On February 12, 2026 members of the Council of Young Diplomats (CYD) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia—Astanda Pataraya, Victoria Malania, Astamur Asabua, and Said Tarba—participated in the First Conference of the International Association of Young Diplomats (IAYD) via videoconference.

Representatives of the Moscow diplomatic corps, young foreign policy officers, and representatives of international organizations and government agencies gathered at MGIMO University.

Forum participants learned about leading Russian educational projects. In addition, an inaugural session of the IAYD Secretariat was held, officially opened on the sidelines of the conference and will operate at MGIMO University.

The International Association of Young Diplomats was officially established with the support of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2021 and provides a unique discussion platform for developing of professional ties, strengthening of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and expanding of trust between states.

Currently, the organization unites over 250 young foreign policy officers from 61 countries. The Council of Ministers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia has been a permanent member of the International Association since 2022.