05/07/2025
Dear Excellencies, Dear partners, Dear readers,
What a busy first semester it has been! We were proud to witness first-hand some important milestones, most notably the first EU-Central Asia Summit, where both sides elevated their cooperation to the level of a strategic partnership. After a brief hiatus last year, the Astana International Forum returned as an important space of reflection and resolve, seeking dialogue and direction in a turbulent world. And we also put the spotlight on two recent high-level conferences – the International Conference on Glaciers' Preservation and the Samarkand Climate Forum – whose message was crystal clear: urgent climate action is needed ahead of and at COP30.
This is also a special year for the African Union-European Union partnership, celebrating its 25th anniversary and characterised by a growing momentum. To understand the present and future of this important partnership, we bring you perspectives from South Africa, Lesotho and Ethiopia, among others, in addition to two special features devoted to Cameroon and Zambia, two fast-growing, emerging African countries with plenty of untapped potential and opportunity.
At Diplomatic World, we pride ourselves in giving all nations a voice, because what matters is not the size of the country but the quality and the value of the ideas which it brings to the table. You will read high-level contributions from Barbados and St Lucia, countries at the forefront of the climate crisis and whose voices need to be heard, and those, like Cuba, advocating for a more just and equitable international order.
A growing strand of work for Diplomatic World is focused on nation branding, a vital element of long-term strategy for countries seeking to shape their place in an increasingly interconnected world. As global narratives evolve and competition for attention, trust, and investment grows, countries that define and communicate their values with clarity and purpose are better positioned to thrive across all sectors. Effective nation branding therefore holds the potential to offer countries a distinct competitive edge. I wish you an enlightened reading,
Barbara Dietrich - CEO - Diplomatic World
Dear Excellencies, Dear partners, Dear readers,