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Home/Programs/International Young Diplomats School/Cohorts

Seven cohorts, 2016–2026

The full record of the International Young Diplomats School: every edition, the missions and organisations each cohort visited, the people who received them, and the reports and photographs of each session.

Apply for the 8th IYDSPartner missions
The 6th cohort at the residence of the Ambassador of Austria, December 2025.
The 6th cohort at the residence of the Ambassador of Austria, December 2025.
7editions since 2016
34countries, plus the EU, have hosted or addressed a cohort
6UN agencies and bodies
46hosted sessions in the last four editions
Watch

Seven cohorts on film

Every edition of the School since 2016, and the embassies, high commissions and UN offices that received each cohort.

Every cohort

The record, edition by edition

Reports are by The Diplomatic Insight, IPDS’s sister publication, and IPDS. Names and titles are as they were at the time of each visit. Record updated 30 September 2026.

7th · 20266th · 20255th · 20244th · 20223rd · 20192nd · 20191st · 2016Hosts by cohort

7th International Young Diplomats School12–14 May 2026

Islamabad

Theme: Building Network of Future Leaders through Public Diplomacy

11 engagements with missions and organisations

Eleven engagements in three days, including the missions of three permanent members of the UN Security Council, and a session at the UN Resident Coordinator's Office with UNFPA, UNICEF and UNDP. The school opened the evening before with the U.S. Embassy's Freedom 250 Speaker Series on exchange programmes.

Day 1 report →Day 2 report →Closing report →
7th International Young Diplomats School
7th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of the United States
United States

Embassy of the United States

Public Diplomacy Section, U.S. Embassy

Prelude: the Freedom 250 Speaker Series on how U.S. exchanges build leaders and networks.

7th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Egypt
Egypt

Embassy of Egypt

Ambassador Dr Ihab Mohamed Abdelhamid

Inaugural session: “an embassy is a bridge between two countries”.

Read the report →
7th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina

Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ambassador Emin Čohodarević

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s foreign policy, its diaspora, and its ties with Pakistan.

Read the report →
7th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Denmark
Denmark

Embassy of Denmark

Ambassador Maja Derrous Mortensen

At the residence: Denmark’s mission, Nordic values and Danish business in Pakistan.

Read the report →
7th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of the Russian Federation
Russia

Embassy of the Russian Federation

Cultural Attaché Gleb Shubin

The history of Pakistan–Russia relations, and scholarships for Pakistani students.

Read the report →
7th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe

Embassy of Zimbabwe

Ambassador Titus M.J. Abu-Basutu

Zimbabwe’s foreign policy doctrine and its people-to-people ties with Pakistan.

Read the report →
7th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan

Embassy of Turkmenistan

Ambassador Atadjan Movlamov, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps

Permanent neutrality and shared heritage; the Ambassador presented certificates.

Read the report →
7th IYDS cohort at the Royal Thai Embassy
Thailand

Royal Thai Embassy

Ambassador Rongvudhi Virabutr

“Diplomacy is not just confined to signing agreements”, and a tour of the embassy.

Read the report →
7th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan

Embassy of Azerbaijan

Ambassador Khazar Farhadov

Selected participants were invited to the Independence Day reception.

Read the report →
7th IYDS cohort at the United Nations in Pakistan
UN Resident Coordinator's Office

United Nations in Pakistan

UNFPA, UNICEF and UNDP, led by Dr Gulnara Kadyrkulova, UNFPA Deputy Representative

The UN system at work in Pakistan: “young people are not a homogenous group”.

Read the report →
7th IYDS cohort at the British High Commission
United Kingdom

British High Commission

Mr Matt Cannell, Deputy High Commissioner and Acting High Commissioner

Closing session at the residence, with the Political Counsellor and an economist of the High Commission.

