1st African-Russian Summit Kicks Off in Sochi

The first African-Russian summit kicks off, Wednesday in Sochi, Russia under the slogan of “Russia and Africa: Uncovering the Potential for Cooperation”.

The three-day summit will be co-chaired by Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

It is scheduled that both presidents will deliver a speech before the summit.

Sochi-A historic summit

This is the first event of this level in the history of Russian-African relations.

The idea to hold a Russia-Africa forum was initiated by President Putin at the BRICS (Brazil، Russia، India، China and South Africa) summit in Johannesburg in July 2018.

This first Russia-Africa summit will definitely enhance mutual multifaceted ties، reshape diplomatic relationships and significantly to roll-out ways to increase the effectiveness of cooperation between Russia and Africa.

Sochi’s summit promises to be exceptional as Africa renewed confidence in Russia’s constructive leadership. African countries seek strategic partnerships and vow to enhance cooperation to new levels.

The participants

The summit will be attended by around 43 African leaders, and a number of major African regional organizations including; “African Union”, “East African Community”, “Economic Community of Central African states”, and “Arab Maghreb Union”.

Moreover, about 300 businessmen from Egypt and Russia will attend the economic forum set to be held on the sidelines of the summit.

The summit agenda

The summit will tackle many key topics like, strengthening Russia’s role in Africa, Africa’s role in the international financial system, expanding cooperation, exports, investment, and the security challenges.

The plenary sessions will discuss a wide range of issues on the international agenda.

Additionally, the participants will discuss prospects of Russian-African cooperation in fields of investment, industry and trade, housing, science and technology, education, media, infrastructure, nuclear technology, and others.

Sisi’s intensive schedule in Russia                                                                   

It is scheduled that, Sisi will hold a meeting with Putin to discuss ways of bolstering bilateral ties between both countries in various fields.

This meeting comes within the framework of the comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation agreement signed between the two countries, as well as the close relations between Egypt and Russia, in addition to their keenness to strengthen bilateral cooperation and continue intensive consultation on issues of common interest.

The president will also hold a series of meetings with African leaders participating in Russia-Africa summit, in addition to his participation in Russia-Africa economic forum; it will focus on a number of factors for the development of trade cooperation and economic ties between the Russian Federation and the African continent.