First Ministerial Conference
of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum

Business programme

9.11.2024
10:00–13:00
Sirius University, conference hall 4

Russia–Africa: Working Together Against Terror

Russia and Africa are joining forces in the fight against terrorism. Both sides recognize that terrorism poses a threat to global security and stability. Cooperation between Russia and African nations includes sharing experience and information on terrorist organizations, as well as joint action to prevent terrorist attacks and combat the financing of terrorism. Such collaboration has helped strengthen international security and protect human rights. What international experience and best practices exist in terms of countering global terrorism? What needs to be done to establish a solid foundation for future cooperation between Russia and African nations in this area?
Moderator:

Georgiy Mikhno — Acting Director of the Department for New Challenges and Threats, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

Panellist:

Abdel-Fatau Musah — Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Economic Community of West African States

9.11.2024
10:00–13:00
Sirius University, conference hall 2

Roundtable on Preventing an Arms Race in Outer Space

Recently, the risks of space becoming a springboard for aggression and war have become very real. If not prevented in a timely manner, an arms race will swallow up huge amounts of material resources, undermine the prospects for overall arms reduction, and turn space into yet another arena for military confrontation, which in future will become an insurmountable barrier to international cooperation in the peaceful exploration of outer space. In this context, initiatives to prevent an arms race in outer space are becoming ever more urgent. Consolidating these approaches in an international legally binding instrument will help reduce tensions in outer space and ensure equal access to space for its exploration and use exclusively for peaceful purposes. Participants in the event will be able to familiarize themselves with Russian assessments of the situation and threats in the field of space security, as well as Russian approaches and initiatives on PAROS issues, including the development of an international legally binding instrument in this area. A free exchange of views on possible cooperation on PAROS issues on international and regional platforms is expected.
Panellist:

Konstantin Vorontsov — Deputy Director of the Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

9.11.2024
10:00–11:30
Sirius University, conference hall 5
Broadcast

Knowledge Sharing: Capacity Building in e-Governance

Both Russia and African countries attach great importance to e-Governance. Accordingly, a range of national and international strategic documents have been drawn up with the view to securing digital sovereignty. For instance, Africa has the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020–2030), Agenda 2063, and a range of national strategies aimed at ensuring equal access to public services and bridging the digital divide. Since 2023, Russia has been implementing its 2030 Strategy for the Digital Transformation of Public Administration. Digital platforms are becoming integrated in key areas of country governance. Open data platforms, voter registers, electronic passports, and digital cadasters are becoming widely used, as are databases and geoinformation systems on natural resources, industrial facilities, and infrastructure. This session will focus on issues related to ensuring digital sovereignty for both Russia and African countries. The session participants will share knowledge in the field of developing national strategies; using artificial intelligence; digitalizing tax and budget administration; establishing the physical infrastructure needed for data storage, protection, and transfer; setting up situation centers and data registries; protecting critical infrastructure; developing digital technologies to ensure food security; and product labelling. How can digital tools be introduced and employed to address the urgent needs of the people? Why is sovereignty important, and what needs to be done to attain digital sovereignty? Which digital sovereignty solutions are of strategic importance to Africa and Russia? What forms of international cooperation will foster the sharing of knowledge e-Governance?
Moderator:

Andrey Maslov — Director, Center for African Studies, National Research University Higher School of Economics

Panellists:

Mario Augusto da Silva Oliveira — Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication of the Republic of Angola

Bonheur Djerabe Djatto — Director of Information System, Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States

Aboubacar Sidiki Douno — National Deputy Director, Direction of Information Technology and Digital Economy of the Republic of Guinea

Moses Kunkuyu Kalongashawa — Minister of Information and Digitalization of the Republic of Malawi

Oleg Kapitonov — Senior Managing Director – Director of the International Business Efficiency and Coordination Department, Block "Sberbank International" Sberbank

Tatenda Mavetera — Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Postal and Courier Services of the Republic of Zimbabwe