Read the report →

6th International Young Diplomats School9–11 December 2025

Islamabad

Theme: Building Network of Future Leaders through Public Diplomacy

13 engagements with missions and organisations

Thirteen sessions across nine embassies and high commissions, the EU Delegation and three UN bodies, from an inaugural session at the Austrian Ambassador’s residence to a closing visit at the British High Commission.

Cohort report →
6th International Young Diplomats School
6th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Austria
Austria

Embassy of Austria

Ambassador Wolfgang Oliver Kutschera

Inaugural session at the residence: education, business and tourism links with Austria.

Read the report →
6th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe

Embassy of Zimbabwe

Ambassador Titus M.J. Abu-Basutu

Zimbabwe’s history, culture and foreign policy values.

Read the report →
6th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of the Russian Federation
Russia

Embassy of the Russian Federation

Diplomats of the Embassy of the Russian Federation

A guided tour and a briefing on the key events that shape Pakistan–Russia relations.

Read the report →
6th IYDS cohort at the United Nations Development Programme
UNDP

United Nations Development Programme

Resident Representative Dr Samuel Rizk and Deputy Resident Representative Van Nguyen

Governance, climate action and inclusive development.

Read the report →
6th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Nepal
Nepal

Embassy of Nepal

Ambassador Rita Dhital

Nepal’s ties with Pakistan and areas for closer cooperation.

Read the report →
6th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan

Embassy of Kazakhstan

Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin

“Kazakhstan and Pakistan in the 21st Century”.

Read the report →
6th IYDS cohort at the UN Refugee Agency
UNHCR

UN Refugee Agency

Officials of the UNHCR Country Office

The humanitarian mandate, refugees and host communities in Pakistan.

Read the report →
6th IYDS cohort at the International Labour Organization
ILO

International Labour Organization

Country Director Geir Tonstol

Labour rights, decent work and social protection.

Read the report →
6th IYDS cohort at the High Commission of Mauritius
Mauritius

High Commission of Mauritius

High Commissioner Munsoo Kurrimbaccus

Mauritius’s diplomatic priorities, economy and culture.

Read the report →
6th IYDS cohort at the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan
European Union

Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan

Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis

EU–Pakistan relations and the EU as a multilateral actor.

Read the report →
6th IYDS cohort at the Royal Thai Embassy
Thailand

Royal Thai Embassy

Ambassador Rongvudhi Virabutr

The responsibilities of a diplomat; the Ambassador presented certificates.

Read the report →
6th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of the Philippines
Philippines

Embassy of the Philippines

Chargé d’Affaires of the Philippines

Cooperation in education, tourism and people-to-people exchange.

Read the report →
6th IYDS cohort at the British High Commission
United Kingdom

British High Commission

Deputy Head of Mission Martin Dawson

Closing session: UK–Pakistan relations and cooperation.

Read the report →

5th International Young Diplomats School13–15 February 2024

Islamabad, with sessions hosted at the Riphah Institute of Public Policy

Theme: Building Network of Future Leaders through Public Diplomacy

12 engagements with missions and organisations

Twelve sessions with ambassadors and UN agencies. Participants watched Indonesian citizens vote at their embassy on the day of Indonesia’s general election, and the British High Commissioner presented certificates.

Cohort report →
5th International Young Diplomats School
5th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of the Philippines
Philippines

Embassy of the Philippines

Ambassador Maria Agnes M. Cervantes

Inaugural session, including diplomatic protocol and etiquette.

Read the report →
5th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Austria
Austria

Embassy of Austria

Ambassador Andrea Wicke

At the residence: Pakistan–Austria relations since 1956.

Read the report →
5th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Indonesia
Indonesia

Embassy of Indonesia

Chargé d’Affaires of Indonesia

Observed Indonesia’s election being held at the embassy.

Read the report →
5th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan

Embassy of Turkmenistan

Ambassador Atadjan Movlamov, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps

TAPI, connectivity and energy links.

