MOSCOW (Shahid Ghumman): The third Russia-Africa summit and the Economic and Humanitarian Cooperation Forum have formally opened in the Russian capital Moscow. Delegations from 48 countries of the African continent are taking part in the two-day international gathering, with 22 countries represented at head-of-state level. The summit will discuss expanding cooperation between Russia and African countries in the political, economic, trade, energy, defence and security, agriculture, education and modern technology sectors.
The central theme of the summit, being held on 28 and 29 October, is peace, security and development. Russian President Vladimir Putin and the current Chairman of the African Union, President of Burundi Evariste Ndayishimiye, will jointly chair the summit. According to Russian officials, 48 of the African continent’s 54 countries have confirmed participation, which is being described as significant in terms of the growing diplomatic and economic ties between Russia and Africa.
On the first day of the summit, activities of the Economic and Humanitarian Cooperation Forum began at Moscow’s historic Gostiny Dvor, where government representatives, business figures, investors, experts and delegations from various sectors from Russia and African countries are taking part. President Putin and the President of Burundi will address the central session of the forum, while the session will be moderated by Irina Abramova, Director of the Institute of Africa of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
According to Yuri Ushakov, aide to the Russian President, President Putin in his address will shed light on the current state and future prospects of cooperation between Russia and African countries in trade and investment relations, agriculture, energy, construction, information technology, health and education. In addition, matters such as the national sovereignty of African countries, food security and fair access to modern technology will also be among the important topics.
Around four thousand Russian and African business figures have been invited to the Economic and Humanitarian Cooperation Forum. The forum’s programme includes more than 40 business and thematic sessions, in which joint projects and investment opportunities in various sectors including industry, minerals, agriculture, financial services, tourism, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and modern technology will be discussed.
The forum’s activities have been divided into four main areas: national sovereignty as the foundation of 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. Various sessions are focusing on the industrial development of African countries, infrastructure construction, energy needs and joint projects with Russian companies.
The Russia-Africa Media Forum is also part of the programme on the first day, in which representatives of Russian and African media will discuss media cooperation, exchange of information and matters related to international journalism. The Russia-Africa Youth Forum and a forum of young diplomats have also been organised at MGIMO, Moscow’s institute of international relations, aimed at promoting educational, diplomatic and professional links among the new generation.
After the central session, a visit to an exhibition on Russian technology and industrial development at Gostiny Dvor is also scheduled for President Putin and African leaders. The exhibition will present Russian projects and modern technology in energy, natural resources, food, pharmaceuticals, digital and financial infrastructure, workforce training and other sectors.
A series of bilateral meetings between President Putin and African leaders is also about to begin on the occasion of the summit. Talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi are scheduled for the first day, while meetings with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso are also in the programme. The Russian President will also meet the heads of African regional organisations, in which regional economic integration and prospects of cooperation with Russia are expected to be discussed.
At the end of the first day’s activities, a reception will be hosted by President Putin at the Kremlin in honour of the participants of the summit. The main summit sessions will be held on Thursday, 29 October, at the Grand Kremlin Palace, where the leaders of Russia and African countries will discuss the global political and economic situation, international security, the multipolar world order and the future of mutual cooperation.
At the end of the summit, a joint declaration, a document on cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence and an action plan for the Russia-Africa partnership for 2027 to 2029 are expected to be approved.
The Russia-Africa summit began in 2019 in the Russian city of Sochi, while the second summit was held in St Petersburg in July 2023. The third summit under way in Moscow is being held to further expand political ties, economic partnership, trade and investment between Russia and African countries.
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