Economic cooperation between Russia and Mexico gains momentum as first business forum wraps up: results

The Roscongress Foundation’s Roscongress International brand organized the first ever Russia–Mexico Business Forum with the support of the Russian Trade Mission in Mexico and the National Chamber of the Transformation Industry (CANACINTRA). The event brought together about 300 individuals from the business community, government officials, and experts from both countries.

Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation Anton Kobyakov drew attention to the fact that Mexico remained an important Russian partner in Latin America 135 years after diplomatic relations were first established between the two countries and the importance of holding the Forum now.

“Significant potential exists for economic and cultural cooperation between Russia and Mexico and holding this Forum on Mexican soil is an important step in the strategic partnership developing between our countries. I am confident we will see tangible results from this work, and it will set an example of effective cooperation for other countries to follow,’ Kobyakov added.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Mexico Nikolay Sofinskiy helped kick the Forum off with words of welcome, expressing his belief the Forum would unlock new opportunities for strengthening cooperation and lay the foundation for regular business interaction between companies in the two countries. According to Sofinskiy, the interest of Mexican business in Russia is steadily growing, and Mexico ranks second among Russia’s trading partners in Latin America. in Latin America is only increasing. Mexican Ambassador to Russia Eduardo Villegas Mejias and Vice President of the National Chamber of the Transformation Industry (CANACINTRA) Carlos Barrera Romero also delivered speeches.

The opening ceremony was followed immediately by a presentation of the Roscongress Foundation’s most important business platforms. Roscongress Foundation Deputy CEO and St. Petersburg International Economic Forum Director Alexey Valkov spoke of the role of Roscongress Foundation events as access points to the Russian business environment and as a foundation for building partnerships, inviting Mexican entrepreneurs to participate in Russia’s major business forums.

“The Roscongress Foundation has been helping Russian companies build mutually beneficial cooperation with their international counterparts and find partners and investors for more than 15 years now. To do so, we have created a vast ecosystem of business events that includes SPIEF, the Eastern Economic Forum (3-6 September), and Russian Energy Week (15-17 October), among others. Last year SPIEF attracted more than 21,800 participants from 139 countries, and over a thousand agreements were signed. We have no doubt that today’s meeting will result in new business projects finding an outlet for development at Roscongress forums,” Valkov said.

The highlight of the event was the plenary session ‘Trade and Economic Cooperation between Russia and Mexico: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow’, where participants discussed the current state of trade, support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), overcoming barriers, and opportunities to expand cooperation.

Russia’s Trade Representative in Mexico Alexander Abramov emphasized that existing agreements and growing business exchanges had already begun to show tangible results, with trade between the countries reaching USD 1.3 billion in 2024.

Experts participating in the ‘Russia and Mexico: New Opportunities for Cooperation in Energy and Geological Exploration’ panel discussion considered possible joint initiatives in oil and gas, renewable energy, and nuclear technologies. Rosatom America Latina Director Ivan Dybov spoke of possible applications of small modular reactors (SMRs) in the region, such as the use of land-based SMRs as a reliable power source for remote areas and industrial facilities as well as solutions for coastal zones and marine infrastructure.

“The market potential for small modular reactors in Latin America is predicted to reach 1 GW by 2040. Such technologies have the potential to become an important part of sustainable energy in Mexico,” Dybov said.

The session ‘Building a Digital Bridge between Russia and Mexico through Innovation and Cooperation’ focused on digitalization, with participants considering opportunities for collaboration in the areas of ICT, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, fintech, and smart cities.

“We see great potential in the creation of a cross-border data repository, integration with local registries, and the development of common standards for regulating intellectual property. Particular attention is being paid at present to the legal regulation of neural networks and IP in datasets. We believe Russia and Mexico can work together in this area,” Adviser to the President for the Development of the IPChain Association Alexey Sokolov said.

The session dedicated to ‘Culture and Society in the Russian-Mexican Business Dialogue’ showed how much potential exists for cooperation between the two countries in culture, education, and tourism. In his video address, Special Representative of the Russian President on International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoy recalled the 2024 signing of the bilateral programme for cooperation in culture, education, youth policy, and sports for 2024-2026. Discussion participants expressed a belief that the Forum would lead to practical mechanisms for implementing this programme.

Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation to Yucatan, Campeche, and Chiapas and Head of the Knorozov Centre for Maya Studies Adrian Maldonado Repetto presented an initiative aimed at developing cultural tourism in the Maya Region that would establish a tourist route connecting Moscow, Havana, and the Yucatan Peninsula, make the Chichen Itza Airport a key transport hub, and emphasize the importance of cultural and historical tourism alongside beach tourism.

The Forum provided representatives of Russian energy, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and digital technology enterprises with the opportunity to meet with Mexican entrepreneurs on specific areas of cooperation. Participants expressed a willingness to continue the dialogue at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on 18–21 June 2025.

Trade, energy, technology, culture: what to expect at first Russia–Mexico Business Forum

The business programme of the first Russia–Mexico Business Forum, scheduled for 3 April 2025 in Mexico City, is now available. Organized by the Roscongress Foundation’s Roscongress International brand, the Forum will bring together businesspeople, government officials, and members of the expert community from both countries.

2025 marks 135th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Mexico, in which time the two countries have interacted on a variety of levels, invariably maintaining their respect for one another and aspiring to develop even closer economic ties. Mexico is currently Russia’s second largest trade partner in Latin America, and trade turnover continues to grow steadily.

“I am pleased to note the importance of the Russia–Mexico Business Forum as a response to a growing interest in mutually beneficial cooperation on the part of the business communities in both our countries. In recent years, there has been increasing attention from Mexican companies to opportunities to work with Russia. We are prepared to work with our partners in a variety of spheres, from trade and investment to innovation and culture. This Forum will allow us to engage in open dialogue, exchange ideas, find new opportunities, and strengthen partnership between our countries on the path to developing more effective cooperation,” Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Mexico Nikolay Sofinskiy said.

The Forum will open with the plenary session ‘Trade and Economic Cooperation Between Russia and Mexico: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow’, which will host a discussion of the current state of bilateral trade and key exports and imports. Opportunities for expanding business interaction, barriers to increasing turnover, and ways to strengthen the partnership between Russia and Mexico are also on the agenda.

The Forum programme will focus particular attention on energy cooperation in the panel discussion ‘Russia and Mexico: New Opportunities for Cooperation in Energy and Prospecting’. The economic and technological changes sweeping the globe have created new opportunities for Russia and Mexico to cooperate in the oil and gas sector, nuclear and renewable energy, and exploration and development. Forum participants will consider the outlook for technological exchange and cooperation on investment in the energy sector.

The digital transformation will find itself at the centre of attention in the panel discussion ‘Innovation and Cooperation: Building a Digital Bridge Between Russia and Mexico’. All across the world, digital technologies are actively being introduced into the economy, and e-commerce, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, fintech solutions, and smart cities are developing fast. Russia and Mexico are interested in using digital technologies to make their economies more competitive, and the Forum will explore the potential for cooperation in this area.

Exchanges as part of the ‘Culture and the Humanities in the Dialogue Between Russia and Mexico’ panel discussion will focus on interaction between Russia and Mexico in culture, education, tourism, and sports. In the summer of 2024, Russia and Mexico signed a programme of cooperation in culture, education, and youth policy for 2024–2026, with the Forum an important stage in its implementation.

“Agricultural exports have increased significantly since 2022, with Russian exports to Mexico predicted to reach more than USD 350 million by 2030. Projects in the energy sector are promising, with work currently underway to develop the production and supply of energy resources. Mexico also happens to be one of the world’s largest producers of certified organic coffee – a product that enjoys strong demand on the Russian market. This Forum in Mexico City is an important step in expanding economic contacts, launching new joint projects, and deepening business interaction between the two countries, something we would like to then pick up at SPIEF,” Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation and Director of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum Alexey Valkov said.

Mexicans attending the Forum will also be introduced to the Roscongress Foundation ecosystem and such important discussion platforms as the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum, the Russian Energy Week International Forum, the Eastern Economic Forum, and the Let’s Travel! International Tourism Forum, among other business events.