Read the report →
5th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Finland
Finland

Embassy of Finland

Ambassador Hannu Ripatti

Finland’s foreign policy, at the Riphah Institute of Public Policy.

Read the report →
5th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic
Kyrgyzstan

Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic

Ambassador Ulanbek Totuiaev

Trade, education and cultural connections.

Read the report →
5th IYDS cohort at the United Nations Population Fund
UNFPA

United Nations Population Fund

Officials of the UNFPA Country Office

Gender equality, youth and population policy.

Read the report →
5th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Portugal
Portugal

Embassy of Portugal

Ambassador Frederico Silva

The Global South and renewable energy, at the Riphah Institute of Public Policy.

Read the report →
5th IYDS cohort at the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
UNAIDS

Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS

UNAIDS Country Director for Pakistan

Where diplomacy meets public health.

Read the report →
Thailand

Royal Thai Embassy

Ambassador Chakkrid Krachaiwong

Thailand’s society, including the role of its Muslim community.

Read the report →
5th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Denmark
Denmark

Embassy of Denmark

Ambassador Jakob Linulf

Green energy diplomacy.

Read the report →
5th IYDS cohort at the British High Commission
United Kingdom

British High Commission

High Commissioner Jane Marriott

UK foreign policy and diplomatic practice; the High Commissioner presented certificates.

Read the report →

4th International Young Diplomats School16–18 August 2022

Islamabad

Theme: Building Network of Future Leaders through Public Diplomacy

10 engagements with missions and organisations

Participants aged 18 to 40 from every province of Pakistan and Kashmir spent three days moving between ten embassies and high commissions, opening at the Embassy of Romania. The Ambassador of Italy presented certificates at a dinner reception.

Cohort report →
4th International Young Diplomats School
4th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Romania
Romania

Embassy of Romania

Ambassador Nicolae Goia

Inaugural session: Romania, the EU and GSP Plus.

Read the report →
4th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic
Kyrgyzstan

Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic

Ambassador Ulanbek Totuiaev

Pakistan–Kyrgyz relations and networking.

Read the report →
4th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Iraq
Iraq

Embassy of Iraq

Ambassador Hamid Abbas Lafta

Pakistan–Iraq relations.

Read the report →
4th IYDS cohort at the High Commission of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka

High Commission of Sri Lanka

High Commissioner Vice Admiral (Retd) Mohan Wijewickrama

Pakistan–Sri Lanka relations and regional geopolitics.

Read the report →
4th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of the Philippines
Philippines

Embassy of the Philippines

Chargé d’Affaires Maria Agnes M. Cervantes

History and geostrategic significance of the Philippines.

Read the report →
4th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of the State of Palestine
Palestine

Embassy of the State of Palestine

Ambassador Ahmed Jawad A.A. Rabaei

Pakistan–Palestine relations.

Read the report →
4th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan

Embassy of Kazakhstan

Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin

Trade, investment and connectivity.

Read the report →
4th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Italy
Italy

Embassy of Italy

Ambassador Andreas Ferrarese

Pakistan–Italy relations; the Ambassador presented certificates at a dinner reception.

Read the report →
4th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Indonesia
Indonesia

Embassy of Indonesia

Ambassador Adam Mulawarman Tugio

Pakistan–Indonesia relations and trade.

Read the report →
4th IYDS cohort at the Embassy of the United States
United States

Embassy of the United States

Economic and public diplomacy officers, U.S. Embassy

Pakistan–U.S. relations and the U.S. Foreign Service.

Read the report →

3rd International Young Diplomats School3–5 December 2019

Islamabad, with COMSATS (Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South)

Theme: Building Network of Future Leaders

11 engagements with missions and organisations

Ambassadors hosted the cohort at seven embassies and residences, US diplomats met it at the National Library of Pakistan, and further sessions were held at COMSATS. Participants came from every region of Pakistan and from Indonesia, along with Pakistani professionals living in China. The Ambassador of Spain closed the School with the certificate ceremony at his residence.

