✍️ Article 'BRICS and ASEAN: Focus on Food Security and Global Cooperation' by the Ambassador of Russia to Singapore Nikolay Kudashev (August 27, 2024)

🗓 The ASEAN+BRICS Roundtable on Sustainable Trade for Global Food Security, hosted by the Diplomatic Network (Asia) on August 14, 2024, underscored the increasing focus within Southeast Asia and Singapore on fostering collaboration with #BRICS states and their institutional frameworks.

The deliberations centered on refining global governance and sustainable trade practices to enhance and safeguard food security, ensuring the fulfillment of the fundamental human right to adequate nutrition in the contemporary world.

The roundtable convened prominent business leaders alongside ambassadors from BRICS and ASEAN member states, engaging in three interactive panels dedicated to formulating global strategies for sustainable trade and food security.

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The event, the Russian Embassy in Singapore took part in, emphasized the pivotal role that BRICS nations play in fortifying food security and ensuring the resilience of supply chains. These countries possess more than 30% of the world’s agricultural land and occupy a prominent position in the global agricultural market, thanks to the diverse environmental, demographic, and socio-economic conditions within their borders, which foster a wide range of agricultural products.

In 2022, Russia initiated the adoption of the BRICS Strategy on Food Security Cooperation. Looking ahead, BRICS anticipates the implementation of a new four-year plan for Agricultural Cooperation under Brazil’s chairmanship in the coming year. Additionally, Russia has proposed the establishment of a grain trading platform within BRICS — the BRICS Grain Exchange — as a critical mechanism for bolstering food security.

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The foundation of BRICS cooperation is built on principles of equality, mutual respect, openness, and the pursuit of a balanced alignment of interests.

The cooperation within BRICS is anchored on three primary pillars:

• policy and security,
• economy and finance,
• people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

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📈 BRICS countries now constitute 45% of the world’s population (3.6 billion people), account for over 40% of global oil production, and generate approximately a quarter of the world’s goods exports.

According to the International Monetary Fund’s estimates from last year, the combined GDP of the five founding BRICS nations reached $58.9 trillion, representing 33% of global GDP. This figure surpasses the GDP of the G7 by $5 trillion, as the G7 accounts for only 30% of the global GDP.

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As of January 1, 2024, Russia, having prioritized BRICS cooperation within its long-term foreign policy framework, assumed the BRICS chairmanship under the banner of “Strengthening Multilateralism for Equitable Global Development and Security.” This approach aligns with Russia’s fundamental national interests and complements its strategic objective of fostering a fair multipolar world order, while ensuring equitable opportunities for all nations to develop.

🇷🇺 In the context of the Russian chairmanship, over 200 events of varying scales and formats are scheduled across multiple cities in Russia.

The BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Nizhny Novgorod in June 2024 addressed a broad spectrum of issues, ranging from trade, economic development, and climate change to contemporary geopolitical conflicts, including those in the Middle East, Africa, and concerns in Afghanistan and Haiti.

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The BRICS Summit, scheduled to take place in Kazan on October 22-24, will serve as the cornerstone event of Russia’s BRICS presidency. We anticipate that representatives from all nations interested in advancing cooperation within BRICS will accord significant attention to this summit. Undoubtedly, it is poised to make a substantial contribution to the discourse on addressing the challenges and threats of our time, while also devising collective solutions to global issues and development objectives.

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#BRICS2024

🇻🇳 On September 2, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam celebrates Independence Day.

Since mid-19th century, Vietnam was under French colonial rule and was later occupied by militaristic Japan during World War II. The victory of the August Revolution in 1945 ended foreign domination and established Vietnam as an independent state.

#OnThisDay 79 years ago, President Ho Chi Minh declared the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in Ba Dinh Square in the capital.

The Soviet Union was among the first countries to recognize the new Vietnamese state, establishing diplomatic relations on January 30, 1950. This pivotal recognition laid the groundwork for many years of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between our nations.

