Despite unprecedented pressure from
the West, the Forum and Summit were attended by official delegations from 48
countries (27 countries were represented by the head of state or the second
highest official) and the five largest integration associations of the
continent.
The Summit consisted of two plenary
sessions held on 28 July 2023. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chairperson of
the African Union and President of the Union of the Comoros Azali Assoumani, Chairperson
of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat, and the heads of state from
African countries spoke during the first part of the Summit. Discussions
continued in the format of a working breakfast during the second meeting of the
Summit.
“We had a substantive and engaging
exchange of views on the entire range of themes of strategic cooperation
between Russia and African countries [...]. We have identified the main areas
for further joint work and outlined plans to strengthen foreign policy
coordination and increase trade and investment flows, as well as industrial
cooperation between Russia and the countries of the [African] continent […]. We greatly appreciate the results
of our joint work at the Summit. I firmly believe that the results we have achieved
will form a good foundation for the further deepening the Russian-African
partnership in the interests of the prosperity and well-being of our peoples,” Putin
said during his closing speech at the second plenary session of the Summit.
During the discussions, the
participants declared their commitment to jointly building a new, fairer
multipolar architecture of the world order based on the sovereign equality of
states and mutually beneficial cooperation.
The Summit resulted in the adoption
of five key documents:
- Declaration of the Second Russia–Africa Summit
- Declaration of the Second Russia–Africa Summit on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space
- Declaration of the Second Russia–Africa Summit on Cooperation to Ensure International Information Security
- Declaration of the Second Russia–Africa Summit on Strengthening Cooperation to Combat Terrorism
- Action Plan of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum for 2023–2026
Two documents were also signed with
leading African integration associations in Vladimir Putin’s presence:
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Russian Government and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on fundamental issues concerning relations and cooperation
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Russian Government and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) on fundamental issues concerning relations and cooperation
The business programme of the Russia–Africa
Economic and Humanitarian Forum featured discussions on how to unleash the
potential of Russian-African cooperation. A humanitarian dimension was added to
the traditional political and economic focuses.
The central event of the Forum was the plenary
session, which was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chairperson of
the African Union and President of the Union of the Comoros Azali Assoumani, Patriarch
Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, President and Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the African Export-Import Bank Benedict Oramah, and New
Development Bank President Dilma Rousseff. The meeting was moderated by
Director of the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of
Sciences Irina Abramova.
“This marks the second time that Russia is
hosting events in the Russia–Africa format. This year, the discussions of the
Economic and Humanitarian Forum were full of practical proposals, particularly in
the humanitarian and technological fields, and generated significant interest
from representatives of business and the scientific community. Over 9,000
participants and media representatives from Russia and 104 foreign states and
territories took part in the events this time. The participants included around
1,000 representatives of foreign business, more than 2,000 [representatives of]
Russian [business], roughly 1,100 representatives of foreign official
delegations, and more than 750 Russian [delegations],” said Anton Kobyakov,
Adviser to the Russian President and Executive Secretary of the Organizing
Committee for the Russia–Africa events.
A total of 59 panel sessions were held with
457 speakers in four main areas: ‘The New Global Economy’, ‘Cooperation in Science
and Technology’, ‘The Humanitarian and Social Sphere: Working Together for a New
Quality of Life’, and ‘Integrated Security and Sovereign Development’
Events held on the sidelines of the Forum and
Summit included the Media Forum, the Congress of University Rectors, a
roundtable attended by the supreme audit institutions of Russia and African
countries, youth programme events, and sessions of the Creative Business Forum
and the Healthy Life Forum. The cultural and sports programme featured the St.
Petersburg Seasons Festival, a race organized by the Roscongress Foundation
jointly with the League of Heroes, and the Ladoga Gold International
Multi-Stage Professional Cycling Race.
The Forum resulted in the signing of 161
agreements that do not constitute commercial secrets (146 agreements
with foreign organizations and authorities), although the value of the
agreements was not disclosed. Most of the agreements were for humanitarian
cooperation, with the largest number of agreements concluded in the following
industries:
- International and interregional cooperation – 56
- Education and science – 51
- Scientific and technical cooperation – 10
- Exports and foreign economic activity – 10
Sports programme
During the Forum’s sports programme, Russian
Minister of Sports Oleg Matytsin, President of the Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics
Federation Irina Viner, and Russian Olympic Committee President Stanislav Pozdnyakov
discussed expanding cooperation with African colleagues at the session ‘Sport:
A Bridge of Friendship between Russia and Africa’. The session was highlighted
by the presentation of the Friendship Games, which will be held in September
2024 in Moscow and Yekaterinburg. The new flagship project for Russian sports
was presented by its initiator, International Boxing Association President Umar
Kremlev and General Director of the Friendship Games Organizing Committee
Alexey Sorokin. The Roscongress Foundation and the Friendship Games Organizing
Committee signed a cooperation agreement.
The pavilion of the Russian Ministry of
Sports served as a platform for negotiations and the presentation of new sports
projects.
On the first day of the Forum, more than
1,000 people attended the five-kilometre ‘We Are Starting’ morning race.
