The second Russia—Africa Ministerial Conference has ended in Cairo

On December 19-20, the second ministerial conference of the Russia—Africa Partnership Forum was held in Cairo, the capital of Egypt. The meeting in this format, which took place for the first time on the African continent, was attended by the heads and representatives of the foreign ministries of 52 African States and the executive bodies of 8 regional integration associations. The Roscongress Foundation acted as the operator of the conference from the Russian side.

The main event was a plenary session co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigration of Egypt B Adra Abdelati. Welcoming messages from President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah Sisi were read out.

Summing up the conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted the common vision of a more just world order for our countries – "free from dictates and double standards" based on respect for international law and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. "We advocate for ensuring a more equitable representation of Africans in the global decision–making system, including in the UN Security Council," the Foreign minister stressed.

The conference participants conducted a reconciliation of hours on the most pressing issues on the international and Russian-African agendas, with an emphasis on the full implementation of the Action Plan of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum for 2023-2026, approved at the second Russia–Africa Summit in St. Petersburg in 2023. Special attention was paid to the development of relations in the trade, economic and investment spheres, and the discussion of promising areas for further cooperation.

"Back in 2019, when the Russia–Africa Summit and Economic Forum were held for the first time on the federal territory of Sirius and brought together official representatives from all 54 African countries, 45 of which were represented by heads of state and government, it was decided that meetings in this format would be regular and held every three years." – said Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation, Executive Secretary of the Organizing Committee for the Preparation and holding of events within the framework of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum. "The Russian President pays special attention to the countries of the African continent, deepening the strategic partnership between us, developing economic and humanitarian ties, and helping to strengthen the sovereignty of African countries and their security. The directions of cooperation between Russia and African countries were set by the decisions of the 2019 and 2023 summits, and the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum was established for their effective implementation. Last year, for the first time, a ministerial conference was held within the framework of this Forum, and we see that this format is particularly relevant. The results of the second conference in Cairo showed that our country and our partners on the African continent are jointly building an equal, mutually beneficial and future–oriented partnership not for years, but for decades to come," he added.

Following the results of the second ministerial conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum, a joint statement was adopted reflecting common approaches to solving global problems and a mutual commitment to strengthening multifaceted cooperation with a view to high-quality preparations for the Russia–Africa Summit in 2026.

Sergey Lavrov held talks with his African colleagues on the sidelines of the conference, and a number of bilateral documents were signed. A thematic event was held with the participation of Russian and African relevant departments and organizations aimed at unlocking the potential of Russia–Egypt–Africa trilateral cooperation in 2026 in the trade, economic and educational spheres, which became a visiting session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The dialogue "Strengthening Trilateral Cooperation" was organized by the International Platform of the Roscongress Foundation Roscongress International and became part of a preliminary event on the sidelines of the second ministerial conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum along with a presentation by the Egyptian Agency for Partnership for Development (EAPD).

In honor of the conference, a solemn concert was held with the participation of Egyptian and Russian artists, which became another proof of friendship and mutual understanding between Russia and Egypt, as well as all the countries of the African continent.

Russia and Egypt have accumulated a wealth of successful cooperation experience, which has proved that common goals unite stronger than any obstacles. The second Russia–Africa Ministerial Conference in Cairo will provide an impetus for the implementation of long-term plans, strengthen the positions of Russian and African businesses in the global market and ensure a common contribution to the prosperity of the peoples.