The people of Vietnam had to fight for their freedom for many years, initially during the Resistance War from 1946 to 1954, and later in the struggle against foreign aggression led by the USA, which was marked by egregious war crimes against civilians. Throughout these challenging times, the Soviet Union stood by the Vietnamese people, offering them unwavering support.

✊ In 1975, this valiant struggle culminated in the reunification of the country and the establishment of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Today, Vietnam is a rapidly developing state and an active participant in both regional and international organizations.

🤝 Modern-day Russia-Vietnam relations are built on a foundation of enduring friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation, characterized by a comprehensive strategic partnership. We have a robust political dialogue, and our trade, economic, technological, and cultural and humanitarian ties are steadily growing. Political contacts and negotiations at high and the highest levels occur regularly.

🎉 We extend our heartfelt congratulations to our Vietnamese colleagues and friends on their national holiday! We wish them peace, prosperity, and success.

#RussiaVietnam

#Announcement

🗓 The Eastern Economic Forum 2024 (#EEF) will be held in Vladivostok on September 3-6, 2024, under the auspices of the Roscongress Foundation. The main theme of the Forum is “The Far East 2030: Joining Efforts, Creating Opportunities”.

The participants will be presented with the following discussion and thematic blocks:

▫️ “New Contours of International Cooperation”
▫️ “The Russian Far East
▫️ People, Education and Patriotism”
▫️ “Technologies to Ensure Independence”
▫️ “Financial Value System”
▫️ “Master Plans: from Architecture to Economy”
▫️ “Transport and Logistics: New Routes”

The EEF is a leading platform for developing the economy of the Far East and expanding international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region. In 2023, over 7,000 representatives of official, expert and business circles from 62 countries of the Asia-Pacific Region and other regions of the world took part in the Forum, and 373 agreements worth 3.8 trillion roubles were signed.

Representatives of the Russian MFA are to participate in a number of EEF sessions, including those on:

• infectious disease control
• youth policy
• support for indigenous minorities
• information security
• climate
• the formation of a multipolar world
• as well as in the APEC conference

Traditionally, a number of events will be held on the sidelines of the EEF with the participation of the Department of Information and Press of the Russian Foreign Ministry. A panel discussion will be organised by the Mezhdunarodnaya Zhizn (International Life) magazine on "Eurasian Space: Civilisational and Geopolitical Challenges and Prospects", and a session will be held on new ICTs in international relations.

💬 President of Russia Vladimir Putin (August 27, 2024):

Over the years, the Forum has contributed significantly to the development of constructive economic ties between our country and other states in the Asia Pacific Region. A direct, informal communication that occurs here between Russian entrepreneurs and their foreign counterparts, government agencies, social organisations, and the expert community makes it possible for us to discuss many topical issues on the regional agenda and develop beneficial projects together.

🇷🇺🇲🇳 President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President if Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh took part in the celebrations marking the 85th anniversary of the joint victory of Soviet and Mongolian armed forces over the Japanese militarists on the river Khalkhin Gol.

The two Leaders laid a wreath at the monument to Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgy Zhukov at the Georgy Zhukov Memorial Complex in Ulaanbaatar.

ℹ️ In 1939, Georgy Zhukov was awarded the first golden star of the Hero of the Soviet Union for the operation on the Khalkhin Gol river, which resulted in victory of the Soviet-Mongolian forces over the Japanese Kwantung Army. In 1969, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Mongolian People’s Republic.

The Memorial Complex includes a museum and a monument. It was opened in 1979 to mark the 40th anniversary of the Khalkhin Gol victory, at a site where in 1939–1940 the residence of Georgy Zhukov was located.

Presidents Putin and Khurelsukh talked briefly with a Khalkhin Gol war veteran and search party members and participants in the 6th “Memory is Stronger than Time” youth expedition.

#RussiaMongolia

🇷🇺🇲🇳 Statement by President of Russia Vladimir Putin following bilateral talks with President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh (Ulaanbaatar, September 3, 2024).