Cohort report →Watch the highlights →
3rd International Young Diplomats School
3rd IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Romania
Romania

Embassy of Romania

Ambassador Nicolae Goia

Pakistan–Romania relations and opportunities for study and cooperation.

3rd IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Denmark
Denmark

Embassy of Denmark

Ambassador Rolf M. Hay Pereira Holmboe

At the residence: climate diplomacy and Denmark’s role.

3rd IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Switzerland
Switzerland

Embassy of Switzerland

Ambassador Thomas Kolly

Pakistan–Switzerland relations, development and humanitarian cooperation.

3rd IYDS cohort at the British High Commission
United Kingdom

British High Commission

Ms Iona Thomas, Political Counsellor

The UK and Pakistan: a committed partnership; education and careers in diplomacy.

3rd IYDS cohort at the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan
European Union

Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan

Ms Anne Marchal, Deputy Head of Mission

EU foreign policy, the EU–Pakistan Strategic Engagement Plan and Erasmus+.

3rd IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Germany
Germany

Embassy of Germany

Ambassador Bernhard Schlagheck

At the residence: Pakistan–Germany relations and development cooperation.

3rd IYDS cohort at the Embassy of the United States
United States

Embassy of the United States

Ms Lisa Swenarski, Country Cultural Affairs Attaché, and Mr James Tyson, Economic Officer, Public Affairs Section

Session with US diplomats at the National Library of Pakistan.

3rd IYDS cohort at the Australian High Commission
Australia

Australian High Commission

Mr Brek Batley, Deputy High Commissioner

Diplomacy and foreign policy traditions of Australia.

3rd IYDS cohort at the High Commission of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka

High Commission of Sri Lanka

High Commissioner Noordeen Mohamed Shaheid

Pakistan–Sri Lanka relations and Sri Lanka’s foreign policy.

3rd IYDS cohort at the Embassy of France
France

Embassy of France

Ambassador Marc Baréty

The history and foreign policy traditions of France.

3rd IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Spain
Spain

Embassy of Spain

Ambassador Manuel Durán Giménez-Rico

At the residence: Spanish history and culture; the Ambassador presented the certificates.

2nd International Young Diplomats School27–29 August 2019

Islamabad, with COMSATS

Theme: Building Network of Future Leaders

8 engagements with missions and organisations

Inaugurated by Ms Andleeb Abbas, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Diplomats from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Pacific led sessions at COMSATS; the cohort visited the Embassy of Uzbekistan and the US Embassy, and was briefed at the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform. Mr Ehsan Ullah Tiwana, Chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, presented the certificates.

Closing session →
2nd International Young Diplomats School
2nd IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Germany
Germany

Embassy of Germany

Mr Andreas Wutz, First Secretary, Political Section

Diplomatic traditions of the Federal Republic of Germany.

2nd IYDS cohort at the Embassy of the Philippines
Philippines

Embassy of the Philippines

Ambassador Daniel Espiritu

Diplomacy in regional organisations: ASEAN.

2nd IYDS cohort at the Australian High Commission
Australia

Australian High Commission

Mr Brek Batley, Deputy Head of Mission

Diplomacy and foreign policy traditions of Australia.

2nd IYDS cohort at the High Commission of Mauritius
Mauritius

High Commission of Mauritius

High Commissioner Rashidally Soobadar

Good governance in Africa: the experience of Mauritius.

2nd IYDS cohort at the High Commission of South Africa
South Africa

High Commission of South Africa

Mr Christo Janse van Noordwyk, Acting High Commissioner

Promoting peace and security in Africa: the role of South Africa.

2nd IYDS cohort at the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan
European Union

Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan

Ms Anne Marchal, Chargé d’Affaires

Diplomacy in the European Union.

2nd IYDS cohort at the Embassy of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan

Embassy of Uzbekistan

Ambassador Furqat Sidiqov

Visit to the embassy: Pakistan–Uzbekistan friendship and regional connectivity.

