Against the backdrop of escalating conflicts in West Asia, including the ongoing Iran–Israel tensions and the prolonged war in Ukraine, global leaders and civil society representatives convened in India for the World Public Summit 2026, placing cultural diplomacy and multilateral cooperation at the centre of peace-building efforts.
Held under the theme “Values That Unite”, the summit, organised by the World Peoples Assembly, positioned itself as a platform to foster dialogue, promote shared global values, and strengthen international partnerships at a time of deep geopolitical fragmentation.
Cultural Diplomacy amid War and Instability
Speakers at the summit repeatedly highlighted that traditional diplomacy alone has struggled to resolve ongoing conflicts, particularly in volatile regions like West Asia.
Alena Dolgopolova, State Secretary of the World Peoples Assembly, emphasised that cultural cooperation could serve as a critical tool to mitigate tensions.
“At a time when wars are ongoing, and societies are deeply affected, culture has the ability to rebuild understanding, through art, cinema, history, and dialogue,” she said, adding that such engagement can “restore emotional and social balance in conflict-hit societies.”
Her remarks come as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and broader West Asian instability continue to impact global energy markets, trade routes, and economic stability, issues of direct concern to countries like India.
BRICS Engagement Gains Traction
The summit also underscored growing engagement with BRICS nations, particularly in shaping an alternative framework for global cooperation amid rising geopolitical polarisation.
Dolgopolova confirmed that the organisation has partnered with BRICS Chambers of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI) to expand outreach and bring together young leaders and stakeholders focused on economic and social transformation.
While refraining from commenting directly on financial systems, she acknowledged the broader discourse within BRICS around de-dollarisation and financial sovereignty.
“It is important for every country to maintain its sovereignty. Facilitating trade in national currencies could make global financial exchanges more balanced,” she added.
The comments come at a time when BRICS nations are facing increasing scrutiny and pressure from Western economies over efforts to reshape global financial and institutional architectures.
India’s Role in a Divided World
India’s position as host of the summit was repeatedly highlighted as symbolically and strategically significant, particularly given its expanding role in global diplomacy and its balancing act across geopolitical blocs.
Svetlana Smirnova, Chairperson of the General Council of the World Peoples Assembly, described India–Russia ties as a “model of cooperation” in a fragmented world order, while stressing that the summit’s objective is not to deepen divisions between the Global South and Global North.
“We should not divide the world into blocs. Humanity shares one planet and one future,” she said.
Speakers also pointed to India’s philosophical ethos, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family), as aligning closely with the summit’s core vision of conscious global unity.
Towards a new Global Architecture
The World Public Summit, held annually across continents, aims to contribute to what organisers describe as a “new architecture of international communication”—one rooted in trust, shared responsibility, and cultural understanding rather than purely strategic or economic interests.
As conflicts in West Asia continue to evolve and major powers remain at odds, the summit’s emphasis on people-to-people engagement and cultural diplomacy reflects a growing recognition that sustainable peace may require solutions beyond conventional statecraft. |
