President Vladimir Putin and African Union chair Evariste Ndayishimiye have called for deeper economic ties and global reforms following the adoption of a joint declaration<\/p>\n
Russia and African countries have agreed to deepen economic cooperation, strengthen political coordination, and push for reforms of global institutions, Russian President Vladimir Putin and African Union chair Evariste Ndayishimiye said in a joint press statement on Thursday.
\nSpeaking at the conclusion of the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, the two leaders outlined the results of the October 28\u201329 gathering, which brought together senior delegations from 48 African countries, including 21 led by heads of state.<\/p>\n
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The gathering resulted in the adoption of three documents: the Declaration of the 3rd Russia-Africa Summit, the Declaration of Cooperation in the Civilian Application of Artificial Intelligence Technologies, and the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Action Plan for 2027\u20132029.
\nTurning political solidarity into economic cooperation
\nNdayishimiye said African countries are seeking to diversify their international partnerships and strengthen their sovereignty, with Russia playing a role in accelerating economic development and regional integration.
\nSpeaking about the summit\u2019s three-year action plan, he said that the leaders \u201coutlined priorities, financing mechanisms, implementation schedules and areas of responsibility, and set dates by which expect to see results.\u201d<\/p>\n
President of Burundi and Chairperson of the African Union Evariste Ndayishimiye delivers a statement for the media<\/p>\n
\u00a9\u00a0 Sergey Bobylev \/ Sputnik \/ Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian forum host \u0440hoto agency <\/p>\n
The African Union chair called for greater Russian investment to help African countries create added value locally. He also stressed that African youth expected tangible results, including more scholarships, reliable energy supplies, and digital solutions.<\/p>\n
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Expanding trade and financial independence
\nPutin said Russia-Africa trade currently stood at $27 billion but remained well below its potential, and called to double it.
\nThe Russian president noted national currencies, including the ruble, now accounted for 85% of settlements in commercial transactions between Russia and African countries.
\nReducing technological dependence
\nNdayishimiye called for reducing Africa\u2019s technological dependence. He stressed the summit had adopted a separate declaration on artificial intelligence, advocating equitable international cooperation with a central role for the United Nations.
\nPutin said Russia and African countries had signed agreements aimed at introducing Russian digital solutions, including AI-based technologies, in African economies and public administration.
\nAfrica must choose its own partners
\nAsked whether Africa risked becoming an arena for competition between major powers, Putin rejected the suggestion that Moscow viewed African countries as objects of geopolitical rivalry.<\/p>\n
Plenary session of the 3rd Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow.<\/p>\n
\u00a9\u00a0 Yuri Kochetkov \/ Sputnik \/ Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian forum host \u0440hoto agency <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have not pursued any colonial policies. It is the opposite: we helped them to liberate themselves from the neo-colonial yoke,\u201d he stated.
\nNdayishimiye similarly stressed that African nations were no longer in a position where outside powers could determine their partnerships.<\/p>\n
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Reforming global institutions
\nPutin backed permanent African representation on the UN Security Council. \u201cI am absolutely convinced that Africa must be represented there on a permanent basis, including in the Security Council,\u201d he said.
\nNdayishimiye reaffirmed Africa\u2019s position on UN reform, while calling for greater representation in global financial institutions and closer cooperation with BRICS.
\nStrengthening security and humanitarian cooperation
\nPutin said Russia would continue consultations with parties involved in African conflicts and expressed hope that Moscow\u2019s diplomatic efforts could help prevent further escalation.
\nHe also pledged to expand cooperation in healthcare and education, including medicine supplies, mobile laboratories, and training for African students.
\nRussia\u2019s epidemic-control assistance program for African countries has been extended through 2029, Putin said, adding that African partners supported expanding Russian university branches and educational centers on the continent.
\nMoscow Declaration sets out common political positions
\nThe 101-point declaration, adopted in Moscow on October 29, is divided into five sections covering political and legal cooperation, security, economic ties, humanitarian cooperation, and environmental protection and climate issues. Here are its key points.<\/p>\n
Maritime security: Oppose the unjustified detention, seizure or arrest of civilian vessels, including African-flagged ships, in violation of international law. The document warns that such actions against commercial vessels turn maritime trade into \u201ca tool of economic and political pressure.\u201d
\nSanctions: Oppose unilateral coercive measures that violate international law, including measures imposed outside the UN Security Council, and strengthen coordination to reduce their impact on trade, energy, healthcare and food security.
\nSovereign assets: Oppose the freezing and attempted confiscation of sovereign assets, as well as political and economic coercion against sovereign states.
\nColonial reparations: Pursue legal mechanisms to assess and compensate for damage inflicted on African countries during the colonial era, alongside efforts to complete the continent\u2019s decolonization.<\/p>\n
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International justice: Counter the politicization and misuse of international criminal justice mechanisms, including their use to exert neocolonial pressure on African states, and strengthen cooperation to ensure the independence and impartiality of international courts.
\nUN reform: Work toward reforming the Security Council to increase African representation, taking into account the continent\u2019s common position under the Ezulwini Consensus and the 2005 Sirte Declaration.
\nCounterterrorism: Strengthen cooperation against terrorist groups\u2019 use of drones, encrypted platforms, and digital finance, while also addressing terrorist financing, organized crime, and maritime piracy.
\nArms control: Oppose the politicization of international arms control, disarmament, and nuclear nonproliferation mechanisms, and support compliance with existing treaties governing nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.
\nIMF and World Bank: Push for reforms to give African countries greater representation in the leadership of both institutions and more influence over decision-making.
\nG20: Call for South Africa\u2019s full and active participation in the group to be restored as soon as possible, while strengthening the voice of African countries and the wider Global South.<\/p>\n
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Cultural heritage: Support the return of cultural objects and historical artifacts removed from African countries during colonial rule, alongside efforts to protect cultural heritage from illicit trafficking.
\nSpace cooperation: Expand cooperation in peaceful space exploration, satellite communications, Earth observation, and joint research, including spacecraft technologies and equipment.
\nTrade and infrastructure: Expand cooperation in precious metals, strengthen industrial value chains, and develop maritime, river, road, rail, and aviation infrastructure. Remove trade barriers, increase African exports of value-added products and establish reliable financial settlement mechanisms to support trade and investment.
\nEnergy cooperation: Expand cooperation across oil and gas, nuclear, hydropower, hydrogen, and renewable energy to strengthen energy security and improve access to electricity.
\nEducation and healthcare: Expand academic exchanges, Russian-language education and joint research, while strengthening healthcare systems through medical training, laboratory development, and epidemic preparedness.
\nMedia cooperation: Strengthen ties between Russian and African media through the opening of representative offices, journalist training, information exchanges, and joint media projects.
\nClimate policy: Oppose discriminatory protectionist measures introduced under the pretext of combating climate change, while expanding cooperation on climate adaptation and environmental projects that take national priorities into account.<\/p>\n
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Sovereignty: Counter neocolonial practices that undermine states\u2019 independence, restrict their decision-making, or facilitate the exploitation of natural resources, while upholding countries\u2019 right to determine their own development paths.
\nConflict resolution: Support African-led efforts to resolve and prevent conflicts on the continent, guided by the principle of \u201cAfrican solutions to African problems.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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