On October 1, 2026, the 4th International Scientific Conference "Shamba Readings" took place at the Abkhazian State University. The event was dedicated to the memory of the prominent public and political figure, legal scholar, Doctor of Law, and Professor Taras Mironovich Shamba.

The conference theme was "The Inviolability of Abkhazia’s Independence and the Unacceptability of Georgia’s Territorial Claims: a Scientific Disproof of Pavel Ingorokva’s Pseudo-theory and Its Ideological Equivalents."

Odissei Bigvava, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia, participated in the conference.

In his address, Odissei Bigvava highlighted the role of the scientific community in preserving historical memory, developing political and legal arguments, and supporting Abkhazia’s foreign policy activities.

Particular attention was paid to the need for an objective and comprehensive study of Abkhazia’s history, drawing upon a variety of sources.

"Our approach should not be to put one politicized concept against another, but rather to conduct a systematic study of the sources. Archaeology, linguistics, written records, anthropology, and demographic data must be examined in conjunction with one another," the Deputy Minister noted.

"History should be a realm of evidence, not a tool for political confrontation," he emphasized. During his address, Odissei Bigvava also spoke about the International Discussions on Security and Stability in Transcaucasia (IDSS), issues regarding security and the non-use of force, and the need to resume the work of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in the Gal Region.

"For Abkhazia, the International Discussions on Security and Stability in Transcaucasia (IDSS) serve not merely as a negotiating platform but also as a space for international diplomatic argumentation. Here, what matters is not only statements but also documents, facts, and wording that become part of the international political and legal landscape," he stated.

Particular attention was paid to the development of science diplomacy and the strengthening of cooperation between research institutions and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Research conducted today in Sukhum must become part of Abkhazia’s professional argumentation on international platforms," ​​Odissei Bigvava emphasized.

In conclusion, the Deputy Minister highlighted the need to create a unified scientific and documentary database on key issues of Abkhazia's history, to strengthen collaboration between research institutions and the foreign policy agency, and to train a new generation of researchers and diplomats.

"This is precisely where I see one of the key purposes of the 'Shamba Readings': to serve not only as a tribute to an outstanding scholar but also as a permanent scientific platform whose results can benefit Abkhazia—whether in Sukhum, Geneva, or on other international stages," Odissei Bigvava noted.