Nkundwe Moses Mwasaga — Director General, Information and Communication Technologies Commission of the United Republic of Tanzania

Monica Jane Musenero Masanza — Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation of the Republic of Uganda

Anastasia Pavlenko — Deputy Executive Director, Director for Strategic Partnerships, Innopraktika

Francis Mangouani Seck — National Сoordinator of the Digital Transformation Acceleration Project, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy of the Republic of the Congo

Moctar Seck — Head of Innovation and Technology Sector, UN Economic Commission for Africa

Alan Khubaev — Head of International Projects, Solar

Abiodun Omowunmi Essiet — Senior Special Assistant to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

9.11.2024
10:00–11:30
Sirius University, conference hall 6
Broadcast

Young People in Russia and Africa: A Glimpse into the Future

Africa has made an unprecedented leap in development in recent decades, becoming an integrated part of the world economy and an important player in the international arena. More than half of the continent’s population is under 35. The younger generation plays an important role both in the social sphere of their countries, and in shaping the country’s development strategy, including foreign policy. Russia is actively cooperating with the younger generation of African leaders through various multilateral dialogue platforms. This type of interaction makes a serious contribution to the development of an inclusive partnership between Russia and African countries, and creates a positive environment for the further increase in stakeholders on both sides.
Moderator:

Daniil Bisslinger — Director General, Directorate of the World Youth Festival

Panellists:

Valery Zhuchkov — Deputy Executive Secretary of the Program Committee, Forum "Russia-Africa: what next?"; Analyst, Moscow State Institute of International Relations (University) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (MGIMO of Russia)

Alexander Kormishin — Director of the Center for International Partnerships, Rosatom Corporate Academy

Thumelo Ramaphosa — CEO, Studex Group

Vsevolod Sviridov — Deputy Director, Center for African Studies, Higher School of Economics, National Research University Higher School of Economics

Gleb Sugakov — Chairman (Co-Chairman) of the Council of Young Scientists, Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Junior Researcher, Centre for Global and Strategic Studies

Kudzai Dominic Chiwenga — Entrepreneur

Kristofer Duglas Emms — Head of Brokerage Division, LM Investments

9.11.2024
10:00–12:00
Sirius University, conference hall 3
Broadcast

Industrial and Educational Partnership: Potential for Cooperation Between Universities and Companies in Training Staff for Real Sectors of the Economy

Cooperation in the field of education has always been and remains a priority in Russian–African interaction. Russia’s current system of training staff to work in African countries is based on solid experience and traditions established back in the days of the Soviet Union, which effectively developed relationships with African countries. Currently, the African continent is in urgent need of highly qualified specialists for various sectors of the economy, primarily energy, construction, agriculture, and medicine. In addition, in order to effectively address the tasks involved in implementing large-scale joint projects, as trade, economic, and investment cooperation between Russia and Africa grows, Russian businesses require an increasing number of qualified personnel in African countries. This means that scientific and educational cooperation between Russia and Africa is gaining a new, highly relevant dimension, meaning that Russian companies and higher educational institutions must join efforts to train specialists for African countries, including in order to strengthen the human resources potential of the Russian Federation’s partners in this important, dynamically developing region of the world. Which educational projects are being implemented today with the support of Russian companies? What are the prospects for boosting the partnership between higher educational establishments and business in order to train staff to work in African countries? How may educational initiatives contribute to improving the competitiveness of African countries and building an effective long-term strategy for the development of Russian business on the African continent?
Moderator:

Marina Rekets — Vice-Rector for International Affairs, Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University of Russia

Panellists:

Lyubov Belesku — Advisor to the Chairman of the Board, Russian Agricultural Bank

Elena Vorobyova — Head of Online Marketing and E-Commerce Department, Apatit (PhosAgro Group of Companies)

El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf — Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation of the Republic of Senegal

Yulia Dmitrieva — Senior Manager of the Project Office for Educational Development and International Cooperation, State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM

Masamba Kah — Head of the Industrial-Educational Partnership with African Countries, National University of Science and Technology «MISIS»

Oksana Kuznetsova — Director, V.M. Gorbatov Federal Research Center for Food Systems of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Svetlana Merkushina — Executive Director of the Education Industry Center, Sberbank

Anastasia Minina — Vice-Rector for International Affairs, Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University "LETI"

Ebrima Ceesay — Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Gambia to the Russian Federation

Irina Filatova — Member of the Committee State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Competition Committee

9.11.2024
10:00–11:30
Sirius University, conference hall 1
Broadcast

Presentation of the Chestny ZNAK National Digital Marking System: Tracing Products from Raw Materials to the End Consumer

The Chestny ZNAK product marking project has been in place for over five years, launched by a directive from the President of the Russian Federation as a public-private partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia. Built on domestic technologies, the system is comparable in scale to global giants like Uber and Netflix. The digital marking system has been adopted by all member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (the former Eurasian Economic Community) and the Republic of Uzbekistan. It enables real-time tracking of a product’s entire journey, from production or import to sale to the end consumer. Each product leaves a unique digital trace in the system, accessible to consumers, businesses, and the state. Currently, 24 product categories are marked, including medicines, dairy and tobacco products, all clothing and footwear, key excise and non-excise consumer goods, and products for socially vulnerable groups, such as medical devices and rehabilitation aids. The benefits for legal businesses from implementing this marking system have already exceeded RUB 350 billion. As industries gain transparency, legitimate companies are expanding their market share and are better able to manage their operations with system data. This leads to increased budget revenues due to a broader tax base and higher production. The fiscal impact from the start of marking through the end of 2023 amounted to RUB 791 billion, and by mid-2024, the total is already estimated at over RUB 900 billion.
9.11.2024
12:00–13:30
Sirius University, conference hall 5
Broadcast

Trends and Prospects in Trade and Economic Cooperation

Cooperation between Russia and Africa continues to grow rapidly despite sanctions and other external shocks. In 2023, trade reached a record USD 24 billion. Africa is becoming a key destination for Russia’s humanitarian exports, such as grain, energy, and fertilizer. Ties are also strengthening in areas such as digitalization, tourism, and education. Meanwhile, Russia is becoming an attractive destination for labor migration from Africa. Over the past five years, the Russian-African cooperation agenda has diversified significantly. This deepening partnership requires entirely new approaches, such as technology transfer, boosting investment cooperation, addressing challenges in logistics and international payments, and increasing African exports to Russia. Which key economic sectors offer the greatest potential for developing cooperation between Russia and Africa? What role do Russian investments in infrastructure projects on the African continent play, and which projects have been the most successful? What barriers exist to increasing trade between Russia and African nations, and how can they be overcome? How can the development of information technologies and the digital economy help strengthen trade relations between Russia and Africa? What forms of support for exports and investments are needed to stimulate bilateral cooperation? What prospects exist for Russia and Africa to collaborate in the field of energy and green technologies? What are the main challenges facing Russian companies entering African markets, and how can these risks be minimized? What opportunities exist for Russia and African nations to implement joint research and educational projects within the framework of trade and economic cooperation? How could collaboration in the agricultural sector help improve food security and promote economic growth in African states?
Moderator:

Andrey Maslov — Director, Center for African Studies, National Research University Higher School of Economics

Panellists:

Rene Awambeng — Managing Partner, Premier Investment Solutions

Thierry Patrick Akoloza — Minister of Trade and Industry of the Central African Republic

Dmitry Volvach — Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation

Ivan Grosse — Deputy Head of the Hydropower Division, Power Machines

Vittoriya Idrisova — Rector, Russian Foreign Trade Academy of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation

Vladimir Ilyanin — Managing Director, Business Development, Sub-Saharan Africa, Sberbank

Andrey Kirillov — General Director, Advanced Technologies Development Center (ATDC)

