes shape scientific diplomacy and, on a global scale, create powerful levers for peace and development.

“Making science religious and faith scientific” - these words of Great Ilya dedicated to the memory of Saint Gabriel Kykodze are his most important will and message for our country, as well as for the rest of humanity. We believe that the true meaning of these words is the foundation of scientific diplomacy.

I want our friends to know that Georgia has always been a country with a European outlook, and we consider our future and place in the modern European family. Since 2012, under the leadership of Bidzina Ivanishvili, our country, which has gone through many obstacles on the way to independence, has achieved great success – and one of them is to become the candidate for EU membership. Georgia is a successful and strong state with many parameters, especially in terms of democracy and economic development, not only in the region but also in the world. The contribution of universities in these processes, including the Technical University of Georgia, is superb. University diplomacy, which is created jointly by the professors and teachers of the Technical University of Georgia, researchers, and the army of thousands of students, is an integral part of international scientific diplomacy. The theme of the symposium and the speeches is completely relevant to today’s situation in our country and the world. Once again, we want to thank the organizers for holding this extremely significant forum on time, and we wish success to the participants and scientists who work for peace and development in the world”, said Davit Gurgenidze in his speech.

The participants of the forum were welcomed by the Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, Nodar Papukashvili, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Vladimir Konstantinidis, the General Director of the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia, Teimuraz Dochviri, and the head of the South Caucasus region of the University Agency of Francophonie (AUF), Muhammad Ketata.

As the speakers have mentioned, the symposium aims to unite science, diplomacy, politics, and academic fields and to promote the creation of a unified network of science diplomacy to solve global challenges. According to them, international scientific cooperation will strengthen the role of science diplomacy and will influence diplomacy, policy-making, and international relations.

The Symposium – “Scientific Diplomacy for Peace and Development” at the Technical University of Georgia is held in two sessions: Science for diplomacy, Diplomacy for Science, and the Diaspora Role for Science Diplomacy.