Building Trust Area is a thematic zone by the Roscongress Foundation. It brings together innovation, social agenda, and education, highlighting them as tools for building a sustainable future. The unique platform combines two Roscongress Foundation projects: the Innovation Space and the Innosocium LAB. The programme focuses on such themes as how to improve people’s quality of life, the exchange of experience between Russia and African countries, the specifics of business development, and the use of an innovative approach to solving strategic problems.

Programme operator: the Innosocium Foundation – the social platform of the Roscongress Foundation

  • 23 October 2019
    12:30–13:30
    Building Trust Area

    Innovation Without Borders: New Cross-Border Business Opportunities

    Technology partnership is a driver for economic development and the creation of new strategic alliances. Russian tech companies have proven to be reliable solution providers on international markets. Smart manufacturing, fintech, transport, and infrastructure are key aspects in the development of business partnerships between Russian and African companies.
    What measures of state, financial, and informational support does business need to make this cooperation to a primary focus in the development of foreign trade cooperation between Russia and Africa? What opportunities and areas are most interesting for the implementation of joint cross-border projects?
    • Strategies for entering the African market: special aspects and development potential
    • Prospects for high-tech cooperation between Russia and Africa
    • International collaboration with leading startups
    • Development of new economic zones
    • From export to production localization
    • Cross-border opportunities for SMEs


    Moderator:
    Sergei Krasnov — RBC TV Channel


    Panellists:
    Adeniyi Adebayo — Development Director in Africa countries, Yandex.Taxi
    Suren Vardanyan — Vice President, Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry
    Dmitriy Komissarov — General Director, New Cloud Technologies
    Alexey Logashev — CEO, New Technologies
    Vladimir Platonov — President, Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry
    Nataliya Zaiser — Chair of the Board, Africa Business Initiative Union

  • 23 October 2019
    14:00–15:00
    Building Trust Area

    Promotion of Russian culture among foreign youth

    One of the priority focuses for Russia’s development is to realize the creative potential of young people in such areas as science and innovation. The country’s scientific and technological potential cannot develop without exchanging experience with international colleagues and specialists. Introducing foreign students to the specifics, technologies, and cultural features of Russia helps to build a foundation for entrepreneurial activities and economic collaboration between countries.
    • Does an international cultural and scientific exchange need to be established? What are the goals and prospects?
    • What mechanisms and programmes can be implemented to expand international relations? What are the roles and advantages of business in these programmes?


    Moderator:
    Andrey Egorov — Deputy Chairman of the Coordinating Council for Youth in the Scientific and Educational Spheres of the Presidential Council on Science and Education, Program Director Russia-Qatar


    Panellists:
    Yaseen Abdulrahman — General Director, Center of African Researches and Studies
    Roman Kamaev — Deputy Head, Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh)
    Konstantin Negachev — Founder, VRCOMM
    Vadim Nekrasov — Team Leader for Africa, Delovaya Rossiya (Business Russia)
    Veronika Peshkova — President, Foundation for the Development of Public Diplomacy Women's Perspective; Goodwill Ambassador, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
    Shivleta Tagirova — Vice Rector for International Activity, Pushkin State Russian Language Institute SBEI HE
    Dr. Ngan Tonye Francois Simon Pierre — Representative in the Republic of Cameroon and Central Africa Countries, PEOPLES' FRIENDSHIP UNIVERSITY OF RUSSIA
    Prof. Francois Havyarimana — Rector, University of Burundi
    Vladimir Yurtaev — Professor, Department of Theory and History of International Relations, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia


    Front row participant:
    Roman Chukov — Chairman of the Board, Russian Center for the Promotion of International Initiatives; Assistant to Youth Policy Director, Roscongress Foundation

  • 23 October 2019
    15:30–16:45
    Building Trust Area

    Telemedicine. How will digital technology change the face of healthcare systems in African countries?

    Reducing the disease burden in African countries and preventing the economies of those countries from lagging behind global indicators can be done through the establishment of effective healthcare systems. Such systems should be able to face current challenges and ensure that the population is healthy and fit to work. Following the implementation of international and national programmes aimed at combating infectious disease in the region, there have been increasing calls to combat heart-related diseases, cancer, and diabetes. Poorly developed healthcare infrastructure in many countries means that healthcare cannot be fully administered in rural, remote and hard-to-reach areas. The lack of qualified medical personnel further hinders timely diagnosis and treatment. One way of solving these problems is through the use of telemedical solutions and technology, along with fixed and portable equipment which harnesses artificial intelligence technology.
    Will the transition to digital healthcare be able to substantially reduce the disease burden in African countries? Which of the most promising Russian telemedical solutions and artificial intelligence products in the healthcare sector can help the African region? What effect might the implementation of modern fixed and portable telemedicine equipment have?


