On June 16, 2025, the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and the Institute for African Studies (IAS) of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) hosted a conference, “BRICS and Africa: Political, Economic and Humanitarian Cooperation,” marking the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference.
The conference opened with welcoming remarks from Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and RIAC member Sergey Ryabkov, RIAC Director General Ivan Timofeev and IAS RAS Deputy Director Natalia Zherlitsina. In his address, Sergey Ryabkov noted that Africa is already well represented in BRICS through full members—South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia—and partner countries—Nigeria and Uganda. Russia is not the only country that is turning more attention to Africa, the deputy foreign minister stressed, adding that other BRICS members are just as involved. They are equally active in developing bilateral relations and engaging with regional organizations. Synchronizing these efforts through BRICS could help drive African development forward. Ivan Timofeev pointed out the increasing interest African nations are showing in BRICS and the development agenda outlined in the group’s declarations, which resonates with the countries of the continent. Natalia Zherlitsina observed in her remarks that colonialism and decolonization remain major concerns for Africa and that BRICS has an important role to play in overcoming the legacy of colonialism and shaping a new world order—a role that is expected to grow.
On June 16, 2025, the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and the Institute for African Studies (IAS) of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) hosted a conference, “BRICS and Africa: Political, Economic and Humanitarian Cooperation,” marking the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference.
The conference opened with welcoming remarks from Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and RIAC member Sergey Ryabkov, RIAC Director General Ivan Timofeev and IAS RAS Deputy Director Natalia Zherlitsina. In his address, Sergey Ryabkov noted that Africa is already well represented in BRICS through full members—South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia—and partner countries—Nigeria and Uganda. Russia is not the only country that is turning more attention to Africa, the deputy foreign minister stressed, adding that other BRICS members are just as involved. They are equally active in developing bilateral relations and engaging with regional organizations. Synchronizing these efforts through BRICS could help drive African development forward. Ivan Timofeev pointed out the increasing interest African nations are showing in BRICS and the development agenda outlined in the group’s declarations, which resonates with the countries of the continent. Natalia Zherlitsina observed in her remarks that colonialism and decolonization remain major concerns for Africa and that BRICS has an important role to play in overcoming the legacy of colonialism and shaping a new world order—a role that is expected to grow.
The plenary session “Africa–BRICS Cooperation” addressed the global political context in which BRICS and African countries are developing their cooperation and strengthening the role of the Global South on the international scene. It also focused on aligning the development agendas of African countries with their cooperation with BRICS members on a range of issues—from infrastructure projects to collaboration in advanced technologies. Diplomats and experts from Russia and African countries offered their perspectives on the future of Africa–BRICS cooperation.
Speakers at the session included Nazih Ali Bahaaeldin Elnaggary, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Russia; Vladimir Shubin, Chief Research Fellow at IAS RAS and Honorary Doctor of the University of the Western Cape (South Africa); and Rasigan Maharajh, Elected Member of the Academy of Science of South Africa. The panel also featured Zahier Amien, Head of the Office of South Africa’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alvin Botes; Cecile Heppes, Counselor at the South African Embassy in Russia; and Mohammed Salah Abdelrazek Halima, First Secretary at the Embassy of Egypt in Russia.
The plenary session was moderated by the Head of the IAS RAS Center for African Strategy in BRICS, Daria Zelenova.
During the session “Economic Development Within the BRICS Framework,” participants discussed issues related to sovereign economic development of African nations, the prospects for alternative BRICS-led financial systems, and the potential for infrastructure projects on the continent.
Speakers included Philani Mthembu, Executive Director at the Institute for Global Dialogue (IGD) in South Africa; Sergey Volkov, Head of the Center for Russian–African Relations and Foreign Policy of African Countries Studies at IAS RAS; Denis Degterev, Chief Research Fellow at the Center for Transition Economy Studies at IAS RAS; Vasiliy Sidorov, Senior Research Fellow at the IAS RAS Center for African Strategy in BRICS; and Nikita Kuklin, Expert at the ASEAN Center and Associate Professor of the Department of Asian and African Studies, MGIMO University.
The session was moderated by the Head of the School of World Economy at the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs and Head of the Laboratory for Economics of Climate Change at HSE University, Igor Makarov.
The final session of the conference, “African–BRICS Humanitarian Cooperation,” explored the prospects for humanitarian engagement among BRICS members and African nations, the integration of African BRICS members into the group’s scientific and educational partnerships, and humanitarian projects led by BRICS in Africa.
Speakers at the session included Sofia Zamesina, Junior Research Fellow at the IAS RAS Center for African Strategy in BRICS; Mayya Nikolskaya, Head of the Africa Studies Program at the Institute for International Studies, MGIMO University; Tamara Andreeva, Junior Research Fellow at the IAS RAS Center for African Strategy in BRICS; Anna Velikaya, Senior Research Fellow at the Group on Peace and Conflict Studies, IMEMO RAS; and Alexander Novikov, Project Director at the Gorchakov Fund and Junior Research Fellow at the IAS RAS Center for Transition Economy Studies.
The session was moderated by RIAC Program Manager Konstantin Sukhoverkhov.
The conference concluded with closing remarks from RIAC Director General Ivan Timofeev and Head of the IAS RAS Center for African Strategy in BRICS Daria Zelenova.
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