The Russia–Mexico Business Forum is being held with the support of the Trade Mission of the Russian Federation in the United Mexican States and the National Chamber of the Manufacturing Industry CANACINTRA, with whom an agreement was signed at SPIEF 2024. There are plans to continue the Russian-Mexican business dialogue as part of the programme of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which will be held on 18–21 June.

Jakarta to host Russia–Indonesia Business Forum

The Russia–Indonesia Business Forum will take place in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on 14–15 April 2025 on the sidelines of the 13th meeting of the Russian-Indonesian Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, and Technical Cooperation. The co-organizers of the Forum are the Roscongress Foundation under the Roscongress International brand and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN). The Forum marks an important stage in the development of an open and trust-based dialogue between the business communities of the two countries and aims to provide a platform to discuss, search for, and promote initiatives and projects that can strengthen Russian-Indonesian cooperation.

“The year 2025 is a key stage in the history of Russian–Indonesian relations. This year, we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries, and we are also accepting Indonesia into BRICS, which is evidence of the dynamic development of cooperation between our countries. The Russian-Indonesian business dialogue has every chance of attaining a new level. Moreover, we are on the verge of signing an agreement on a free trade zone between the Eurasian Economic Union and Indonesia. In this regard, holding the Business Forum is not only a pertinent, but also a crucial step in intensifying our wide-ranging cooperation in bilateral and multilateral formats. I am certain that this event will open new horizons for strengthening and deepening friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries,” Adviser to the Russian President Anton Kobyakov said.

A wide range of issues will be discussed at the Forum: trade and exports, energy, mining, transport and logistics, digitalization and advanced technologies, agro-industrial complex, the halal industry, the creative industries, tourism, science and education, an inter-integration dialogue between the EAEU and ASEAN and much more.

“This year, Indonesia will celebrate the 80th anniversary of its independence, which was also greatly facilitated by the Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War and its contribution to ending World War II. Back in 1950, Indonesia’s first president Sukarno laid the foundation for bilateral cooperation based on the principles of a strong friendship, mutual respect, and trust. The Soviet Union did a lot to establish the new statehood of the young Republic of Indonesia, made an invaluable contribution to strengthening its defence capability, and helped lay the foundations of the national economy. I firmly believe that the potential that has amassed in Russian-Indonesian relations creates a solid basis for taking such relations to the level of a strategic partnership in the foreseeable future,” Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Indonesia Sergey Tolchenov said.

A plenary session and thematic discussions will take place at the Forum. One key event will be a multi-industry business mission of Russian companies under the auspices of the Russian Export Center.

“Indonesia is a promising destination for Russian exports. It is the main economy of Southeast Asia, and the country’s accession to BRICS further strengthens its position on the world stage. Now is the time for Russian businesses to enter the Indonesian market, using all available tools and opportunities. In Jakarta, with the support of the Russian Export Center, companies will present a wide range of products and solutions: from food products to information technologies,” Russian Export Center CEO Veronika Nikishina said.

The Forum will be attended by government, political, and public figures, entrepreneurs, scientists and opinion leaders, and representatives of research organizations and the media from Russia and Indonesia, as well as the EAEU and ASEAN countries.

“Trade and economic relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Indonesia have been steadily intensifying in recent years, which confirms the importance of coordinated actions in all areas of bilateral cooperation. The major Russia-Indonesia Business Forum in Jakarta will provide an excellent opportunity to comprehensively discuss trends and problems and outline new development paths. The significant attention that Indonesian business circles and government agencies are devoting to the event underscores the vast potential for economic cooperation between our countries. We look forward to productive negotiations and the launch of new projects in such key sectors as energy, medicine and pharmaceuticals, transport, information and communication technologies, and metallurgy,” Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Indonesia Alexander Masaltsev said.

Detailed information about participation in the event is available on the Roscongress Foundation website. The Forum is free with prior registration. Registration is available at the link: reg-forum-russia-indonesia.roscongress.org/en/registration.

