Lecture by Lyubov Abravitova, Director of the Department of Africa and Regional African Organizations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

On April 24, 2026, with the assistance of the Department of International Organizations and the Diplomatic Service of the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, a practice-oriented professional meeting was held with Mrs.Lyubov ABRAVITOVA, Director of the Department of Africa and Regional African Organizations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. This master class was held with students of the 1st year of higher education of the "Master's" OP "Diplomacy and International Cooperation" in the format of the academic discipline «Multilateral Diplomacy» (Assoc. Prof. Viacheslav TSIVATYI). Topic of the master class: «African states in the modern geopolitical space: multilateral and bilateral diplomacy».

The lecture was devoted to the practice of multilateral and bilateral diplomacy of African states in historical, retrospective and modern dimensions. The lecturer emphasized that this is not just participation in international meetings, but an active strategy for self-affirmation of the continent as an influential global player. The main instrument of multilateralism is the African Union. Under the slogan "African solutions for African problems", the states of the continent seek to minimize external interference. The African Union coordinates security, peacekeeping and counter-terrorism efforts (eg through the Peace and Security Council).

Emphasis was also placed on the fact that the modern diplomacy of the states of the continent is moving away from focusing only on the former metropolises. Africa skillfully balances the interests of the US, China, the EU, India and Turkey, using the competition of great powers to attract investment in its infrastructure. Africa's multilateral diplomacy has transformed from a passive object of international politics to an active subject that dictates its own terms and shapes the global agenda.

Of particular interest to students of higher education during the discussion is the twenty-year practical experience of Mrs. Lyubov ABRAVITOVA (Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the second class) in the central office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and during long-term foreign missions to African countries, especially in the conditions of martial law in Ukraine.

The lecture was made possible thanks to the long-term practice of cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, within the framework of which diplomats-practitioners join the teaching of academic disciplines. In this way, students of higher education receive invaluable knowledge, professional competences and practical skills in the field of practical diplomacy in order to be better prepared for their future profession.

Those seeking higher education thanked Mrs. Lyubov ABRAVITOVIA with thunderous applause for an interesting lecture, and received comprehensive answers to all their questions.

See you again at the Center for Public and Cultural Diplomacy of the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations (office 106, 1st floor, coordinators: Prof. Viktor MATVIENKO, Assoc. Prof. Viacheslav TSIVATYI), which functions under the Department of International Organizations and Diplomatic Service! Personal words of gratitude for the organization of meetings to the Methodist department – Nataliya POLYN!