Russia and Africa Set to Strengthen Cooperation in Trade and Environmental Protection

Russia and African countries have agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, environmental protection and sustainable development, marking a new phase in their strategic partnership. The decision was announced following the second ministerial conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum, held in Cairo, the first time the event has taken place on African soil, TV BRICS reported.

The meeting brought together foreign ministers and senior officials from more than 50 African states, alongside representatives of regional integration bodies. Participants adopted a joint action plan covering the 2026–2029 period, aimed at expanding economic ties while addressing shared environmental and climate challenges.

Trade cooperation was identified as a central pillar of the renewed partnership. The action plan focuses on boosting bilateral and multilateral trade, supporting joint investment projects, improving logistics links and encouraging cooperation in key sectors such as energy, agriculture, industry and raw materials. Both sides stressed the importance of creating more resilient supply chains and increasing value-added production.

Environmental protection and climate issues featured prominently in the discussions. Russia and African partners agreed to enhance collaboration on environmental sustainability, including biodiversity protection, climate adaptation, water resource management and the exchange of green technologies. Officials highlighted the need for balanced approaches that support economic growth while preserving natural resources.

Speaking at the conference, Sergey Lavrov said the forum had laid a solid foundation for the next stage of Russia–Africa relations. He noted that the agreements reached would contribute to long-term stability, development and mutual benefit, while also preparing the ground for the third Russia–Africa Summit scheduled for 2026.

Beyond trade and the environment, the adopted plan also covers cooperation in education, healthcare, culture, sports, youth policy and media exchanges. Participants underlined the role of people-to-people contacts in strengthening trust and deepening understanding between Russia and African societies.

The conference concluded with a joint statement outlining shared approaches to global challenges and reaffirming the commitment of both sides to multilateral cooperation. Observers say the outcomes reflect Russia’s broader strategy to expand its engagement with Africa through long-term partnerships focused on development, sustainability and economic growth.