Sergey Krasilnikov — Vice President, Managing Director of the International Relations and Integration Directorate, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP)

Binilith Mahenge — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Tanzania Investment Center

Mbasu Wilson Mbadi — State Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives of the Republic of Uganda

Hassan Mohammed Khannenje — Director, HORN International Institute for Strategic Studies

Anton Tsetsinovskiy — Director on International Cooperation and Development, Russian Export Center

9.11.2024
12:00–13:30
Sirius University, conference hall 6
Broadcast

Achievements, Prospects, and Outlook regarding the Development of Humanitarian Cooperation in Education

The current geopolitical reality is such that Russia and Africa have begun to expand the entire spectrum of their strategic interaction, working together on humanitarian projects, educational initiatives in particular.
What projects are already up and running? What have the results been for cooperation in general and secondary vocational education? How important is educational and humanitarian cooperation to Russia’s relationship with Africa? How can the African Union contribute to interaction between Russia and Africa?
Moderator:

Irina Abramova — Director, Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Panellists:

Alexander Bugaev — First Deputy Minister of Enlightenment of the Russian Federation

Anastasia Kalugina — Head of the Department of Strategy and Monitoring of Program Activities, Humanities Support Fund My History

Aurelien Simplice Kongbelet-Zingas — Minister of State of National Education of the Central African Republic

Gana Boukar Mamadou — Minister of National Education and Civic Promotion of the Republic of Chad

Katerina Tikhonova — General Director, Innopraktika (online)

Natalya Tretyak — General Director, Prosveshcheniye

Elena Shmeleva — Chairman of the Board, Sirius Federal Territory; Head, Talent and Success Foundation

Front row participant:

Dewanou Avodagbe — Director of the Minister's Cabinet, Ministry of Nursery and Primary Education of the Republic of Benin

9.11.2024
14:00–15:30
Sirius University, conference hall 1
Broadcast

Joining Forces to Fight Infections

The risk of epidemics in Africa poses a barrier to sustainable development in the region. At the same time, many African nations now have the prerequisites, resources and capabilities in place to combat these risks independently. Russian and African scientists and specialists have a long-standing and successful history of working together in this field. A joint programme aimed at the prevention and control of infections was launched at the second Russia–Africa Summit in 2023, and is set to run until the end of 2026. As a result, joint research has begun in Burundi, Uganda, the Republic of the Congo, Guinea, and Madagascar. Hundreds of pieces of laboratory equipment and tests have been delivered to African countries along with mobile laboratories. In addition, training for local specialists has been expanded. The primary goal of Russia’s partnership programme is to ensure the sovereignty of African nations in the field of biological security, and to enable them to be independent of foreign aid when combating epidemics. In addition, it aims to strengthen the potential of African nations in this field and to remove obstacles to economic development caused by infections. What areas are most important in terms of preventing epidemics in Africa today? What can be done to ensure independence from foreign aid in the field of biological security? Is it possible to reduce reliance on imported anti-epidemic technologies and shift towards developing them in African countries themselves?
Moderator:

Anna Popova — Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing; Chief State Sanitary Physician of the Russian Federation

Panellists:

Diana Atwine — Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uganda

Cyrille Ntirandekura — Chief Inspector, Ministry of Public Health and the Fight against AIDS of the Republic of Burundi

Natalya Pshenichnaya — Deputy Director for Clinical and Analytical Work, The Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor

Alexander Semyonov — Director, Scientific Research Institute of Viral Infections "Virome" of Rospotrebnadzor

Irina Yarovaya — Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

Front row participant:

Ruslan Altaev — Director of International Business Development, Rapid Bio

9.11.2024
14:00–15:30
Sirius University, conference hall 2
Equal Cooperation on the Way to Creating a Safe Information Space

Russian-African Cooperation to Create an International Information Security System

