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Siberia Baikal Irkutsk - At the Center of Everything
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 At the beginning of August, in the very center of the Eurasian continent, in Siberia near Lake Baikal in Irkutsk, rASiA Baikal 2019, a marathon of business events was held.
Photo: Ralph Simon, Chief Executive Mobilium.com and Alexander Shulgin, Visionary, investor, composer
There were no major international forums and conferences in this place before, the nearest events were held one thousand kilometers to the west and four thousand kilometers to the east in Vladivostok. The initiator of the project, a recognized visionary, international investor and composer Alexander Shulgin understood that he was taking a risk: "I considered this idea as a startup. The first season went by and we created a working model for multifunctional collaboration between local entrepreneurs and innovators, but also cooperation between colleagues from all five continents and from BRICS countries. A successful investor who has invested in more than a hundred companies, including world-famous brands, was right this time. The events were a great success, for it being the first time. More than a thousand participants, more than a hundred foreign experts and leaders from 44 countries, more than 50 speakers from 23 countries came to Irkutsk to start a new era in Siberia.
At the opening ceremony of the events on the first day, Mr. Sergey Sokol, Chairman of the Irkutsk Region's Legislative Assembly, delivered a welcoming speech. "I am sure that the knowledge gained at the forum about the latest trends in innovation, tourism, volunteering and other areas will help us to set new goals and objectives, coordinate and improve the work aimed at the prosperity of the Irkutsk region and its residents,” said Sergei Sokol. “We are always ready to develop and will look forward to the results of the sessions in order to put the knowledge gained into practice and take another step forward." Irkutsk Region with its rich natural resources, scientific and human resources potential can claim to become a platform for the creation of the most advanced technologies and technologies of the future."
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Linking Korea’s Development to Africa
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 Korea‘s (ROK) investment on the African continent is just 2% of its global total, said Deputy Speaker of the Korean National Assembly, Mr Lee Ju Young. He was speaking to The Diplomatic Society while leading a delegation of senior Korean parliamentarians and experienced politicians, to engage in comprehensive discussions with South African business and government, to identify opportunities for trade, tourism and investment to overcome challenges to fast track and increase existing current cooperation and interactions.
Photo: Mr Kirtan Bhana, founding editor of The Diplomatic Society interviewing Mr Lee Ju Young, Deputy Speaker of the Korean National Assembly
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Walking in the Footsteps of Giants - ASEAN
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 As current Chair of the ASEAN Pretoria Committee, Mr Thai-Keong Chua, High Commissioner of Singapore hosted a luncheon in celebration of the 52nd Anniversary of ASEAN. Gracing the occasion was Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of SA International Relations and Cooperation who said he was "a bit boastful" in sharing with the ASEAN members the recent signing of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. He, however said that Africa is walking in the footsteps of giants, as ASEAN has been a free trade block since 1992. Photo: Mr Dzulazhar Musa, Deputy High Commissioner of Malaysia, Mr Salman Al Farisi, Ambassador of Indonesia, Mr Joseph Gerard B. Angeles, Ambassador of Philippines, Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of SA International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Thai-Keong Chua, High Commissioner of Singapore, Mr U Myint Swe, Ambassador of Myanmar, Mr Vu Van Dzung, Ambassador of Vietnam and Mr Komate Kamalanavin, Ambassador of Thailand Mr Thai-Keong Chua, High Commissioner of Singapore addressing guests said that the members of ASEAN are a diverse group of countries and are richer because of their differences. “The ASEAN model is based first and foremost on mutual respect and self-respect. We reject any one race, religion, ideology or state that claims a superior knowledge of human or divine truth or absolute right. Diversity and differences do not have to be surrendered as precondition for closer political, economic and social integration.”
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Hungarian Universities Scholarships
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 The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme which is available for students from 70 countries worldwide is the Hungarian Government’s contribution to academic excellence said Mr Andras Kiraly, Ambassador of Hungary to South Africa. He was speaking at reception, held at the Embassy of Hungary in Pretoria, for a group of 52 South African students who were awarded the prestigious scholarship.
Photo: (l-r) Thabile Diphofa, Mr Andras Kiraly, Ambassador of Hungary, Siphesihle Nene, Mabore Thema and Lehlohonolo Diale
The programme is in its third year and is gaining in popularity as students returning to South Africa share their experiences of this country in Central Europe that is steeped in history. “Focus on your studies and ask for assistance, especially the newcomers to our beautiful, diverse and culturally rich country,” encouraged Ambassador Kiraly.
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First Meeting of the IORA Maritime Safety and Security Working Group
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 The First Meeting of the IORA Maritime Safety and Security Working Group was held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka as the current Coordinating Country for Maritime Safety and Security (MSS) in IORA on 8 – 9 August 2019 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The IORA Maritime Safety and Security Working Group (WGMSS) was established last year at an Initial Workshop held for this purpose on 4 – 5 September 2018, in Sri Lanka. The Meeting was preceded by a stimulating panel discussion on ‘’Emerging scenarios related to safety and security in the Indian Ocean” that saw the active participation of MSS experts. https://www.iora.int/en The Meeting itself saw an impressive gathering of MSS officials and experts from 16 IORA Member States (Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Oman, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Tanzania), and IORA Secretariat officials. This Meeting provided a platform for IORA Member States to finalise the draft Work Plan for the WGMSS which has been drawn up for an initial period of two years so as to achieve the objectives of: Building the foundation for a collaborative IORA MSS Framework based on the respective needs and priorities of Member States; Establishing an integrated policy approach on MSS, including through capability enhancement and capacity building; and Establishing a Coordinated Regional Vision for MSS in IORA to address existing and emerging issues.
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JULY/AUGUST 2019 Print Edition
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