Round Table Discussion “Space Diplomacy: History and Modernity”

On November 13, 2025, the Primakov Centre hosted a round table dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Program “Intercosmos”. The event brought together leading experts and specialists in the field of space diplomacy and international cooperation.

Mikhail Mikhailovich Leonov, Vice Rector for Educational Work and Youth Policy of Samara University, made his welcoming speech to the participants in the round table, outlining the relevance of the topic raised and wishing a productive discussion.

Olga Vladimirovna Selivanova, Deputy Director of the Archives of the Russian Academy of Sciences, presented historical aspects of space diplomacy and documents from the RAS Archives, related to the Program “Intercosmos”.

Olga Grigorievna Gurina, Deputy Director of the Samara Space Museum and Exhibition Centre, spoke about the first flight under the Program “Intercosmos” and its significance for international cooperation, “Not only us, but the cosmonauts themselves say, 'One cannot see the borders from outer space'.

Olga Alekseevna Gubareva, author of educational projects dedicated to outer space, shared her thoughts on the continuation of the mission of the Program “Intercosmos” and the importance of the Russian language for international cooperation, “The first language spoken in orbit is Russian. Thus, as usual, our country has set the tone for communicating in outer space”.

Asya Sergeevna Ovchinnikova, consultant at the Russian House of Science and Culture in Paris, highlighted the subject of Russian-French cooperation in the field of space diplomacy.

Igor Vitalievich Belokonov, Head of Samara University’s Interuniversity Department of Space Research, spoke about training personnel for developing countries in the field of space technologies, “Our activities allow us to be worthy successors of the results achieved in the Soviet Union under the Program “Intercosmos”. Of course, we need our own “Intercosmos”. We would be happy to cooperate with developing countries”.

Nelson Edmondovich Avakyan, Chairman of the MGIMO Space Diplomacy Club of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made a presentation on modern aspects of cooperation in outer space within the BRICS framework.

The event atmosphere was warm and friendly. The round table was also attended by activists of the Youth Diplomacy Club, pupils of Hero of the Soviet Union I.V. Panfilov School No. 116 and Hero of the Soviet Union V. N. Zhalnin School No. 81.

We thank all the speakers and participants for their contribution to developing international cooperation in the field of outer space.

Text by: Guzyalia Shakurova, an officer of the Primakov Centre

Photo by: Alina Aleksandrovna Kavtaskina, 5302-420302D