The growing technological gap between developed and developing countries, as well as the cross-border nature of threats arising in the digital environment, encourages Russia and its like-minded states from the African continent to develop full-scale cooperation in the field of international information security. What are the current tasks of building a common safe and stable information space?
9.11.2024
14:00–15:30
Sirius University, conference hall 4
Broadcast

Prospects for Scientific and Educational Cooperation between Russia and Africa

In the current geopolitical climate, cooperation with African nations in the education sector is of particular interest to Russia. There is a rich history spanning more than 60 years of Russia working together with its partners in Africa in the fields of science and education. In both the technical and humanitarian fields, sharing scientific knowledge and expertise via research projects and at international conferences and forums offers the most effective way of expanding expertise among specialists across all areas of science. What prospects exist for Russia and Africa to work together in this regard? What role does the Russian-African Network University (RAFU) consortium play in terms of facilitating interaction? What are the major issues in higher education today? What are the prospects for implementing key research projects? Looking forward, what will the development of inter-university cooperation look like?
Moderator:

Maksim Zalyvsky — Head of the Project Office, Russian-African Network University

Panellists:

Moussa Kalle Abakar — Secretary of State for Higher Education, Research and Professional Training of the Republic of Chad

Irina Abramova — Director, Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Yulia Dmitrieva — Senior Manager of the Project Office for Educational Development and International Cooperation, State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM

Kgwaridi Buti Manamela — Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training of the Republic of South Africa

Vincent Meriton — Chairperson, Seychelles-Russia Friendship Association

Konstantin Mogilevsky — Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation

Monica Jane Musenero Masanza — Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation of the Republic of Uganda

Marina Rekets — Vice-Rector for International Affairs, Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University of Russia

Front row participants:

Vera Verhoturova — Advisor to the Rector for External Relations, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University

Roman Gorbunov — Director, A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the South Seas of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Anastasia Minina — Vice-Rector for International Affairs, Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University "LETI"

9.11.2024
14:00–15:30
Sirius University, conference hall 3
Broadcast

EAEU–Africa: Identifying Key Points of Cooperation Between the Countries and Integration Associations of the Continent

In the 10 years since the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) was established, cooperation with Africa has reached a fundamentally new level. As one of the largest and economically efficient intergovernmental organizations in Eurasia, the Eurasian Economic Union is endeavouring to intensify trade and economic relations with Africa. Africa is one of the most promising and fastest-growing regions in the world, with a population of 1.5 billion and annual GDP growth of around 4%. What’s more, according to UN forecasts, Africa’s population will double by 2050, and by 2100, 40% of the world’s population will live in Africa. Given the turbulence in the global economy today, dialogue between the EAEU and Africa increasingly takes place not only at a bilateral level between states, but also in a manner that utilizes the potential of regional and sub-regional economic associations. This is in turn helping in efforts to jointly identify solutions to global problems, including those reflected in the UN’s 2030 SDG agenda. In addition, it is helping to boost trade and establish direct contacts between business communities. Africa has numerous sub-regional intergovernmental organizations. Dialogue between these and the EAEU is a logical development, and one that holds great practical potential, including in terms of sharing experience in integration. Sharing experience and systematizing the way intergovernmental organizations work together could help raise awareness of one another’s economic opportunities, and identify key areas of interaction in relation to boosting and diversifying mutual trade. What commonalities exist between the EAEU and African intergovernmental organizations in their approaches to integration? What differences exist in their integration models? How are intergovernmental organizations adapting to the changing economic reality? What new strategic integration benchmarks are being outlined? What areas of trade and economic cooperation offer the greatest potential, and what should be the focus of investment? What benefits does economic integration in the two regions offer for business? What contribution could the combined potential of the two structures make to solving the problem of food security? Will it be possible to transition to new forms of trade settlements?
Moderator:

Sergey Mikhnevich — Executive Secretary, Member of the Presidium, EAEU Business Council

Panellists:

Eldar Alisherov — Member of the Board (Minister) for Integration and Macroeconomics, Eurasian Economic Commission

