Anatoly Torkunov

Rector of MGIMO-University
Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Member of the Board of the Russian Foreign Ministry

20.04.2021
Ambassador of Israel Gives First "Ambassadorial Dialogue" Lecture

April 20th, the Ambassador of Israel to Russia Alexander Ben Zvi came to MGIMO to talk to students in the framework of a new course of lectures, the "Ambassadorial Dialogue", organized by the School of International Relations. MGIMO Rector A.Torkunov greeted the guest of the University. After having a conversation with the Rector, the Ambassador delivered a lecture to the students on practical diplomacy in contemporary international relations.

19.04.2021
Opening of Model UN 2021

April 19th, MGIMO hosted the opening ceremony of the XXII Vitaly Churkin Moscow International Model UN (C-MIMUN 2021). The ceremony began with a welcome speech by the Rector of MGIMO, Chairman of the Russian Association for the promotion of the United Nations A.Torkunov. He noted that this year's agenda covers a very wide range of topics, closely linked with the current situation in the world. The Rector highlighted the main topics to be discussed including the problem of migration, space exploration, and education of various groups of the population in the field of agriculture. The speaker remarked that delegates from 31 countries are taking part in C-MIMUN this year. A.Torkunov also related to the audience the history of the Moscow V.Churkin International Model UN and emphasized its international reputation. Vitaly Ivanovich Churkin was himself a highly respected figure in the international community.

7.04.2021
French Order of Academic Palms Awarded to M.Ogorodov and L.Chitakhova

April 7th, MGIMO hosted a ceremony during which the Head of the department of the French language M.Ogorodov and Associate Professor of the department L.Chitakhova were decorated with the Order of the Academic Palms of France. Bestowed on behalf of the Minister of National Education, Youth and Sports of France, the awards were presented in a solemn atmosphere by the Ambassador of France to Russia Pierre Levy. The Ambassador was introduced to the audience by the Rector A.Torkunov, who spoke about the long-running history of Russian-French cooperation and the opening in 1993 of the first Russian master's dual degree program between MGIMO and Sciences Po.

7.04.2021
Final of III V.Trediakovsky French Oratory Competition

April 7th, the final stage of the third Vasily Trediakovsky Oratory Competition in French took place. The first prize was awarded to Daria Nazarova, a 4th year student of the School of International Journalism. MGIMO Rector, Co-chairman of the Russian-French Trianon Dialogue A.Torkunov and the Ambassador of France to Russia P.Levy gave welcome speeches to the contestants, the members of the jury and guests of the event.

1.04.2021
Swedish Ambassador at MGIMO

April 1st, the Ambassador of Sweden to Russia Malena Mard came to MGIMO University. The guest was received by the Rector of the University A.Torkunov. The sides spoke about the main areas of academic cooperation between MGIMO and Swedish universities and agreed on the importance of deepening student contacts.

31.03.2021
Trianon Dialogue and IFRI Launch Discussion on Climate Change

March 31st, in the framework of the Trianon Dialogue, the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI) opened a series of online seminars on climate change in Russia and France. The co-chairs of the Trianon Dialogue A.Torkunov and P.Morel launched the event with opening speeches. Anatoly Torkunov remarked that by selecting the topic of ecology, the Trianon Dialogue has given a powerful impetus to the development of Russian-French projects in the field of environmental education, nature management and the protection of biodiversity.

11.03.2021
MGIMO Rector Welcomes Egyptian Ambassador

March 11th, MGIMO Rector A.Torkunov, the Director of MIEP V.Salygin and the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Russian Federation Ihab Akhmet Talaat Nasr had a meeting. The sides spoke about the ways of enhancing Russian-Egyptian cooperation in the energy sector, as well as in education and research.

22.02.2021
A.Torkunov at IDEX Exhibition 2021

February 21st-25th, the 15th IDEX International Defence Exhibition, the largest and most prestigious event of this type in the world, is unfolding in Abu Dhabi. This year MGIMO Rector A.Torkunov, also a member of the Board of Directors of Rosoboronexport is participating in the exhibition. IDEX is a unique platform where the latest developments in the field of weapons and military equipment are presented. The organizer of the Russian exposition at IDEX, which occupies over 1200 sq. m., is Rosoboronexport. The thematic focus of the exhibition is the latest technology across land, sea and air sectors of defence.

18.02.2021
Canadian Ambassador Comes to MGIMO

February 18th, MGIMO Rector A.Torkunov met with the Ambassador of Canada to the Russian Federation Alison LeClaire. The parties spoke about the current state of bilateral relations and examined the prospects for the development of Russian-Canadian relations in various fields. They also discussed at length collaboration in education and research between MGIMO and universities of Canada, including the possibility of increasing student exchanges. MGIMO currently has a cooperation agreement with the University of Ottawa, the largest bilingual university in North America.

18.02.2021
Meeting of ASEAN Center Executive Board

February 18th, in a hybrid format, the 18th meeting of the Executive Council of the ASEAN Center unfolded with the Ambassador of Brunei to Russia Haini Hashim (co-chairman of the council on the ASEAN side), the Ambassador of Indonesia to Russia Jose Antonio Morato Tavares and the Ambassador of Vietnam to Russia Ngo Duc Manh attending, along with a number of diplomats from other embassies of the member countries of the Association. MGIMO Rector A.Torkunov delivered a welcome speech to the audience, noting that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the ASEAN Center had managed to successfully pursue its activities online in 2020.