Putin's Speech at the International Parliamentary Conference "Russia–Africa in a Multipolar World"

Prior to President Xi's arrival, President Putin took part in this very important conference by way of the following speech:

Vladimir Putin: Dear participants of the conference,

Dear friends!

Let me sincerely welcome all of you to the International Parliamentary Conference in Moscow – all representatives of legislative authorities and leaders of party and social movements in African States.

Your conference is undoubtedly important in the context of further development of Russia's multifaceted cooperation with the countries of the African continent. In addition, we consider this event to be one of the key events on the way to preparing for the second Russia-Africa summit to be held in St. Petersburg in July.

There is no doubt that the first Russian-African summit, held in Sochi in October 2019, was very productive and allowed us to significantly revitalize our ties with African states, step up business cooperation, and exchange cultural and humanitarian issues. Thus, the partnership between Russia and African countries has gained additional momentum and is already reaching a qualitatively new level.

This year's conference is attended by representatives of most countries on the continent. Given that it is legislators who are called upon to express the will of the electorate in their countries and work in the interests of their fellow citizens, your visit is evidence of the interest of the peoples of Africa to actively develop comprehensive and mutually beneficial relations with Russia.

I would like to emphasize that our country has always paid and will continue to pay priority attention to cooperation with African States. It is no exaggeration to say that this is one of the invariable priorities of Russian foreign policy.

Since the time of the heroic struggle of the peoples of Africa for their independence, it is well known how much significant support the Soviet Union provided to the peoples of Africa in the struggle against colonialism, racism and apartheid, how it helped many African states to gain and protect their sovereignty, consistently supported them in the formation of statehood, strengthening their defense capabilities, creating the foundations of the national economy, and training personnel. The construction of the largest hydroelectric power station in Africa, the Aswan hydroelectric power station, by Soviet specialists, once became a symbol of such cooperation. And today, the Russian Federation continues to follow the line of support and assistance to the continent.

I would like to note that the African states are constantly increasing their weight and role in world affairs, and they are increasingly asserting themselves in politics and in the economy. We are convinced that Africa will become one of the leaders of the emerging new multipolar world order – there are all objective prerequisites for this.

Africa is known to be home to about 1.5 billion people, and has a huge resource base-almost a third of the world's mineral reserves. Although African countries still account for only three percent of global GDP, we note that the economy of many of them is growing at a faster pace.

In today's very difficult conditions, against the background of turbulence in world politics and the economy, African countries strive to pursue an independent and sovereign foreign and domestic policy, and independently solve their sometimes difficult problems.

Russia and the countries of Africa defend the traditional norms of morality and social foundations for our peoples, and resist the neo-colonial ideology imposed from the outside. By the way, many countries in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America hold similar positions, and together we make up the global majority.

I have repeatedly said that our country is determined to continue building a strategic partnership with our African friends in the full sense of the word. We are ready to jointly shape the global agenda, work together to strengthen fair and equitable interstate relations, and improve mechanisms for mutually beneficial economic cooperation.

Thanks to our assistance, many industrial enterprises have been built on the continent, entire industries have been created, and vital infrastructure and social facilities have been built. At the same time, Russia has written off more than $ 20 billion in debt owed to African states.

The mutual trade turnover is growing every year, which reached almost $ 18 billion last year. It is unlikely that such a figure can completely satisfy us, but we know that this is far from the limit. There is no doubt that a more energetic transition to national currencies in financial settlements and the establishment of new transport and logistics chains will contribute to the development of reciprocal commodity exchanges.

The process of establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area, which will eventually become a continent-wide market with a combined GDP of more than three trillion dollars, opens up additional opportunities. We are in favor of actively establishing ties with this new association both within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union and bilaterally.

Major Russian investment projects are being implemented in Africa with the participation of such domestic companies as Rosneft, Gazpromneft, RusHydro, ALROSA, Lukoil and many others. We will continue to assist African countries in generating electricity, which is still only a quarter of what the continent needs.

Today, we offer new environmentally friendly technologies, primarily in the field of nuclear energy. Rosatom is already building a nuclear power plant in Egypt, and plans to expand its participation in the development of national energy systems on the African continent. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that significant-in some countries, 100% – funding is provided by Russia. These are serious projects in the amount of 15, 20, 25 billion dollars.

