RIAC Decennium

The Russian International Affairs Council marks its decennium in December, 2021. RIAC receives congratulations conveyed by state officials, politicians, public figures and representatives of partner organizations.

The Russian International Affairs Council marks its decennium in December, 2021. RIAC receives congratulations conveyed by state officials, politicians, public figures and representatives of partner organizations.

• Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Chairman of RIAC’s Board of Trustees

• Sergey Shoigu, Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, General of the Army

• Valentina Matvienko, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

• Leonid Slutsky, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, RIAC member

• Desmond Browne, Executive Board Member of the European Leadership Network

• Aleksandr Dzasokhov, Deputy Chairman, Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO, RIAC’s Vice-President

• Thomas Gomart, Director of the French Institute of International Relations — Ifri 

• Aleksey Maslov, Director of the Institute for Asian and African Studies at Lomonosov Moscow State University, RIAC member

• Xie Fuzhan, President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS)

• Nikolai Spassky, Deputy Director General at Rosatom State Company, RIAC member

• Ernest J. Moniz, Co-Chair and CEO, Nuclear Threat Initiative

• International Crisis Group

• Thomas Greminger, Director of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy

Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Chairman of RIAC’s Board of Trustees

Ten years into its existence, the Russian International Affairs Council has come to be an acclaimed foreign policy think tank and a prestigious platform for inclusive dialogue on most pertinent of the issues on the international agenda.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry relishes the close relations of meaningful engagement and partnership that we at Smolenskaya Square enjoy with colleagues working at RIAC. This mutually enriching partnership has never been more relevant than it is today. Since the exchange of up-to-date analyses never comes to a halt, experts at RIAC have a natural feel for the flavor and the peculiarities of the immediate diplomatic activity, while Russia’s diplomatic officers are always aware of the recent advances in the field of international relations.

Sergey Shoigu, Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, General of the Army

As of today, RIAC is one of the leading international affairs think tanks in Russia. Over the past ten years, the Russian Council has carried out extensive and far-reaching work to analyze the developments in the international situation as it evolves as well as to devise recommendations aimed at establishing a constructive dialogue among nations. I would like to make special mention of what the Russian Council does to promote Russia’s interests internationally and cement Russia’s position on the international stage amid heightened conflict potential worldwide.

Valentina Matvienko, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

Since it was founded, RIAC has sought to accomplish demanding and essential tasks, contributing to Russia’s development, attaining lasting peace and cultivating friendship and harmony among nations. Throughout the years of devoted work, the Council has established a unique communications network, building on the constructive cooperation with partners, both domestically and abroad. In providing expert assessments of the recent international developments while finding ways to overcome the existing challenges that are informed by the global context, RIAC has brought together well-known politicians, state officials, academicians, businessmen, and point men of the civil society.

Today, RIAC is one of Russia’s leading think tanks that excels in international affairs.

Leonid Slutsky, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, RIAC member

The analytical, academic, educational and editorial work performed by RIAC’s leading experts highlights the Council’s invaluable contribution to the foreign policy promoted by President Vladimir Putin of Russia.

Hosted in collaboration with renowned foreign partners — politicians, journalists, experts and members of business community — to discuss controversial issues and find common ground by working out joint recommendations on most pressing international dossiers, RIAC’s events attest to the truly inexhaustible potential of public diplomacy as it serves our main and shared goal, which is to ensure Russia’s prosperity and its secured and peaceful integration into the world community.

Desmond Browne, Executive Board Member of the European Leadership Network

Right from its outset ten years ago in 2011, the Russian International Affairs Council has been something special.

This is not surprising, given its enlightened and energetic leadership under the direction of Igor Ivanov as president and Andrey Kortunov as director general. Nevertheless, it is striking how it has managed to operate independently of government while being government-supported, open to a wide range of voices, subjects and partnerships. It has grown rapidly to become one of Russia’s leading international think tanks. And it is international not just in its geographic coverage but also in the thematic issues it covers, spanning everything from international security to energy and economics to the world 100 years from now.

Aleksandr Dzasokhov, Deputy Chairman, Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO, RIAC’s Vice-President

There is no disputing the fact that RIAC has gained great recognition over the 10 years of its activity. Especially important is that the Council has become an indispensable link between the government, the expert community, the civil society and business circles.

Thomas Gomart, Director of the French Institute of International Relations — Ifri

Since its creation, the Russian International Affairs Council has quickly gained an important place among existing Russian think tanks and at the international level. You are distinguished by the quality of your analysis, the relevance and diversity of the topics discussed, and your large network of Russian and international experts.

These ten years have been extremely difficult for international relations, and especially for Russia, whose relations with the US and the EU have been confrontational since 2014. In this difficult environment, you have managed to successfully meet three challenges. First, to become a valuable source for foreign experts, politicians, and journalists to better understand Russia's vision of international issues. Second, to be an effective platform for international meetings and discussions, continuing to bring together experts from different countries. Third, one of valuable sources of policy recommendations for decision-makers.

Aleksey Maslov, Director of the Institute for Asian and African Studies at Lomonosov Moscow State University, RIAC member

Over the past 10 years, there has been a remarkable consolidation of opinion concerning Russia’s foreign policy. It is RIAC, as well as other prominent think tanks, that has managed to consolidate the professional sentiment. We now understand which experts can be relied on in their analyses—while they may well hold opinions opposite to ours, these will always be based on professional excellence.

Xie Fuzhan, President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS)

Ten years into its foundation, your diligent leadership has rendered RIAC into Russia’s most excelling think tank, attaining outstanding results in such areas as theoretical research, strategic analysis and public diplomacy. RIAC has received broad international recognition and approval. For a long time, the Council has been contributing to strengthened and deepened Sino-Russian relations marked by comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation for a new era. Besides, RIAC has made significant contribution to stimulating contacts between the peoples of the two States.

Nikolai Spassky, Deputy Director General at Rosatom State Company, RIAC member

The quality of the country’s foreign policy as well as the professional back-up of such policy will become a major factor determining Russia’s security and prosperity. This makes such institutions as RIAC all the more relevant, as they have been established precisely to provide impartial expertise in the field of foreign policy.

Ernest J. Moniz, Co-Chair and CEO, Nuclear Threat Initiative

The success of RIAC in its bilateral and multilateral engagements around the world is due in no small measure to your outstanding leadership and integrity, which is evident in RIAC’s highly respected scholarship and its willingness to engage diverse organizations and opinion leaders in search of solutions aimed at enhancing understanding and offering policy recommendations that could lead toward a more positive future.

RIAC has earned a reputation throughout the world as the paramount international affairs institution in Russia. It has become the “go-to” organization for foreign policy experts who seek to gain a better understanding of Russian foreign policy and has been highly effective in offering practical foreign policy recommendations to leaders in Russia and beyond.

International Crisis Group

In Moscow, the Russian International Affairs Council is among our most valuable partners, and a first port of call for our visiting analysts. Under Director General Andrey Kortunov, RIAC has consistently offered a welcoming environment in which to discuss the many difficult challenges confronting the world. We invariably benefit greatly from the open atmosphere, deep insights, and vigorous debate that RIAC has given us.

Thomas Greminger, Director of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy

Within this highly significant period of time, the RIAC has become a leading Russian foreign policy think tank with an extensive network of prominent experts working on key issues of International Security. Since its foundation, the RIAC has worked tirelessly to develop numerous, and highly valuable partnerships with various institutions around the world. Today, we are incredibly pleased to include ourselves as one of the these.