A new level of engagement: Russia–Iran dialogue to continue at SPIEF 2025

A Russian delegation actively participated in the business programme of the EURASIA Expo international exhibition, which took place in Tehran, Iran. Alexey Valkov, Director of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) and Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation, spoke at a session on the development of trade relations between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). He was also a speaker at the plenary session entitled Opportunities and Challenges: Developing Trade Between Iran and the Russian Federation. The Roscongress Foundation participated in organizing the event under its cooperation agreement with the exhibition’s organizer, Pars Karen.

Andrey Slepnev, Minister of Trade of the Eurasian Economic Commission, emphasized the need for effective cooperation on mutual interests between the EAEU and Iran, both at the intergovernmental level and among business communities in all participating countries.

“That is why we attach great importance to today’s event and are ready to respond promptly to all concerns of the business community. Together with our Iranian colleagues, we will provide all the necessary information to ensure that businesses from the EAEU and Iran can fully leverage the benefits created by the new full-scale Free Trade Agreement,” Slepnev stated.

The session’s moderator, Mir-Hadi Seyedi, Advisor on International Affairs and Trade Agreements at the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran, highlighted the significant role of the Roscongress Foundation in advancing Russia–Iran relations to a new level.

“Tremendous work has been done, and much is planned for the near future. Interaction will continue within the forum track, with the next major joint event being the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Iran will play an active role in this platform,” Seyedi noted.

During the session on trade relations between Iran and the EAEU, Alexey Valkov identified one of the key challenges in Russia–Iran cooperation as the lack of awareness among businesses about the opportunities available in EAEU countries and Iran, as well as the need to strengthen mutual trust.

“We see a strong demand for effective platforms for dialogue and the exchange of experience. This is where congresses and forums play a crucial role. The Roscongress Foundation places great importance on developing relations with Iran, creating communication platforms for discussions on specific areas of mutual interest to expand trade with EAEU partners and to showcase the achievements of Iran and EAEU countries in various sectors,” Valkov stressed.

On the sidelines of the EURASIA Expo, a meeting took place between the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, and Alexey Valkov. Both sides expressed mutual interest in organizing joint events within the SPIEF 2025 programme, scheduled to take place on 18–21 June 2025. One of the key events will be the Russia–Iran national dialogue.

As part of the Roscongress Foundation delegation’s visit to Tehran, Alexey Valkov met with Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad Atabak, and presented him with an official invitation to SPIEF 2025.

Additionally, during the EURASIA Expo, Valkov held meetings with major Iranian financial, investment, and energy companies, including Bank Sepah, Sepahan Oil, Shastan Trading Investment Company, and Persian Gulf. A discussion with Hessameddin Hallaj, Vice-President of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, focused on the participation of Iranian companies in Roscongress projects and the formation of a high-level Iranian business delegation for SPIEF 2025.

The EURASIA Expo attracted around 20,000 participants, including representatives from the private and public sectors of Armenia, Belarus, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. The event featured sessions and specialized panel discussions on topics such as transport development, customs regulations, banking and finance, tourism, healthcare, and the oil and gas industry.

Russia had a strong presence at the EURASIA Expo, with participating companies including VTB Bank, Sberbank, Rosseti, Uralelectro, Element Group of Companies, Sirius Group, Rosgeologiya, Axelot, Transit, and the Moscow Export Center, among others.

Iranian Minister of Mines and Trade Mohammad Atabak received an invitation to SPIEF 2025

The capital of Iran, Tehran, hosted the opening of the EURASIA Expo International Exhibition, which annually brings together key manufacturers and suppliers from various industries. The delegation of the Eurasian Economic Commission at the event is headed by Andrey Slepnev, Member of the Board (Minister) for Trade of the EEC. The Roscongress Foundation participates in the organization of the exhibition under a cooperation agreement between the Foundation and the exhibition organizer, Pars Karen.

The exhibition opened with a ceremony attended by the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian. After the officials had toured the exhibition site, Alexey Valkov, Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation and Director of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, presented an invitation to visit the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum to Mohammad Atabak, Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

“We are always happy to welcome our friends and partners from Iran to Russia. Representatives of the Islamic Republic are frequent guests of our key event, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. I am confident that this year the Iranian delegation will be able to visit the Forum in large numbers, including officials. All conditions will be created for this, and an extensive business programme of bilateral and multilateral formats is being developed,” emphasized Alexey Valkov.