Tarak Ben Salem — Secretary General, Arab Maghreb Union

Gilberto Da Piedade Verissimo — President, Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)

Dmitry Volvach — Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation

Sergey Krasilnikov — Vice President, Managing Director of the International Relations and Integration Directorate, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP)

Omar Touray — President, Commission of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

9.11.2024
14:00–15:30
Sirius University, conference hall 5
Broadcast

Long-term Cooperation in the Agro-Industrial Complex

There is great potential to further boost cooperation between Russia and African nations, and one promising area is the agricultural industry. Collaboration in this sector helps in developing infrastructure, creating new jobs, and enhancing educational standards in African nations. In order to lay the foundations of successful and lasting cooperation, it is essential to consider the specific characteristics, needs, and capacities of each country. This will help improve productivity, product quality, and living standards for the population. What trends are evident with regard to trade in agricultural products between Russia and African nations? What are the prospects for implementing strategic joint ventures with African countries? What is needed to further develop and expand financing and insurance tools to strengthen long-term cooperation between countries? What opportunities exist for direct cooperation between Russian regions and the countries of the African continent?
Moderator:

Dmitry Krasnov — Head, Agroexport

Panellists:

Dmitry Antonov — Senior Vice President, Resurs Group of Agricultural Enterprises; Chairman of the Committee on the Agro-Industrial Complex, Delovaya Rossiya (Business Russia)

Yassine Ahmed-Merdoukh — General Manager, PhytoBioChem SARL

Natalya Bartnovskaya — Director for Development of Foreign Economic Activity, Cherkizovo Group

Kirill Bogomolov — Deputy Head, Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo)

Anzhelika Glazkova — Member of the Committee on State Building and Legislation of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

Sergei Lakhtyukhov — General Director, National Union of Poultry Farmers

Evgeny Medvedev — Director of the Branch in St. Petersburg, Dalreftrans

Julius Funminiyi Ogunromo — Director, ALAKUKU Oil and Oil Gas Nigeria Ltd

Vladimir Ochatov — Deputy General Director for Government Relations, Aston

Machere Rose Seutloali — Managing Director, Northern Agri Hub

Kiya Tesema — Portfolio Director, Ethiopian Investment Holdings

Maxim Uvaidov — State Secretary - Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation

Denis Fedorichev — Director, Bryansk Cheese Factory

9.11.2024
14:00–15:30
Sirius University, conference hall 6
Broadcast

Geological Exploration: Investing in a Sustainable Future

Currently, the economies of all nations require intensified efforts in searching for, exploring, and extracting mineral resources. More and more opportunities are being created on the African continent to expand the geographic scope and scale of such projects. At the same time, Russia is developing and implementing a range of new technologies. These are helping to produce more complete and better data regarding resources, and to improve the efficiency of mining operations. Russian geologists have worked in African nations since the Soviet era, making a significant contribution to the development of the continent’s mineral resource base. This successful experience makes it possible to determine future prospects for cooperation between Russian and African specialists, companies, and government bodies. The African continent is attracting growing attention from foreign investors across the entire technological chain – from geological prospecting to the extraction and processing of mineral resources. It is therefore vital to ensure a fair approach to the study and development of Africa’s mineral wealth, while guaranteeing the economic prosperity of the continent’s nations and protecting the interests of their peoples. What experience does Russia have in relation to geological prospecting and developing deposits in Africa? What are the advantages of investing in the mineral resource base and developing deposits in African nations? What plans are in place to develop national mineral resource complexes on the African continent?
Moderator:

Andrey Maslov — Director, Center for African Studies, National Research University Higher School of Economics

Panellists:

Ousmane Abarchi — Minister of Mines of the Republic of the Niger

Alexander Boytsov — Advisor to the First Deputy General Director, Techsnabexport

Nikita Gusakov — Senior Vice President, Russian Export Center; Chief Executive Officer, EXIAR

Alexey Desyatkin — Director of International Projects, Rosgeo

Oleg Kazanov — Head, Federal Agency for Subsoil Use

Alexander Kozlov — Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation

Pascal Bida Koyagbele — Minister Coordinator to the Strategic Unit of the President of the Central Africa Republic for Capital Construction and Strategic Investments

Vladimir Litvinenko — Rector, Saint-Petersburg Mining University (online)

Mosa Mabuza — Chief Executive Officer, Council for Geoscience (CGS)

Samuel Abraham Peya Mushelenga — Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of Namibia

Georgy Smirnov — General Director, Nordgold Management

Mustapha Bamorie Turay — Chairman of the National Minerals Agency Board of the Republic of Sierra Leone

Front row participant:

Dmitry Goglev — Head of Geophysics Department, Geoscan

9.11.2024
16:00–17:30
Sirius University, conference hall 1
Broadcast

Russia–Africa: In the Struggle for Truth

Combatting demonstrations of neocolonialism is an integral part of the foreign policy of Russia and African countries in order to establish a just world order. Joint opposition to Western propaganda and falsifications in the global information space is of particular importance in this area. One of the responses to the expansionist aspirations of the West should be the strengthening of economic and political ties between Russia and Africa, based on the principles of self-reliant modernization. A key element in this process is the creation of a self-sufficient and independent international financial system for the global majority, based on multipolarity and sovereign economic development.
Moderator:

Nikolay Novichkov — Deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation; Coordinator, Parliamentary Group for Relations with the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa and Parliaments of Other African Countries

Panellists:

Irina Abramova — Director, Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Aleksandr Babakov — Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

Abdoulaye Diop — Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Mali; President, Commission of West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA)

Maria Zakharova — Director, Department of Information and the Press, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

Elena Panina — Director, Institute of International Political and Economic Strategies - RUSSTRAT; Vice President, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs

Margarita Simonyan — Editor-in-Chief, RT TV Channel; Editor-in-Chief, Media Group "Rossiya Segodnya"

Nathalie Yamb — Pan-Africanist, Public Figure

9.11.2024
16:00–17:00
Sirius University, conference hall 2
Equal Cooperation on the Way to Creating a Safe Information Space

Challenges to Digital Sovereignty

Considering the digital sphere as a zone of geopolitical confrontation, a group of states uses information and communication technologies to interfere in the internal affairs of developing countries, monopolizes markets and exacerbates technological dependence. What are the ways to form an international legal regime for ensuring information security on an equal and depoliticized basis?
9.11.2024
16:00–17:30
Sirius University, conference hall 5
Broadcast

Training a New Generation of International Affairs Experts: Educational Initiatives with African Universities

In the current environment of globalization, and given Africa’s growing role in world politics, collaboration with African universities is becoming ever more vital, and international relations specialists are becoming increasingly in demand. Training the next generation of international relations experts through educational initiatives with African universities marks a key step towards developing professionals capable of working effectively in a multipolar world, while considering the interests of all involved. What potential projects and programmes for cooperation exist? What opportunities are there to expand academic exchanges for young people? What specific recommendations and strategies can be fleshed out so as to enhance cooperation in the educational sector between Russia and African nations, particularly with regards to training diplomatic personnel and offering opportunities for further professional development?
Moderator:

Stanislav Surovtsev — Vice-Rector for Youth Policy, Social Work and International Relations, Moscow State Institute of International Relations

Panellists:

Kirill Bogomolov — Deputy Head, Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo)

Abubaker Jeje Odongo — Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda

Jocelyn-Patrick Mandzela — Honorary Consul of the Republic of the Congo in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region

Konstantin Mogilevsky — Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation

Vladimir Nechaev — Rector, Sevastopol State University

David Okpatuma — Co-Founder, Development and Cooperation for Africa (DevCA) Initiative

Rafaravavitafika Rasata — Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Madagascar

Igor Tkachenko — Executive Secretary, Program Committee of the Youth Forum "Russia-Africa: What's Next?"

9.11.2024
16:00–17:30
Sirius University, conference hall 4
Broadcast

Cooperation in Healthcare: Challenges and Prospects

The history of cooperation between our country and African nations spans many decades, and today, healthcare collaboration with the African continent is a priority in the foreign policy of the Russian Federation. Currently, we are focusing on several key areas of partnership with African countries, including the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, reducing child, infant, and maternal mortality, and training healthcare professionals, among others. At present, more than 10,000 students from African nations are enrolled in Russian medical universities under the auspices of the Russian Ministry of Health, and this number is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Russian vaccines are contributing to the fight against infectious diseases in African countries. Our Ebola vaccine, deployed in the Republic of Guinea, demonstrated high efficacy in providing protection. During the pandemic, Russia delivered medical aid to nearly 20 African countries, including vaccines, medical supplies, personal protective equipment, and the deployment of qualified specialists. Russian medical professionals regularly conduct international scientific and practical seminars for healthcare specialists. These seminars focus on areas such as maternal and infant mortality prevention, emergency paediatric care in various clinical settings, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious and parasitic diseases in children, and reducing child mortality from these diseases and their complications through the use of simulation-based training technologies.
Moderator:

Oksana Drapkina — Director, National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation; Chief Visiting Specialist in Therapy and General Medical Practice of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Panellists:

Ali Hadjiadam Abubakar — Minister of Health of the Federal Republic of Somalia

Armel Boubindji-Nzobaba — General Director of Health Promotion, Gabonese Republic

Irina Vasilyeva — Director, National Medical Research Center for Phthisiopulmonology and Infectious Diseases of the Ministry of Health

Evgeny Kamkin — Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Federation

Andrey Kaprin — General Director, National Medical Research Radiological Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation; Chief Visiting Oncologist Specialist of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Ekaterina Priezzheva — Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation

Irina Filatova — Member of the Committee State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Competition Committee

Front row participants:

Ruslan Altaev — Director of International Business Development, Rapid Bio

Mikhail Brovko — Vice-Rector for International Affairs, First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M. Sechenov of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University)

Andrey Kirillov — General Director, Advanced Technologies Development Center (ATDC)

Slauzy Zodwa Mogami — Founder, Chief Executive Officer, Chairperson, Ladies in the Frontline

Valentin Pavlov — Rector, Bashkir State Medical University

9.11.2024
16:00–17:00
Sirius University, conference hall 3
Broadcast

Presentation of the Handbook ‘Africa 2025: Prospects and Challenges’

Moderator:

Valentin Bianki — Leading Expert, Center for African Studies, National Research University Higher School of Economics

Panellists:

Tatenda Mavetera — Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Postal and Courier Services of the Republic of Zimbabwe

Andrey Maslov — Director, Center for African Studies, National Research University Higher School of Economics

Vsevolod Sviridov — Deputy Director, Center for African Studies, Higher School of Economics, National Research University Higher School of Economics

Moctar Seck — Head of Innovation and Technology Sector, UN Economic Commission for Africa

Hassan Khannenje — Director, HORN International Institute for Strategic Studies

9.11.2024
17:30–18:30
Sirius University, conference hall 2
Equal Cooperation on the Way to Creating a Safe Information Space

Key Conditions for Safeguarding Digital Development

A significant obstacle to the formation of a global information security system is the problem of deepening technological inequality. The key to the progressive socio-economic development and strengthening of the digital sovereignty of African States is their capacity building. What are the opportunities for exchanging best practices in the field of information and communication technologies and training qualified personnel?
10.11.2024
09:15–13:00
Broadcast

The First Plenary Session of the First Ministerial Conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum

10.11.2024
16:30–17:30
Sirius University, closing ceremony hall
Broadcast

Closing Ceremony of the First Ministerial Conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum

Moderator:

Irina Abramova — Director, Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Panellists:

Sergey Lavrov — Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug — Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania

Monique Nsanzabaganwa — Deputy Chairman, Africa Union Commission (AUC)

“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