💬 I am convinced that our military brotherhood forged during the grim years of ordeals, as well as long-time traditions of neighbourliness and mutual assistance, will continue to serve as a solid foundation for the friendly Russian-Mongolian relations.

These relations are developing dynamically and becoming stronger in full conformity with the Interstate Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, signed here, in Ulaanbaatar, exactly five years ago. <...>

📈 Both countries paid great attention to fostering mutually beneficial trade and investment ties. Russia is one of Mongolia’s largest foreign economic partners. In the first seven months of 2024, trade between Russia and Mongolia grew by over 21%. It is notable that trade settlements between our two countries are almost entirely denominated in currencies other than the US dollar and the euro. <...>

Russia has long been a reliable supplier of energy resources for the Mongolian economy. Over 90% of petrol and diesel used by Mongolia in 2023 was imported from Russia. <...>

There are good prospects for our cooperation in the gas sector. We have completed the design documentation for the Soyuz Vostok gas pipeline extension, which will run for nearly 1,000 kilometres through Russia, Mongolia and China. The project is at the stage of state expert appraisal and assessment of its potential environmental footprint. <...>

Of course, it is important to us that Mongolians love and learn the Russian language. Over the decades, Mongolia has established a good teaching system that opens up broad opportunities for studying, expanding business, academic and cultural links between our countries. Russia will continue to support the teaching of the Russian language in Mongolia, including in its border regions. <...>

🌐 As we covered the international agenda, we reaffirmed that Russia and Mongolia have similar views on many topical global issues. Our cooperation programme continues.

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#RussiaMongolia

🇷🇺🇨🇳 President of Russia Vladimir Putin met with Vice President of the People's Republic of China Han Zheng at the Far Eastern Federal University.

💬 President Putin: In October 2024, we will mark 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. That event had a profound impact on our bilateral relations and on development of modern China and our interstate ties.

As per our agreement, we hope to see President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping at the upcoming BRICS summit. I propose holding a bilateral meeting during that event.

Thanks to our joint efforts, relations between China and Russia have reached an unprecedented level. We attach great importance to interregional cooperation. I hope that during our meeting today and our work at the Eastern Economic Forum tomorrow, we will have the opportunity to explore and identify new areas for cooperation.

We are grateful to the President of the People’s Republic of China for sending such a substantial delegation to this forum. I would like to thank you for leading this delegation and for taking part in our joint work.

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We are establishing subsidiaries of Russia’s leading world-class museums, theatres and musical venues here. I know that some performers who are popular with Chinese audiences have visited China many times, and have recently been on another tour. I hope that Vladivostok will also become a prominent hub for cultural exchanges and attract tourists from Russia, from all over the world and especially from China, which is our friend.

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#RussiaChina

🇷🇺🇲🇾 President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim met on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum.

💬 President Putin: Mr. Prime Minister, I would like to begin by thanking you for accepting our invitation to come here and attend the Eastern Economic Forum. Tomorrow, we will take part in its plenary session, and I am certain that this will be a useful event for discussing our objectives in bringing the regional economies closer together. In fact, we have many guests here from dozens of countries, which means that you will be able to engage in useful contacts not only with your Russian colleagues, but also with colleagues from other countries.

Of course, I do hope that we will have an opportunity to explore ways to expand our cooperation as part of these efforts. Today, trade between our countries amounts to about $3.5 billion, which can hardly be considered a satisfactory result for us considering the potential we have. In fact, there are many opportunities on both sides.

As you know, Russia pays considerable attention to developing its relations with Southeast Asia and ASEAN. Malaysia plays a prominent role in this association, and will be assuming the chairmanship of ASEAN next year. We sincerely hope that during your chairmanship, we will be able to explore new opportunities for cooperation with this rapidly growing and promising region.

🎊 To conclude my opening remarks, I would like to congratulate you and the Malaysian leadership, as well as the entire nation on Independence Day, the national holiday you have celebrated recently. As far as I know, it is observed on August 31. I would like to use this opportunity to wish the people of Malaysia all the best, prosperity and wellbeing.

#RussiaMalaysia