2nd IYDS cohort at the Embassy of the United States
United States

Embassy of the United States

Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy Section

Briefing by diplomats from several sections of the Embassy.

1st International Young Diplomats School22–24 August 2016

Islamabad, with the Centre for Policy Studies, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology

Theme: Building Network of Future Leaders

10 engagements with missions and organisations

Inaugurated by Mr Neil Buhne, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Pakistan. Diplomats from Portugal, the United Kingdom, France, China and the European Union led sessions; the cohort visited the US Embassy and the Embassy of Türkiye and met the Ambassador of Palestine, and the Ambassador of Poland presented the certificates.

Cohort report →
1st International Young Diplomats School
1st IYDS cohort at the United Nations in Pakistan
UN Resident Coordinator's Office

United Nations in Pakistan

Mr Neil Buhne, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative

Inaugural session.

Portugal

Embassy of Portugal

Ambassador João Paulo Sabido Costa

Trade and economic diplomacy.

1st IYDS cohort at the British High Commission
United Kingdom

British High Commission

Ms Jennifer Cole, Political Counsellor

Public diplomacy.

France

Embassy of France

Mr Olivier Huynh Van, Cooperation Attaché, Cultural and Cooperation Department

Environment diplomacy.

1st IYDS cohort at the Embassy of China
China

Embassy of China

Mr Yu Xueyong, Director, Political and Media Section

The SCO as an emerging regional organisation.

1st IYDS cohort at the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan
European Union

Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan

Mr Stefano Gatto, Chargé d’Affaires

Pakistan’s relations with the European Union.

1st IYDS cohort at the Embassy of the United States
United States

Embassy of the United States

Embassy of the United States

Visit to the embassy and an interactive session with US diplomats.

Türkiye

Embassy of Türkiye

Ambassador Sadık Babur Girgin

Visit to the embassy: Pakistan–Türkiye relations.

1st IYDS cohort at the Embassy of the State of Palestine
Palestine

Embassy of the State of Palestine

Ambassador Walid Abu Ali

Interactive session with the cohort.

Poland

Embassy of Poland

Ambassador Piotr Opaliński

Closing session; the Ambassador presented the certificates.

Hosts by cohort

Which missions received which cohort

Every cohort since 2016. 22 missions and organisations have received more than one cohort.

Mission or organisation1st
2016		2nd
2019		3rd
2019		4th
2022		5th
2024		6th
2025		7th
2026		Total
Europe
Austria●●2
Bosnia and Herzegovina●1
Denmark●●●3
European Union●●●●4
Finland●1
France●●2
Germany●●2
Italy●1
Poland●1
Portugal●●2
Romania●●2
Russia●●2
Spain●1
Switzerland●1
Türkiye●1
United Kingdom●●●●●5
Central Asia and the Caucasus
Azerbaijan●1
Kazakhstan●●2
Kyrgyzstan●●2
Turkmenistan●●2
Uzbekistan●1
Asia-Pacific
Australia●●2
China●1
Indonesia●●2
Nepal●1
Philippines●●●●4
Sri Lanka●●2
Thailand●●●3
Middle East and Africa
Egypt●1
Iraq●1
Mauritius●●2
Palestine●●2
South Africa●1
Zimbabwe●●2
Americas
United States●●●●●5
United Nations
ILO●1
UN Resident Coordinator's Office●●2
UNAIDS●1
UNDP●1
UNFPA●1
UNHCR●1
Institutional partners

Co-organisers and venues

COMSATS

Co-organised the 1st School in 2016 through the Centre for Policy Studies, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, and the 3rd School in 2019 at the COMSATS Secretariat.

Riphah Institute of Public Policy

Hosted sessions of the 5th School in 2024 with the Ambassadors of Finland and Portugal.

The Diplomatic Insight

IPDS’s sister publication, which reports every session of the School.

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