On 22 February, the Roscongress Foundation delegation’s visit to Iran will include a number of meetings with the heads of Iranian companies – potential participants of SPIEF 2025, including Sepahan Oil Company, SHASTAN Investment Company and Persian Gulf Petrochemicals Company. In addition, Alexey Valkov, Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation and Director of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, will speak at the session on the development of trade relations between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union and at the session ‘Opportunities and Challenges, Development of Trade between Iran and Russia’.

A total of about 20,000 people are expected to attend EURASIA Expo. The business programme of the Forum will be attended by representatives of private and state structures of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Kyrgyz Republic. Sessions and specialized panel discussions are planned on a variety of topics, including transport development, customs regulation, foreign exchange and banking, tourism, healthcare and oil and gas.

Russia will be widely represented at the EURASIA Expo International Exhibition. Participating companies include VTB Bank, Sberbank, Rosseti, Uralelectro, Element Group of Companies, Sirius Group, Rosgeologia, Axelot and Transit, as well as Moscow Export and other companies and organizations.

Russia’s main congress and exhibition venues to feature at EURASIA Expo in Tehran

The EURASIA Expo, an annual event that brings together major manufacturers and suppliers from different sectors, will be taking place in the Iranian capital of Tehran from 21 to 24 February 2025, and the Roscongress Foundation will be there to help organize the exhibition as part of a cooperation agreement with the event’s main organizer Pars Karen.

Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation and Director of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum Alexey Valkov will speak at a meeting on the development of trade relations between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union. A meeting is also expected to take place with the Iranian Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade Mohammad Atabak as are negotiations with the heads of Iranian companies about their potential participation in SPIEF 2025.

“We have held a number of bilateral events aimed at strengthening ties with Iran in recent years and look forward to continued Iranian participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and other major congress and exhibition events in Russia. I am sure that 2025 will usher in a new stage of cooperation between Iranian and Russian companies and the EAEU, and we will do all we can to provide them with the very best opportunities the Roscongress Foundation ecosystem has to offer,” Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation and Director of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum Alexey Valkov said.

The Roscongress Foundation will also be acquainting the participants of the EURASIA Expo with its unique ecosystem of forums and discussion platforms: the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF, 18–21 June), the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum (SPILF, 19–21 May), Russian Energy Week (REW, 15–17 October), the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF, 3–6 September), and the ‘Let’s Travel’ International Tourism Forum (10–15 June) among others.

Russia will be well represented at the EURASIA Expo by such companies as VTB Bank, Sberbank, Rosseti, Uralelektro, the Element Group, the Sirius Group, RosGeo, Axelot, and Transit.

The EURASIA Expo is preparing to welcome 20,000 participants from eight countries. The event business programme will be attended by government officials and members of the business community from Iran, Russia, Armenia, Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. The sessions and special panel discussions planned will cover a variety of topics, including the development of the transport sector, customs regulation, foreign currency exchange and banking, tourism, healthcare, and oil and gas. A session on ‘The EAEU, BRICS, and SCO and Regional Economic Cooperation’ is also planned.

Russia–Mexico Business Forum to be held in Mexico City for the first time

The first Russia–Mexico Business Forum is set to be held in Mexico’s capital, Mexico City, on 3 April 2025. The Forum will be a key milestone in strengthening commercial ties between the business communities of Russia and Mexico and will bring together over 150 representatives of medium-sized and large businesses, business associations and government agencies. The organizer of the Russia–Mexico Business Forum will be the Roscongress Foundation, under the Roscongress International brand. The event will be supported by the Trade Mission of the Russian Federation in the United Mexican States and the National Chamber of the Transformation Industry (CANACINTRA), an agreement with which was signed at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in 2024.