    Moderators:
    Gabriel Anicet Kotchofa — High Commissioner for International Relations, Deputy Secretary General, Eurasian Economic Cooperation Organization
    Mikhail Natenzon — Chairman of the Board of Directors, National Telemedicine Agency


    Panellists:
    Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen — Minister of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Ghana
    Dr Musawenkosi Eslom Mdluli — Director at Khuphuka Kings International (Pty) Ltd
    H.E. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya — Chairperson, Council of County Governors of the Republic of Kenya


    Front row participants:
    Sergey Voinov — Senior Project Advisor for MEDTECH, IOT and Electronics at Skolkovo Foundation
    Sergei Chesnokov — President and General Director and Prom Trust Technology

  • 23 October 2019
    17:15–18:15
    Building Trust Area

    Benchmarking session ‘Startups vs SMEs: Partnership in Innovation 2020’

    The business environment is regarded as something big and sluggish that has no place for innovation. A startup, in contrast, is thought of as something vigorous that can change reality and imbue the world with new values. On the other hand, there is the issue of stability. SMEs are considered a more stable structure that is responsible to a large number of customers. A startup can easily turn out to be something unstable or highly overrated.
    This discussion will also address the trend of accelerators in large business structures that try to grow startups within companies.
    Questions for discussion:
    How can these two structures benefit one another? Which methods of two-way interaction are most effective? What risks might they face? What are the special aspects of building partnerships with customers and buyers? Why do innovations need to be introduced in entrepreneurship now?


    Moderator:
    Anisia Yevdokimova — Expert, WorldSkillsRussia;Executive Director, Favorit DMC


    Panellists:
    Andrey Burdin — General Director, Power Machines
    Kingsley Ifi — General Director, Springboard.fi
    Victor Sedov — Member of the Board Presidium, All-Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses OPORA RUSSIA
    Mr. Khon Tquiero Twey — Minister of trade, industrialization and small and medium business development of the Republic of Namibia
    Nikita Tullinov — Director, Vertical World Publishing House; Private Investor, Quadra Capital Fund
    Gabriel Edgal — Managing Consultant of Oakwood Green Capital Ltd charged with the responsibility of strategically positioning the firm to achieve its corporate objectives


    Front row participants:
    Alexander Butmanov — Partner, DTI Algorithmic
    Pavel Stepanov — Deputy General Director, Geoscan
    Alexander Uglov — Partner, Singapure holding «Altergate»

  • 24 October 2019
    10:15–11:15
    Building Trust Area

    Russia–Africa: What’s next?

    Russian-African relations have become a priority for Russia.
    Events devoted to the development of Russian-African relations have been regularly held as part of forums since 2017. The first Russia–Africa Public Forum was held in 2018. The Russia–Africa Summit is the first large-scale event in the history of relations between our countries. There is great potential for economic, political, and humanitarian cooperation with the countries of the African continent, so we must ask the question – what are the prospects for further cooperation between our countries?


    Moderators:
    Nataliya Zaiser — Chair of the Board, Africa Business Initiative Union
    Vladimir Chetiy — President, Global Alumni Alliance


    Panellists:
    Andrey Kemarsky — Director of the Department of Africa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
    Roman Marshavin — Executive Director for the Russian Federation and Syrian Arab Republic, World Bank Group
    Eleonora Mitrofanova — Head, Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation
    Farit Mukhametshin — Deputy Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
    Evgeny Tulubenskiy — Chief Legal Officer, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, Member of the Board of Directors, Nordgold
    Vladimir Yurtaev — Professor, Department of Theory and History of International Relations, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia

  • 24 October 2019
    11:30–13:00
    Building Trust Area

    Business Priority: Perspective pitch session

    Members of an expert council have selected the seven best tech startup projects to present them at the Business Priority: Perspective pitch session. The discussion participants will pay special attention to the prospects for exporting Russian products to the African continent and the special aspects of the countries’ markets. The expert panel will include representatives of investment funds, the federal and regional authorities, corporations, large and medium-sized businesses, angel investors as well as delegations from African countries. Participants will discuss the investment climate in Russia and ways to enhance its innovative potential.


