"Russia and Africa": experts discussed what relations will be by 2063
A panel discussion "Russia and Africa in 2063" became an important part of the programme of the II International Symposium "Inventing the Future" at the National Centre RUSSIA. This event was a part of the programme of the track "Global Cooperation". Representatives of the diplomatic and scientific circles considered the prospects and directions of the Russian-African partnership. The session was co-organized by the HSE African Studies Centre.
The African continent's role in world politics and economy is constantly growing, and in parallel with this process, relations between Russia and African countries are strengthening and developing, said Valentin Bianki, moderator of the discussion "Russia and Africa in 2063", leading expert at the HSE Centre for African Studies, head of "Bianki and Partners" company. According to him, the understanding of Africa is not deep enough in Russia now, but not everyone in Africa knows about Russia either.
"We don't make forecasts, we create scenarios. Africa is young, digital, and forward-looking. Russia is technological and rich in resources. Together, they can become a new pillar of global balance," stressed Valentin Bianki.
By 2063, according to the panelists, the partnership between Russia and Africa can turn into a strategic bridge connecting energy, digital technologies, logistics and education — that is, an integrated system based on trust, innovation and mutual benefit.
At the discussion, Andrei Panyukhov, Deputy Director of the Department for Partnership with Africa at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke about how relations between Russia and Africa will develop. In particular, he stressed that cooperation in the field of tourism will increase. According to him, in the future, Russians will be able to explore the entire African continent.
Pavel Kalmychek, Director of the Department for Bipartite Cooperation Development at the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, stressed that Russia believes in Africa. The countries on the African continent certainly have economic potential. Currently, Russia supplies Africa with a large amount of food and energy resources.
"Partnership with Africa goes beyond raw materials cooperation. In the coming decades, joint industrial and logistics clusters based on the principles of technological exchange and sustainable development will appear," the speaker emphasized.
Moctar Seck from Senegal, Chief of Section on Innovation and Technology of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, placed special emphasis on the use of nuclear energy sources, road construction and infrastructure facilities. He also noted that our countries can cooperate in the field of AI and agriculture.
"We have opportunities to build close cooperation. Knowing Russia's potential, we can find new areas of contact," Seck stressed.
Aliu Tunkara from Mali, member of the National Assembly of Mali, co-founder of the NGO "Russian House in Mali" and "African Unity", Chairman of the Cultural and Business Council of the International Association GATINGO, Chairman of the Parliamentary Friendship Group "Mali — Russia", introduced his colleagues to the legislative aspects of cooperation.
"It is very important to create a legal framework for our partnership in order to simplify and strengthen it. We need it to make it easier to cooperate in the field of business and the economy," Aliu Tunkara said.
Vicensia Shule from Tanzania, Senior Cultural Specialist at the Department of Health, Humanitarian Aid and Social Development of the African Union Commission, Senior Staff Member at the African Academy of Languages (ACALAN), spoke about the importance of cultural exchange between the countries.
"Young people in Africa would like to know how young people in Russia live, how to find common ground and common interests. Cooperation often begins with young people," said Shule.
The II International Symposium "Inventing the Future" is being held at the National Centre RUSSIA on 7 – 8 October, and brought together participants from more than 85 countries, and from all subjects of the Russian Federation. It is attended by more than 260 Russian and foreign experts from China, the USA, Italy, Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
The International Symposium "Inventing the Future" is organized on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin under the auspices of the Decade of Science and Technology, 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 is the VTsIOM Analytical Centre. The literary partner is Eksmo-AST Publishing Group.