“Mexico is one of Russia’s key Latin American partners in both regional and international affairs. On 11 December of this year, Russia and Mexico will mark the 135th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. We are seeing high levels of interest in cooperation with Russia from the Mexican business community and in turn, Russian companies are showing interest in cooperating in the fields of medicine, mineral resource extraction, renewable energy sources, tourism and other areas. The cooperation of individual Mexican states with Russia’s regions is also worthy of attention. All this points to the timely nature of this business forum and means that we can bank on it being a success and playing a role in the continued development of Russian-Mexican relations,” emphasized Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation.

The Business Forum programme will cover the main areas of cooperation between Russia and Mexico. Participants will discuss prospects for collaboration between Russia and Mexico in the fields of trade and investment cooperation, the tech industry (energy, digitalization, ICT, pharmaceuticals), science and culture. The Mexican audience will also have the chance to learn about the Roscongress Foundation’s ecosystem, including its key forums and discussion platforms: the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF, 18–21 June), the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum (SPILF, 19–21 May), Russian Energy Week (REW, 15–17 October), the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF, 3–6 September), the Let’s Travel! International Tourism Forum (10–15 June).

To discuss the practical aspects of Russian-Mexican business cooperation, a webinar will be held on 19 February 2025, organized by the Roscongress Foundation jointly with the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RUIE) and the Trade Mission of the Russian Federation in the United Mexican States. The webinar will highlight details of the upcoming Business Forum and will include a speech by Alexander Abramov, Russia’s Trade Representative in Mexico, on specific features of doing business in Mexico.

The Russia–Mexico Business Forum will help promote Russia’s business and investment potential in Mexico, and the Russian-Mexican business dialogue will continue as part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, to be held on 18–21 June.

Additional information on the Russia–Mexico Business Forum will be available on the Roscongress Foundation website.

The Roscongress Foundation took part in the roundtable ‘Russia–China: Geopolitical Partnership and Interaction of Cultural Phenomena’

The round table ‘Russia–China: Geopolitical Partnership and Interaction of Cultural Phenomena’ was held in Moscow, focusing on the development of partnership between Russia and China through the promotion of the ancient Chinese martial art of Taijiquan. The event was attended by Alexandra Ogneva, Deputy CEO, Head of the International and Regional Cooperation Directorate of the Roscongress Foundation.

Participants in the discussion included Andrei Denisov, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs and former Russian Ambassador to China; Kirill Babaev, Director of the Institute of China and Modern Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Alexei Maslov, Director of the Institute of Asian and African Countries at Lomonosov Moscow State University; Kirill Barsky, Head of the Department of Diplomacy at MGIMO of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Feng Litao, Minister Counsellor for Culture of the Chinese Embassy in Russia, Director of the Chinese Cultural Centre in Moscow; and Dmitry Petrovsky, art director of the Yang Family Taijiquan Classical School ‘White Crow’, member of the Commission for Cultural and Humanitarian Cooperation of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society.

“Today, the interaction of the two cultures is very active. Russian society has always had a great interest in its Chinese neighbour and Chinese culture, which has never depended on political twists and turns. Our countries have a very impressive mutual ‘soft power’ – the ability to build relations through cooperation in cultural and humanitarian fields, building long-term partnerships with respect and interest in each other’s traditions,” noted Andrei Denisov, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs and former Russian Ambassador to China.

The participants discussed the prospects of cultural exchange and strengthening ties between the two countries through the promotion of the ancient Chinese practice of Taijiquan, its popularity among leaders of the world business community, the establishment of the Society for the Study of Traditional Taijiquan in Russia, as well as the book ‘Theoretical Foundations of Taijiquan’, which is being published in Russian. Robert Amacker’s work is devoted to the philosophy, principles and cultural foundations of the ancient Chinese martial art. The book was first presented at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok in 2024.

“The ancient Chinese art of fighting based on the principle of the Great Limit – Tai Chi – is a unique gift of the Chinese civilization to the world. Taijiquan in its basis is a method of communication training, the purpose of which is not so much to destroy the opponent, as to enter into such interaction with them, which will make it impossible for him to fulfil their aggression and will allow to reach full mutual understanding. It is for this reason that this art is widely demanded by representatives of business and political elites. Robert Amacker’s book devoted to this martial art creates completely unexpected angles for the perception of the whole complex of Chinese culture. And, strangely enough, it can serve as a means of additional attention to one’s own national culture, opening up opportunities for mutual penetration of the meanings and cultural codes of the two countries,” emphasized Dmitry Petrovsky, art director of the Yang Family Taijiquan Classical School ‘White Crow’, member of the Commission for Cultural and Humanitarian Cooperation of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society.