Russian-African cooperation in the field of high technologies is being strengthened. For example, the ANGOSAT satellite communications and television broadcasting system is being created in Angola with Russian assistance. Yandex is actively implementing information services for organizing passenger transportation by taxi and other types of transport in the countries of the African continent. At the same time, Russia is always ready to share its technologies with African countries, offering joint diverse technological development.

I would like to emphasize that our country faithfully fulfills all its obligations to supply food, fertilizers, fuel and other products that are critical for the countries of the continent, thereby contributing to ensuring their food and energy security. As you probably know, we are ready to transfer some of our frozen resources in European countries, including fertilizers, and the first shipments have already passed, free of charge. But, unfortunately, even here we are being hindered.

Guided primarily by the needs of African countries, Russia recently agreed to extend for another 60 days the agreement concluded in Istanbul on the export of Ukrainian food through the Black Sea and the unblocking of Russian agricultural exports and fertilizer supplies.

At the same time, we insist on the package nature of this deal-first of all, in the interests of African and other developing countries, bearing in mind that they need more food – we insist on full compliance with key Russian requirements, first of all, as I said, taking care that grain and other goods are sold in the country. Fertilizers were delivered to countries in need in Africa, and not transported to well-fed European markets, to well-fed European countries. Meanwhile, approximately 45 percent of the total volume of grain exported from Ukraine went to European countries, while only three percent went to Africa. I'll probably say a few more words about it now.

I would like to emphasize that only if our position is taken into account will a fair and comprehensive implementation of the Black Sea grain deal be ensured, and depending on this, we will decide on our further participation [in it]. For reference, I can tell you the following information to bring to you. From August 1, 2022 to March 20 of this year, 827 vessels left Ukraine, of which only three million tons of grain were sent to Africa and 1.3 million to the poorest countries in Africa. As I said, almost 45 percent went to well-fed European countries, despite the fact that the whole deal was served under the sauce that we need to ensure the interests of African countries.

By the way, I would like to point out that during the same period, despite all the restrictions and restrictions on the export of Russian grain, almost 12 million tons were sent from Russia to Africa.

And here's something else I'd like to add. If we still decide not to extend this deal after 60 days, we are ready to deliver all the volume that was sent to the most needy countries in Africa in the previous period from Russia to these countries free of charge. (Applause.)

Cooperation between Russia and African countries in the field of education is traditionally at a high level. Currently, about 27 thousand African students study in our country, of which more than five thousand are funded by the federal budget. At the same time, the annual quota for their admission to state-funded places in Russian universities will be more than doubled. The project of the Russian-African Network University has entered the practical stage.

We also intend to step up cooperation on such vital topics for Africa as medicine and public health, ensuring biological and epidemic safety. For this purpose, Russia is ready to transfer mobile laboratories with equipment, modern medicines, and train specialized specialists to Africans.

By the way, during the coronavirus pandemic, our country was one of the first countries to supply large volumes of vaccines, test systems, sanitary products, and other medical and humanitarian supplies to African countries.

And of course, Russia always lends a helping hand to African countries in overcoming the devastating consequences of natural disasters: floods, fires, hurricanes and droughts. Cooperation in the fight against terrorism and extremism has developed significantly in recent years.

Military and military-technical cooperation continues, including deliveries of Russian weapons and military equipment to African partners, and training of relevant personnel. Currently, military personnel from more than 20 African countries study at the universities of the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Dear friends!

We are seriously preparing for the second Russian-African summit and, naturally, we will be glad to see leaders from all African countries, as well as heads of regional organizations, at this forum.

A rich and meaningful agenda is being developed for the summit and the economic and humanitarian forums held in conjunction with it. In total, on the eve and within the framework of the summit, it is planned to hold more than a hundred different events.

In conclusion, I would like to recall the words of the outstanding African statesman, fighter for independence and the rights of the peoples of Africa, Nelson Mandela, which still sound very relevant: nothing should turn us off the road to freedom, and we should not allow anyone to stand in our way. I am convinced that by working together and helping each other, we can do much for the prosperity and well-being of the peoples of Africa and Russia.

Thank you so much for being here with us in Moscow today. Thank you. Good luck to you.