Role of Public Diplomacy in International Relations Discussed in Russia’s State Duma
Diplomacy takes many forms, but its core purpose is to maintain dialogue, identify common interests, and bring them to fruition, stated Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He was responding to a question from the State Duma Deputy and General Secretary of the General Confederation of Trade Unions Viktor Pinsky regarding the role and significance of public diplomacy in strengthening peace, stability, and good-neighborly relations.
More diplomacy is always better. There is no such thing as too much diplomacy—whether it is state diplomacy, presidential diplomacy, parliamentary diplomacy, or, of course, public diplomacy. There is also scientific, humanitarian, and cultural diplomacy. There are many forms existing. The essence of all types of diplomacy is to maintain dialogue, seek common interests, and implement them in practice,” Lavrov emphasized.
The topic of public diplomacy was discussed on February 11 during the government hour in Russia’s State Duma, with the participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
“We regularly hold meetings with non-governmental organizations in our ministry. I personally hold such meetings on an annual basis, and my deputies and department heads engage daily with numerous public diplomacy projects. I believe the more such projects, the better,” the Russian Foreign Minister stressed.
Viktor Pinsky noted that international trade union associations serve as a good example of an effective and in-demand public diplomacy.
Trade unions exchange experiences in protecting labor rights, social guarantees, and economic interests of citizens. This practical, constructive work unites people from different countries around the shared values of social justice. Such dialogue contributes to shaping a positive international agenda,” Pinsky said.
GCTU News
-
Belarusian Trade, Consumer Cooperation and Entrepreneurship Workers' Union Turns 95
The Trade, Consumer Cooperation and Entrepreneurship Workers' Union of the Republic of Belarus celebrated its 95th anniversary on July 31. Today, the union unites over 143,000 industry workers across the country, with 1,681 primary trade union organizations. The union reliably protects the rights of industry workers in the Republic and actively operates on the international stage as part of the International Confederation of Trade Unions of Workers in Trade, Catering, Consumer Cooperation, and Various Forms of Entrepreneurship.
-
GCTU Proposes Discussing Harmonization of National Social Partnership Systems at a Special Meeting of the Advisory Labour Council
The General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU) proposed adding a special section to the 2028 CIS Year of Social Development and Quality of Life preparation plan, dedicated to events aimed at improving social partnership.
The proposals for the draft plan of the Year of Social Development and Quality of Life were discussed during the first meeting of the Working Group of the Advisory Council on Labour, Employment, and Social Protection of the Population of the CIS Member States. The meeting took place today at the CIS Executive Committee in Minsk via video conference.
-
Viktor Pinsky: "The meeting of the General Confederation of Trade Unions Council in Dushanbe is a landmark event for the entire trade union movement of the Commonwealth of Independent States"
Dushanbe, Tajikistan, July 1, 2026 – Viktor Pinsky, Chairman of the Commission of the Russian State Duma on Regulations and Organisation of State Duma Activities and General Secretary of the General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU), called the meeting of the GCTU Council, held on July 1 in Dushanbe, a landmark event for the trade unions of the Commonwealth of Independent States.