Last year, Russia and China celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. For many years, the countries, which have a rich history of friendly ties, have been expanding and deepening exchanges and cooperation in politics, economics and the humanitarian sphere. Thus, by decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the years 2024–2025 have been declared the Years of Culture between Russia and China. The ‘cross-cultural’ years were opened by the leaders of Russia and China in Beijing in May 2024.

The Roscongress Foundation as a development institution creates an ecosystem of thematic tracks and events and actively promotes the strengthening of international ties in various areas from economics and politics to humanitarian cooperation, culture and sports. In implementing Roscongress Foundation projects, great importance is attached directly to the comprehensive development of Russian-Chinese relations. 

“In 2024, the Roscongress Foundation held a series of events that showed great interest in deepening Russian-Chinese cooperation, including in the cultural and humanitarian sphere. In 2025, under the Roscongress International brand, the work on deepening Russian-Chinese cooperation will continue on business platforms both in Russia and abroad: in the first half of this year, the Foundation will support a session at the Asian Forum in Boao and take part in the Russian-Chinese Business Forum in Xi'an. Traditionally, the Russia–China dialogue will continue at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum (SPILF), the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), the EEF and the Russian Energy Forum (REW),” noted Alexandra Ogneva, Deputy CEO, Head of the International and Regional Cooperation Directorate of the Roscongress Foundation.

Alexandra Ogneva also outlined the expediency of presenting taijiquan philosophy to the Russian audience on the Foundation’s platforms. In particular, it was suggested to talk about this martial art as a way to prolong youth and longevity at the Healthy Society Forum, as well as to include taijiquan master classes in the SPIEF sports programme. This will make it possible to help Forum participants learn more about China’s cultural heritage and promote further development of humanitarian cooperation between the two countries.

The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War. More than 170 events, including those of an international nature, are planned for this significant date as part of Russia’s approved plan of events. The Roscongress Foundation acts as an information partner of the Organizing Committee for the celebration of the Great Victory in the global anti-fascist fight.

Participants from 40 countries were brought together in Ras Al Khaimah for the Verona Eurasian Economic Forum

The XVII Verona Eurasian Economic Forum in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE has concluded, bringing together approximately 1,000 participants from 40 countries. Held under the motto “The Art of Innovation”, the Forum addressed various aspects of advancing the economic prosperity of Greater Eurasia.

The Forum was organized by the Italian non-profit association Conoscere Eurasia in collaboration with the Roscongress Foundation and the UAE Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“As noted by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his message to the event participants, the theme of this year’s Forum was A New Architecture of Cooperation for the Modern Economy, which ‘fully reflects the growing need to reform the system of international economic relations in the interests of the Global Majority’. The Verona Eurasian Economic Forum today serves as an example of how these ideas can be implemented through open discussions, strengthening international ties, and seeking fair solutions for the global economy,” emphasized Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation.

The event welcomed political and public figures, experts, and representatives of businesses and financial institutions.

One of the Forum’s key outcomes was the emphasis on mutual understanding and openness. In his closing speech, Antonio Fallico, head of the association Conoscere Eurasia, remarked:

“Economic diplomacy can create cooperation in all areas, which, in turn, contributes to prosperity and well-being, as well as to a more equitable and balanced development of society. The support of the Ras Al Khaimah authorities and the hospitality of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi played a significant role in the success of the event, making it comfortable and productive for all guests. I hope that the experience we gained in Ras Al Khaimah will allow us to move forward and organize next year’s Forum to be even more open, fruitful, and welcoming for everyone.”

