9275456 28.10.2026 Президент РФ Владимир Путин выступает на пленарном заседании Экономического гуманитарного форума "Россия - Африка" в Москве.
MOSCOW (Shahid Ghumman): The third Russia-Africa summit and the Economic and Humanitarian Cooperation Forum have opened in the Russian capital Moscow, with delegations from 48 countries of the African continent taking part, while 22 countries are represented at head-of-state level. Addressing the opening plenary session of the forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the formation of a multipolar system in the world was an irreversible process and the era was ending when a few countries used to decide the future of the whole world.
The activities of the two-day summit, being held on 28 and 29 October, began on Wednesday at Moscow’s historic Gostiny Dvor. The summit is being jointly chaired by President Putin and the current Chairman of the African Union, President of Burundi Evariste Ndayishimiye. A large number of African heads of state, ministers, diplomatic delegations, business figures, investors and representatives of international organisations are taking part in the forum.
In the opening plenary session, President Putin welcomed the leaders and delegations of African countries and thanked them for accepting Russia’s invitation. He said Russia wished to further strengthen relations with African countries on the basis of equality, mutual respect and national sovereignty.
In his address, the Russian President said Africa was rapidly gaining an important place in world politics and the economy, while new centres of power were emerging in the international system. He said some countries were resorting to trade wars, economic sanctions and political pressure to maintain their former dominance. According to President Putin, the effects of the colonial era still existed in African countries and there was a need to increase the representation of these countries in global financial institutions.
Describing Africa as the continent of the future, President Putin mentioned its young population, natural resources and prospects of economic development. He said African countries had full authority over their natural resources and the right to set their own development priorities.
Stressing the expansion of trade and economic cooperation between Russia and African countries, the Russian President said both sides could further promote joint projects in agriculture, energy, industry, infrastructure, education, health and modern technology. He also supported the economic development of African countries, financial stability and more effective representation in international financial institutions.
Inviting the airlines of African countries to start flights to Russia, President Putin said an increase in direct air links could promote tourism and links between the peoples of the two regions. He also mentioned Russia’s cooperation in the financial stability of African countries.
The President of Burundi and Chairman of the African Union, Evariste Ndayishimiye, along with other leaders of African countries, also took part in the opening session of the forum. At the two-day gathering, cooperation in various sectors including political relations, trade, investment, food security, energy, mineral resources, transport and modern technology between Russia and African countries is being discussed.
According to Russian officials, around four thousand Russian and African business figures have been invited to the Economic and Humanitarian Cooperation Forum, while the programme includes more than 40 business and thematic sessions. These sessions will examine investment and joint project possibilities in industrial development, agriculture, minerals, financial services, telecommunications, tourism, pharmaceuticals and modern technology.
The forum’s programme has been divided into four main themes: national sovereignty and sustainable development, a sovereign global economic system, humanitarian and social cooperation and human resource development, and technology and innovation for improving the quality of life.
Bilateral meetings of President Putin with African leaders are also part of the programme on the occasion of the summit. These meetings will discuss political and economic relations, trade, investment and cooperation in various sectors.
The main sessions of the third Russia-Africa summit will be held on 29 October at the Grand Kremlin Palace, where the Russian President and the heads of state of African countries will discuss the global political and economic situation, international security and the future of mutual cooperation.
At the end of the summit, a joint declaration on Russia-Africa cooperation, a document on cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence and an action plan for the partnership for 2027 to 2029 are expected to be approved. In addition, more than 30 intergovernmental and inter-institutional documents in various sectors are also scheduled to be signed.
The Russia-Africa summit was first held in 2019 in the Russian city of Sochi, while the second summit took place in St Petersburg in July 2023. Moscow is hosting this summit for the first time, with delegations from 48 of the African continent’s 54 countries taking part.
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