The Symposium "Science  Diplomacy for Peace and Development" was held at the Technical University of Georgia under the co-organization of the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia and the Francophonie University Agency. The topic  of the first session was "Diplomacy for Science," while the second session was centered on "Science for Diplomacy and the Role of the Diaspora in Science Diplomacy."

At the opening of the symposium, Academician Davit Gurgenidze, Rector of the Technical University of Georgia, highlighted that the topic of the symposium resonates profoundly with the complex global processes currently underway. According to his statement, science diplomacy, which relies on fundamental concepts and collaborative research among scientists from different countries—including Georgian researchers working in leading scientific centers and organizations—is a powerful tool for promoting peace and development worldwide.

Nodar Papukashvili, Deputy Minister of Education, Science  and Youth of Georgia, emphasized that the topic  of the international symposium is highly relevant in light of current global events. In the transnational  relations, the framework agreements signed by our country with other states consistently emphasize the importance of education, science, and diplomacy. The alignment of scientific and diplomatic goals, along with mutual cooperation, is therefore crucial.

Teimuraz Dochviri,  Director General  of the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia, emphasized that, in light of current global events, promoting constructive dialogue and collaboration between states across various fields—beyond of the  science—is of utmost importance. The active involvement of scientists from educational and research institutions in conflict regions is especially valued in events aimed at fostering peaceful, friendly, and equitable relations between countries. Peace is essential for global stability and human development, as progress is unattainable without it.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Vladimir Konstantinidi took part in the event and highlighted the importance of the science diplomacy in the mitigation of the conflicts among the regions; and scientists and experts from different  countries, including Professor Yuval Garin from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Associate Professor Sergey Berezhko from Lviv Polytechnic National University in Ukraine; Eugene Vizir, Director of the Diplomatic Institute at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova; Eric Piaget, a representative of the United Nations University, Institute for Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS); and notable participants.

Very important speeches were delivered by Nunu Mickevich, Executive Director of the International Education Center and Associate Professor at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, and Professor Manana Tandashvili from Goethe University Frankfurt. The event was attended by Associate Professor Kakheber Kvashilava from Sukhumi State University, representatives from higher educational institutions and research institutes in Georgia, as well as from international organizations collaborating with the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia. Representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia were also present.

 The goal of the Science Diplomacy Symposium is to bring together science, diplomacy, politics, and academia to promote collaboration and networking, address global challenges, and support international scientific cooperation.