Report by Ms. Maria Deeva, the City of Volgograd, Russia
From October 31st – November 1st, Volgograd, the Russian Lead City and a Vice President City of Mayors for Peace held an International Forum of People’s Diplomacy called “Dialogue on the Volga: Peace and Mutual Understanding in the 21st Century.” This online event featured two panel discussions, one of which united Mayors for Peace members cities with each other.
The “Dialogue on the Volga,” co-organized by the administration of the City of Volgograd, the administration of the Volgograd Region, and the “Rossotrudnichestvo” Federal Agency for International Humanitarian Cooperation, aimed to strengthen ties, to expand international civic links, and to contribute to resolutions of global and regional problems as well as the safe development of people and countries.
The event was timed to the World Cities Day. On that very day, a discussion on “Cities for Peace and Mutual Understanding” took place with an opening video message by the Mayors for Peace President Kazumi Matsui. Its experts, including Secretary General Koizumi, mayors, deputy mayors, and international officers from Volgograd (Russia), Granollers (Spain), Tehran (Iran), Hannover (Germany), Muntinlupa (Philippines) and Bangkok (Thailand), discussed Mayors for Peace’s initiatives and roles in achieving the SDGs as well as inter-city solidarity during the pandemic.
Photos: courtesy of the City of Volgograd
The event was concluded with Secretary General Koizumi’s remarks about what cities can do to promote peace and mutual understanding amid the global crisis.