Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova marks anniversary

On 24 December, Maria Zakharova, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, turned 50. The diplomat, born in Moscow into a family of an orientalist and an art historian, is a graduate of the International Information Faculty at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) under the Russian Foreign Ministry, specialising as an international journalist (1998), and holds a PhD in History. She is fluent in English and Chinese.

She has worked at the Ministry since 1998, progressing from editor of the Diplomatic Bulletin to Press Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations in New York. Since August 2015, Zakharova has served as Director of the Information and Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, becoming the first woman to hold this post. She holds the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

In her position, the diplomat actively contributes to the development of humanitarian dialogue and media cooperation among the BRICS countries. Zakharova consistently supports projects that strengthen these ties. Thus, at one of last year’s briefings, she highlighted the role of the TV BRICS International Media Network in promoting the activities of the member states of the group.

"At present, TV BRICS functions as an international network of partner media within the BRICS+ countries. […] Furthermore, TV BRICS actively cultivates an international network of partner film festivals within the group's countries and educational institutions. It unites journalists, including bloggers, and organises cultural and educational events. It also produces content for the BRICS Podcast project, encompassing topics such as history, economics, domestic politics, and international relations. [...] We commend the initiative to establish TV BRICS, expand its outreach, and pursue new partnerships"

Maria Zakharova Director of the Information and Press Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

In autumn 2024, Zakharova personally took part in the launch of a joint project by TV BRICS and the M. I. Rudomino All-Russia State Library for Foreign Literature – the BRICS+ Information and Cultural Media Centre in Moscow. “I believe that this platform will become a pulsating centre for the dissemination of information. As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we will provide every possible support to its work, engage in cooperation, propose our agenda and, of course, respond to the agenda that will be approved and generated here,” she said at the opening of the centre, which is intended to serve as a platform for dialogue in the fields of culture, science and education.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin congratulated Zakharova on the occasion and described her as “the voice of our diplomacy” during a ceremony for the presentation of state awards at the Kremlin, according to the website of the Head of the Russian State.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov sent Zakharova a congratulatory telegram. He described her as “a determined diplomat of a new generation” who has devoted her life to serving Russia. Lavrov’s words are quoted on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia