Proposals for developing relations between Russia and the Global South were formulated at the Symposium

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At the National Centre RUSSIA, participants of a round table discussed the themes and images that unite Russia and the Global South as part of the open programme of the II International Symposium "Inventing the Future". The event was co-organised by ANO "Creative Economy".

Creative industries in the 21st century are becoming a powerful tool for strengthening political ties, generating new cultural meanings, and maintaining constructive dialogue between countries, noted Alena Pavlovskaya, Head of the International Cooperation Department at ANO "Creative Economy".

"Creative industries make a major contribution to our country’s economy — today they account for 4% of GDP. In Moscow alone, this amounts to more than three trillion roubles. This is creativity through which people earn a living, express themselves, and present their ideas. And this is not unique to us — creative industries are also thriving across the Global South, where new trends, ideas, and projects are taking shape," said Alena Pavlovskaya.

Yelena Yermakovishna, Head of the LongFashionWeekend Ural project, producer of cultural events, art historian, designer, and lecturer at the HSE School of Design, outlined key trends in the fashion industry and emphasised that only through dialogue can important shared themes be addressed and adaptation to change achieved.

"We see how Russian designers and local brands are opening new directions and expanding their geography, entering international markets. This new development trajectory is building economic potential — over the past three years, we have seen incredible growth, including on digital platforms actively used by founders. Cooperation with the Global South increases brand prestige and creates ‘cross-pollination’, as cultures enrich each other and attract new audiences. Today, it is crucial to be as fast and resourceful as possible in decision-making — and this is exactly what the Russian fashion industry demonstrates," said Yelena Yermakovishna.

Sharing his perspective on the potential of the creative industries, Vasily Ovchinnikov, CEO of the Video Game Industry Development Organisation, noted that video games have long ceased to be mere entertainment. In 2024, the global gaming market was valued at between 190 and 270 billion USD and is expected to reach 435 billion by 2029. He cited successful examples of products created by Russian developers and emphasised that this industry can stimulate economic growth in different countries through the creation of domestic distribution platforms, while also fostering mutual cultural enrichment.

Ferdi Alici, Director of the global creative media studio Ouchhh (Turkey), drew attention to how art can serve science — a principle that his company implements in its projects worldwide.

"When we started creating art content 15 years ago, there were no generative models. Today, each project is developed by a large team integrating technology and art into public spaces. We work like artists — like Michelangelo — but for us, data is paint and the brush is the algorithm. With artificial intelligence, we create installations and storytelling that transform perception of the environment and introduce audiences to the cultural heritage of various countries. For example, the Egyptian Museum in Cairo provided us with 600,000 archival items, and based on them, we developed the language of the ancient Egyptian gods, allowing us to reconstruct lost papyrus fragments. Art can be a powerful tool for scientists studying the past," said Ferdi Alici.

David Okpatuma (Nigeria), co-founder of the initiative Development and Cooperation for Africa (DevCA) and member of the Eurasian-African Peoples’ Assembly, noted that young people make up to 66% of the population in African countries, and 90% of gamers use smartphones. Naturally, digital products are designed for them, but Russia — as a frontier of global cooperation from a diplomatic standpoint — could make a significant contribution to the development of higher education on the African continent.

The outcomes of the round table will serve as the foundation for a roadmap for developing cooperation through creative industries — as a space for generating new meanings, building trust, and fostering sustainable partnerships.

The II International Symposium "Inventing the Future" is being held on 7 – 8 October at the National Centre RUSSIA, bringing together participants from more than 85 countries and all regions of the Russian Federation. Over 260 Russian and international experts from China, the United States, Italy, Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa are taking part.

The International Symposium "Inventing the Future" is organised at the instruction of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, under the auspices of the Decade of Science and Technology in Russia, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. The analytical partner of the Symposium is the VCIOM Analytical Centre, and the literary partner is the Eksmo-AST Publishing Group.