    Jury:
    Eugene Vasilev — Chairman of venture committee, National Technology Initiative (NTI)
    Yury Saprykin — Vice President for Regional and International Development, Skolkovo Foundation
    Yury Cherches — Member of the Board of the Roscongress Foundation

  • 24 October 2019
    13:00–14:00
    Building Trust Area

    Open-talk: traverser le désert

    The Business Priority project will feature an open talk concerning the development of end-to-end technologies in such areas as water supply, water treatment, and alternative sources of fresh water. Representatives of high-tech companies will talk about the industry’s development and the methods used for water extraction and the treatment of water facilities, will analyse the main barriers, and share experience and tips for making a technological breakthrough based on existing technologies.

  • 24 October 2019
    14:30–15:30
    Building Trust Area

    Pitch session: Smart city 2020

    A smart city is an interconnected system of communication and information technologies with the Internet of Things (IoT) that simplifies the management of a city’s internal processes and improves the population’s standard of living. A smart city enhances people’s standard of living and reduces the costs of work processes by automating activities that do not require the use of analytical skills. What technologies are the driving force for the development of territories today? What trends can we expect in the next five years? How can we improve the life of communities in Russia and Africa and impact the sustainable development of territories?


    Moderator:
    Alexander Uglov — Partner, Singapure holding «Altergate»


    Jury:
    Alexander Butmanov — Partner, DTI Algorithmic
    Dmitry Gordienko — Director, Russian Representative of Accelerator Founder Institut
    Maria Nikolaeva — Director, MAD Architects
    Maria Novikova — Special projects coordinator, Urban renovations
    Artem Sedov — General Director, Big Three
    Marianna Skragan — Director, Business Priority

  • 24 October 2019
    16:00–17:00
    Building Trust Area

    Women at the forefront of humanitarian aid

    An enormous number of people around the world need humanitarian aid today. The provision of emergency and long-term humanitarian aid includes food, shelter, medical supplies, and logistical support. Women are often the first to come to the rescue and can serve as agents of global change. According to studies, women make up 75% of the employees at non-profit organizations. However, their numbers in senior positions are still low. During the session, participants will talk about humanitarian initiatives and projects around the world and ways to increase humanitarian aid and cooperation.


    Moderator:
    Veronika Peshkova — President, Foundation for the Development of Public Diplomacy Women's Perspective; Goodwill Ambassador, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)


    Panellists:
    Valeria Valyaeva — Student
    Mavila Vanessa — Founding President, Eboko Foundation
    Slauzy Zodwa Mogami — Founder, Chief Executive Officer, Chairperson, Ladies in the Frontline
    H.E. Jeanne d'Arc Mujawamariya — Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Rwanda in the Russian Federation
    Laurence Ndong — Vice-President, «Pour le Gabon»
    Ukeme Utuk — CEO, Reachout and Smile Initiative for Social Empowerment

“We highly value the results of our joint work at the summit. I am sure the achieved results are creating a good foundation for further deepening the Russia-Africa partnership in the interests of our nations’ prosperity and wellbeing.”

President of the Russian Federation
Vladimir Putin

The Russia–Africa Summit, which is taking place in Sochi on 23–24 October 2019, encapsulates the historically friendly relations between the African continent and the Russian Federation. This Summit carries great significance as it is the first of its kind to emerge during a period of major global and international transformations. In response to the aspirations of the people it is representing, the Summit intends to build a comprehensive framework for expanding Russian–African relations into broader horizons of joint cooperation across different fields.

The African nations and Russia share a common understanding of international relations, based on the principles of respect for the rule of international law, equality, non-interference in the internal affairs of states, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. Both sides affirm their commitment to support multilateral actions to oppose new international threats, be they terrorism and extremism in all their forms, or declining growth rates. The two sides share a firm conviction regarding the importance of developing trade flows and supporting mutual investment in such a way as to ensure security, peace and development for the African and Russian people.

African countries have huge potential and opportunities that will allow them, once efforts to streamline their economies have been achieved, to emerge as real global players. In recent years, the nations of this continent have achieved major successes spanning the political, economic, social and administrative spheres. Africa has flourished in terms of growth over the past decade, reaching a continent-wide growth rate of 3.55% in 2018.

The African Union Summit, which was held in Niger in July 2019, continued the efforts of the African countries and saw the African Continental Free Trade Agreement come into force, along with its operational instruments. The agreement is one of the key objectives of Agenda 2063, an African development strategy that has been created to address the African people’s desire for prosperity and decent living standards.

These successes are opening up wide-ranging prospects for cooperation between African countries and the Russian Federation, and confirm the determination of African governments and their people to cooperate with multiple partners in order to establish mutually beneficial relations.

With this in mind, we express our hopes that the Russia–Africa Summit will help in the establishment of constructive strategic relations, based on partnership between two sides across various fields, and in the service of fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the African people and their friends in Russia.

President of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Abdelfattah ALSISI