Three-time Olympic synchronized swimming champion Svetlana Kolesnichenko got
everyone warmed up for the race. Sergey Shevchenko from Belarus won the
inaugural Ladoga Gold International Multi-Stage Professional Cycling Race,
which passed more than 1,000 kilometres around Lake Ladoga. Teams from Ghana,
Cameroon, and Mali took part in the Russia–Africa student football festival,
which was won by a team from Kuban State University. Football stars Andrey
Arshavin, Alexander Mostovoy, Dmitry Sychev, MacBeth Sibaya (South Africa),
Dame N’Doye (Senegal), and Chidi Odiah (Nigeria) competed together with the
Forum participants in a gala match between the Russian and African teams. A
stage of the Russian beach volleyball championship was also held as part of the
Forum.
Youth programme
The youth programme featured panel
discussions and roundtables with young Russian and African leaders on
education, science, and technology. The planned events also included a
presentation of the World Youth Festival, which will be held in Russia in 2024
and bring together the most progressive youth from around the planet.
Cultural programme
The St. Petersburg Seasons Festival was held
on 25–29 July as part of the Second Summit and Russia–Africa Economic and
Humanitarian Forum. The programme events aimed to show residents and guests of
the Northern capital the whole palette of vibrant African culture – from
traditional cuisine to contemporary art. Lenfilm Studio hosted the Days of
African Culture and Cinema on 25–28 July. Over the course of the four days, a
wide panorama of African cinema was presented, ranging from the work of
independent studios with a budget of USD 200 to the hits of the Cannes Film
Festival.
The Innopraktika School’s Third Global Values
International Ballet Festival was held on the main stage of the Alexandrinsky
Theatre in St. Petersburg on 28–29 July. Cultural exchanges between students
from Russia and other countries were a key aspect of the festival. Visitors
were treated to a riveting programme of original productions from the best
choreographers of Russia and other countries, the world premiere of Boris
Eifman’s ballet ‘My Jerusalem’, and other special guests.
The Rhythms of Africa Festival took place on
Moskovskaya ploshchad on 29 July and culminated with a spectacular concert
featuring original compositions performed by African musical groups, world
premieres by St. Petersburg composers, and works on African themes performed by
the Governor’s Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alexey Nyagi. The concert
programme included a performance by the Zambian student group Sounds of Dreams,
the finalists of the ‘Singing in the Kitchen Across the Country’ TV show.
In addition, the Second Summit and Russia–Africa
Economic and Humanitarian Forum included the ‘Stars of Africa’ gastronomic
project, which introduced St. Petersburg residents and guests to the best
traditional dishes of the African continent. More than 20 restaurants in St.
Petersburg were offering tastings of the dishes.
Media
The Second Summit and Russia–Africa Economic
and Humanitarian Forum generated extensive press coverage. A total of 2,031
media representatives were accredited for the events (1,383 Russian, 456
African, and 192 media outlets from other countries) from 462 organizations
(203 Russian and 259 foreign organizations). Applications were received from 55
countries.
Exhibition
More than 50 exhibition stands on key areas
of Russian-African cooperation were presented at the Forum venue.
Fuel and
energy industry:
Rosatom State Corporation, Gazprom, and NOVATEK
Medicine: Healthy Life stand, which presented
25 leading medicine and pharmaceutical organizations
Financial
sector: Sberbank,
Gazprombank, Moscow Credit Bank, and Afreximbank
Metallurgical
segment: United
Metallurgical Company, Novostal-M Metallurgical Holding, and others
Agribusiness: PhosAgro, Uralchem, and Rostselmash
IT sector:
Positive
Technologies, Dr. Web, Geoscan, and others
Transport
industry: KAMAZ,
Avtovaz, Ural Automobile Plant, and other companies
Guests were particularly interested
in the African exposition, where 24 African countries presented their
achievements.
The Roscongress Foundation
organized the Second Summit and Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum.
Event website: summitafrica.ru
Background information:
The Roscongress Foundation is a socially
oriented non-financial development institution and a major organizer of
nationwide and international conventions, exhibitions, and business, public,
youth, sporting, and cultural events. It was established pursuant to a decision
of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Foundation was established
in 2007 with the aim of facilitating the development of Russia’s economic
potential, promoting its national interests, and strengthening the country’s
image. The Foundation comprehensively evaluates, analyses, and covers issues on
the Russian and global economic agendas. It also offers administrative
services, provides promotional support for business projects and attracting
investment, and helps foster social entrepreneurship and charitable
initiatives.
The Foundation’s events bring
together participants from 208 countries and territories, more than 15,000
media representatives work at the Roscongress Foundation’s platforms each year,
and 5,000 experts are involved in analytical and expert work in Russia and
abroad.
The Foundation cooperates with
UN structures and other international organizations. It develops multi-format
cooperation with 195 foreign economic partners, associations of industrialists
and entrepreneurs, and financial, trade, and business associations in 85
countries, as well as with 279 Russian public organizations, the federal
executive and legislative authorities, and the regions of the Russian
Federation.
Official Telegram channels of
the Roscongress Foundation: in Russian – t.me/Roscongress, English – t.me/RoscongressDirect,
Spanish – t.me/RoscongressEsp, and Arabic – t.me/RosCongressArabic. Official
website and Information and Analytical System of the Roscongress Foundation roscongress.org.
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