Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s video address at the second international youth forum, “Russia-Africa: What’s next?” Moscow October 24, 2022

Colleagues and friends,

I am happy to welcome you to the second international youth forum, “Russia-Africa: What’s next?”

I would like to express my deep gratitude to Anatoly Torkunov, the MGIMO University administration, and the student activists for organising this forum.

You met here for the first time a year ago. I am pleased to note that the forum is acquiring a permanent “residence” and is becoming a popular discussion venue for exchanging views on Russia-Africa relations. I am convinced that once again Russian and African students, diplomats, experts and scientists will contribute to the intellectual understanding of the state of and prospects for all-round cooperation between Russia and the African nations.

Viewing Africa as a distinctive, dynamically developing continent of the future, we are consistently advocating the strengthening of its status in a multi-polar world arrangement. We want the united and independent voice of Africans to be heard and considered in the international arena. The conditions for this exist. The African states are confidently gaining political weight and achieving considerable success in the economy. In the past decade, Africa’s nominal GDP has increased by 50 percent. Considering the recently created African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), this trend will only gain momentum.

Russian-African relations are time-tested. Having not smeared its image with the bloody crimes of colonialism, our country has always sincerely supported the Africans in their fight against colonialist oppression. It provided them with comprehensive and largely gratis practical assistance.

Today, one of the main priorities of our foreign policy is the strengthening of comprehensive partnership with the African nations. We are open to building up Russian-African ties in the vein of strategic decisions made at the first Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi in October 2019. As you know, the participants in this summit determined the main directions for further political, economic and humanitarian cooperation.

Under today’s conditions of global turbulence caused by the neo-colonialist course of “the historical West” toward reaching world supremacy, the need for Russian-African interaction is becoming even more urgent. We are united by the rejection of the so-called “rules-based order” that the former colonial powers are imposing on the world. This “order” allows others to do only what benefits Washington and its satellites. We consistently advocate the democratisation of international life and respect for the right of nations to determine for themselves the models of political and socio-economic development. Russia greatly appreciates the fact that despite unprecedented and crude pressure, our African friends, like the overwhelming majority of the international community, have not joined the anti-Russia sanctions but continue developing dialogue and cooperation with us. This independent line oriented towards national interests deserves great respect.

Colleagues,

A month ago, President Vladimir Putin announced the holding of the second Russia-Africa Summit in St Petersburg in the summer of 2023. The goal is to confirm the achieved results and harmonise new instruments and mechanisms for promoting the Russia-Africa agenda. We expect the results of the summit to enhance comprehensive cooperation.

Summits are usually preceded by preparations. In the humanitarian area, this is in full swing as we promote academic and youth ties, a theme that is close to you. Many roundtable discussions and conferences have been held this year alone.

I am confident that your forum will also make a useful contribution to our common mission. I wish you productive discussions and all the best.