Islamabad (TDI): A new monument honouring Yuri Gagarin, the world’s first cosmonaut, has been unveiled in Islamabad.
The ceremony, held at Fatima Jinnah Park, F-9 sector, was attended by Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev, Ambassador Albert P. Khorev, Russian cosmonaut and national hero Elena Serova, Pakistan’s Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, and Ambassador to Russia Faisal Niaz Tirmizi.
Speaking at the event, Tsivilev described Gagarin’s journey into space as “the greatest feat in our shared history.” He noted that countless scientists continue to push the boundaries of space exploration and expressed hope that their work would serve the interests of all nations.
He also announced that next year Islamabad will host a Russia-Pakistan conference dedicated to the development of cosmonautics and space infrastructure.
Read More: Record-Breaking Cosmonauts Land in Kazakhstan
The monument’s inauguration coincided with the 10th session of the Russia–Pakistan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation.
Read More: To Space and Beyond: Revisiting Mankind’s Celestial Breakthrough
In a statement, the Russian Embassy in Islamabad thanked the International Charitable Fund Dialogue of Cultures – United World for donating Gagarin’s bust, as well as the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange for its support in the installation process. The embassy also appreciated the cooperation of Pakistani authorities in bringing the project to life.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
