MOSCOW, October 28. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin is beginning an extensive series of events as part of the Russia-Africa Summit.
Wednesday’s agenda includes participation in the third Russia-Africa Economic Summit and Humanitarian Forum, a meeting with the heads of major regional organizations, and a formal reception hosted by the Russian president.
As Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov previously reported, 48 of Africa’s 54 countries will participate in this year’s summit, including 22 represented at the level of heads of state. The current chairperson of the African Union, President of Burundi Evariste Ndayishimiye, will co-chair various events alongside Putin.
The theme of the Economic and Humanitarian Forum is "Developing Mutually Beneficial Cooperation and Unlocking the Potential of Every African Country Together." The Russian president will also participate in its first plenary session.
According to Ushakov, Putin will assess the state of trade and economic relations between Russia and African countries in his address. Particular priority will be given to sovereign development on an equal footing, as well as ensuring African countries’ equitable access to resources, fertilizers, and modern technologies.
Following the plenary session, Putin will tour an exhibition at Gostiny Dvor together with African leaders. The exhibition will have a practical focus. In addition to showcasing ongoing Russian-African projects, it will highlight Russia’s advanced technologies and innovations that Moscow is prepared to share with its partners on the continent.
Program at the Kremlin
However, Wednesday’s events will extend well beyond the forum’s plenary session. The Russian president will receive representatives of Africa’s largest regional organizations who have arrived in Moscow at St. Andrew’s Hall, the most ceremonial and prestigious hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace.
The traditional meeting is expected to bring together representatives of the African Union, the African Continental Free Trade Area, the East African Community, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the Southern African Development Community, the Economic Community of Central African States, the Economic Community of West African States, the Arab Maghreb Union, and the African Export-Import Bank.
A formal reception hosted by the Russian president is also expected. As is customary, Putin will hold the event in the very heart of the Kremlin, the Faceted Chamber. Dating back to the Soviet era, such formal dinners have traditionally underscored the highest status of these meetings and the particularly warm relations with the countries represented by the distinguished guests.
The series of bilateral meetings that Putin began the previous day will also continue. On Tuesday, Moscow hosted a summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum. After holding multilateral discussions with his counterparts, Putin met separately with several of them, namely Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Republic of Mozambique Daniel Francisco Chapo, President of Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and Chairman of Libya’s Presidential Council Mohamed al-Menfi.
The program will continue over the following two days. In particular, plenary sessions of the Russia-Africa Summit and further bilateral meetings are expected.
About the summit
The Russia-Africa Summit is being held for the third time and for the first time in Moscow. St. Petersburg hosted the previous summit in the summer of 2023, while the inaugural summit took place in Sochi in the fall of 2019.