The Forum’s speakers included His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah; Romano Prodi, President of the Foundation for Worldwide Cooperation and former European Commission President (1999–2004) and Italian Prime Minister (1996–1998, 2006–2008); Mikhail Shvydkoy, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation; Vito Rosario Petrocelli, President of the Istituto Italia-BRICS; Aleksandar Vulin, Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia; Sergey Cheremin, Minister and Head of the Moscow Government Department for External Economic and International Relations; Andrey Belyaninov, General Director of the Eurasian Rating Agency and Secretary General of the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly; Vladimir Chizhov, Senator of the Russian Federation and First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security, among others.

A key focus of the Forum was on economic diplomacy as a tool for creating a fairer and more productive society. Participants agreed that harmony and freedom form the foundation for building promising relationships and a sustainable global order.

The organizers expressed hope for continuing the dialogue in the coming year. Antonio Fallico also invited participants to continue discussions at upcoming Roscongress Foundation’s events, including the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg (18–21 June), the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok (3–6 September), and the Russian Energy Week in Moscow (15–17 October).

The first Russia–Africa roundtable held at the African Energy Week in Cape Town

The Russia–Africa roundtable was organized for the first time during the African Energy Week in Cape Town, which runs until 8 November. The Roscongress Foundation is a strategic partner of AEW 2024. The roundtable was attended by Roman Marshavin, Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Khandoga, Head of International Business Department of PJSC Gazprom, and representatives of a number of Russian and African companies. The panel discussion was moderated by NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Roman Marshavin, who is leading the Russian delegation in Cape Town, said that Russia is interested in working closely with African countries, including cooperation in the energy sector. ‘Russia has vast experience in creating energy facilities. In Africa we are ready to offer projects primarily in the gas industry, nuclear power and hydropower. In addition to the oil and gas sector, the Ministry of Energy sees promising joint projects in the field of renewable energy, modernization and construction of grid infrastructure, as well as cooperation in the field of digital technologies in the fuel and energy sector,’ Roman Marshavin said.

One of such projects, which is already underway, was presented by Dmitry Khandoga, Head of International Business Department of PJSC Gazprom. This is a pilot project for the supply of two mobile vehicle gas fueling trucks to Tanzania. They are designed for fueling various vehicles with compressed natural gas as well as for its transportation. This will increase the number of daily fueling operations in the Tanzanian NGV market.

In addition, these machines can be used for autonomous gasification of industrial and domestic consumers. ‘The Global South in general and the African continent in particular will be a new growth point for natural gas consumption. Population growth and urbanization dictate the need for access to a reliable and environmentally friendly energy source, e.g. natural gas. Gazprom's experience in developing the domestic gas market, our competences, technologies and equipment may be in demand for solving energy supply tasks in African countries,’ said Dmitry Khandoga, Head of Gazprom's International Business Department. ‘The successful work with our partners in Tanzania to solve the problem of gas motor fuel supply to transport can serve as a model of business cooperation in the interests of the entire society,’ he added.

After the end of the event, Alexander Stuglev, Chairman and CEO of the Roscongress Foundation, emphasized that the roundtable participants noted the importance of holding such a session next year as well. ‘Face-to-face dialogue between energy industry specialists and companies from African countries is very important, it shows mutual keen interest in joint work. The roundtable held on the platform of the African Energy Week demonstrated this. We welcome our African partners to the congress and exhibition venues of the Roscongress Foundation in Russia and other countries, where there is always room for dialogue between Russia and Africa. Cooperation with the countries of the African continent is now one of our common priorities,’ said Alexander Stuglev.

The Russia–Africa roundtable continued the dialogue between Russia and African countries, whose prospects for cooperation were actively discussed at the BRICS Summit held in Kazan. The dialogue between Russia and African countries will continue during the First Ministerial Conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum, which will be held on 9–10 November 2024 at the federal territory of Sirius. The event will bring together the heads of foreign ministries of the Russian Federation and the continent's states, the African Union Commission, as well as the executive bodies of regional integration associations.

The motto of the African Energy Week is ‘Invest in African Energies’. The Forum is attended by officials from 22 African countries, over 1,000 oil and gas industry workers, businessmen, analysts and public figures. Russia is represented at the event by Rosatom, Gazprom and the Roscongress Foundation.