Under the theme ‘Russia, Brazil, and Africa’, Strengthening Cooperation Between Global South Countries’ Lomonosov Moscow State University (LMSU) hosted an international conference aimed at fostering deeper partnerships in business, education, politics, and culture. The event brought together leaders, experts, and academics from Russia, Brazil, Africa, and beyond, underscoring the potential of Global South nations to drive transformative collaboration in a multipolar world.
The conference, held at LMSU’s Faculty of Global Studies, featured simultaneous translation in Russian, English, and Portuguese, ensuring inclusive dialogue. It was jointly organized by LMSU, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, and the Russian-African Network University, with support from key co-organizers, including the Russian-African Club and the Russian-Latin American Studies International Club.
Prominent Leaders Set the Stage
The opening ceremony featured welcome addresses from distinguished figures, including Professor Ilya V. Ilyin, Dean of the Faculty of Global Studies at LMSU, and Professor Roberto de Andrade Medronho, President of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Speakers highlighted the importance of cross-regional collaboration in addressing global challenges.
Prominent contributors such as Professor Hisham Mohamed Abdelsalam of the Egyptian e-Learning University and Dr. Richard Silumbe of the Zambia Research and Development Centre underscored the pivotal role of academic and research cooperation in fostering sustainable development.
Dr. Inga A. Koryagina, Director of International Cooperation of the Russian-African Club and Associate Professor of Marketing at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, described the Russian-African Club as “a crucial platform for international cooperation, empowering diverse nations to create sustainable solutions and expand mutual understanding.”
Exploring Global South Opportunities
The plenary session, moderated by Maxim N. Zalyvskiy, Head of the Russian-African Network University, and Dr. Alexander F. Berdnikov, Executive Secretary of the Russian-African Club, addressed pressing issues including BRICS as a platform for development, low-carbon initiatives, and the role of universities in bilateral relations.
Former President of Kyrgyzstan Professor Askar A. Akaev and Professor Rasigan Maharajh of South Africa delivered critical insights into the opportunities and challenges faced by the Global South, particularly in the context of shifting global power dynamics.
A Vision for the Future of the Global South
The discussions underscored a clear vision for the Global South’s future—one rooted in collective action, innovation, and mutual respect. As countries in the region strengthen their ties through platforms like BRICS and foster collaboration in areas such as technology, climate action, and education, they are poised to become a formidable force in shaping a fairer, more multipolar global order. The conference emphasized the need to harness shared resources and expertise to address global inequalities and create pathways for sustainable growth across all member nations.
A Vision for Equitable Global Development
Dr. Ruslan D. Grebnev, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Global Studies and a member of the organizing committee, praised the event as a landmark effort. “This conference exemplifies the capacity of the Global South to drive transformative cooperation and contribute to equitable global development,” he remarked.
With its emphasis on dialogue, innovation, and partnership, the conference marked a significant step toward strengthening ties among Global South nations and addressing shared challenges in the 21st century.
BOB Post
