On 21 May 2026, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Olexandr Mischenko  held a meeting with Juhana Lehtinen, Senior Project Manager at the Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation.

During the meeting, the parties discussed preparations for a strategic seminar for heads of Ukraine’s diplomatic missions in the Middle East and North Africa region, which, according to the updated arrangements, is planned to take place in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, in autumn 2026.

The event will bring together heads of Ukraine’s diplomatic missions in Arabic-speaking countries of the region, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, as well as Ukrainian and regional experts on Middle Eastern and North African affairs. Particular attention was paid to ensuring that the seminar is conducted under the Chatham House Rule.

The meeting was also attended by experts who will participate in the seminar, including Pavlo Klimkin, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (2014-2019) and Adviser to the Foundation, and Hanna Shelest, Director of the Security Studies Programme at the Foreign Policy Council “Ukrainian Prism”.

The parties discussed the organisational arrangements for the seminar and its key objectives, including strengthening coordination among Ukraine’s diplomatic missions in the region, developing a shared strategic vision, and formulating practical recommendations for advancing Ukraine’s cooperation with the countries of the Middle East and North Africa.

It was noted that the initiative is being implemented within the framework of the Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation’s project “Strengthening Ukraine’s Global Partnerships”, aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s engagement with international partners in the context of the consequences of Russia’s aggression and fostering conditions for sustainable peace. In the Middle East and North Africa region, the Foundation has also established the Ukraine-Arab Expert Platform, which seeks to promote dialogue between Ukrainian and regional experts.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties confirmed their mutual interest in further cooperation to ensure the successful preparation and conduct of the event.