Valdai Discussion Club

The Nusantara Archipelago has long been known to the Russian people. A merchant from the city of Tver, Afanasy Nikitin, mentioned a mysterious country in Southeast Asia called Shabot in his travel notes “Journey Beyond Three Seas” (1466-1472). According to historians, it could have been one of the kingdoms on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. The writer Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov, in his work "The Frigate Pallada", talks about his…

The SCO understands existing difficulties and is taking steps to systematise multilateral cooperation, developing common goals and objectives, as well as strengthen the mechanisms for their achievement by the organisation's members.Thus, in 2023, the SCO Economic Development Strategy for the period up to 2030 was approved. In 2024, following the results of Kazakhstan's chairmanship, an Action Plan for its implementation was adopted. The institutional structure of the organisation is developing.…

For the Russian Federation, cooperation with partners in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in multilateral and bilateral formats is one of the international priorities enshrined in the current Foreign Policy Concept of 2023 (hereinafter referred to as the FPC). Moreover, this not only details using the SCO's potential to develop relations on the Eurasian continent, in particular, to form a broad integration circuit - the Greater Eurasian Partnership (Clause 54…

As a discussion club widely known for focusing on global politics and world affairs, it is appropriate and timely under the circumstances that we start brainstorming and debating the possible structure of a new world order. This is because, on the one hand, the relatively stable balance of power achieved after the Second World War is gon, writes Nelson Wong, President of the Shanghai Centre for RimPac Strategic and International Studies,…

The accumulation of discoveries and innovations in history takes time, but their rapid development and widespread implementation - sometimes reaching revolutionary proportions - usually begins during and after crises (and during conflicts). At the moment, the world has emerged from the Covid-19 economic crisis, but it is in a state of geopolitical overstrain. This is the best time to find technological solutions to business-related, national and global problems, as well…

The cold war didn’t remain cold of its own accord. In the absence of the rising global peace discourse fostered by postwar peace movements, the cold war would have been even more dangerous and, perhaps, never-ending.The original, and most powerful, postwar peace movement was led by the World Peace Council (WPC) – a global network of millions of activists that from the 1940s through to the 1960s had a huge…

“There is nothing permanent except change… from differences results the most beautiful harmony” Heraclitus of Ephesus, 5th century BC   If there is a central theme to this year, it is probably the world getting accustomed to the lack of predetermined scenarios. Discussions focusing on international order are fading; the former order no longer functions, and there’s no knowledge what the new one, if it ever materialises, will look like.…

Today the world is at an early stage of a global crisis, as evidenced by a sharp increase in conflicts as states vie to become centres of power. This concerns, in particular, the Ukraine conflict, the situation in the Middle East, a set of problems in relations between India and China, and the Taiwan problem. Despite this consistent growth of contradictions, the volatility indicates that following their conclusion, a new world…

High-ranking American officials are reporting the appearance of North Korean military personnel in Russia, and also admit the possibility of their participation in the Ukrainian conflict on the Russian side. The Russian Foreign Ministry characterises such statements as information leaks and hype.Meanwhile, the United States and its allies have serious cause for concern. The breakdown of relations with Moscow amid the crisis in European security has also led to a change…

Since the start of the military phase of the Ukraine crisis in 2014, Kiev has received active support from the United States and its allies. The West's strategy in the structural confrontation with Russia is aimed at defeating our country without getting involved directly in the conflict. This hybrid confrontation scenario is not new for the United States. Washington uses hybrid instruments in the Middle East, against Iran, and against…

The juxtaposition of these two opposite trends produces a rather specific effect: countries, their elites, and even ordinary citizens are trying to find some kind of solution that would allow them to at least look into the future with relative confidence, without constantly looking back in anticipation of some kind of nastiness. The search for such a solution is further complicated by the fact that the world is in dire…

Indonesia, which has tens of thousands of islands and archipelagos, has been known for hundreds of years as a maritime country. Indonesia's geographical position in the tropics, located at the crossroads between two continents (Asia and Australia), and two oceans (Indian and Pacific), certainly has economic potential and presents strategic opportunities related to the development of the marine industry which, if explored, can become a national economic strength.  The commitment…

Two incidents involving the detonation of communication devices, the liquidation of the Hezbollah Secretary General, and the IDF's operation Northern Arrows most aptly reflect the situation on the Lebanese-Israeli border over a period of just over a month. Against this background, the "historic" agreement on the demarcation of the maritime border, signed two years ago and designed to pave the way for reconciliation between the two warring states, has remained…

 What is BRICS? In terms of ‘what it is’, Russia has demonstrated consistency in its rhetoric over the years, only refining the descriptive vocabulary it uses but not the definition itself. From its start in 2009 until 2023, BRICS has been presented as a natural and organic manifestation of the multipolarisation process the world is understood to be going through. Since its conception, the group has mainly devoted itself to…

The expansion of BRICS in 2024 has undoubtedly increased Africa’s weight in international affairs and contributed to the ongoing discussion on the complexities of multipolarity. The development of strategic and commercial ties between BRICS and Africa also reflects the pragmatic interest in the continent on the part of major powers and old members of the group – China, India, Brazil and Russia. How the objective strengthening of the continent’s global…

International politics seems to finally have lost its ability to pursue linear development. This, of course, is extremely sad from the point of view of the average person. However, if we look at what is happening beyond our expectations, whether they are genuine or not, then what is happening can cause significant interest and even elements of optimism. First of all, because with the current balance of power, any linear…

The goal of the conference, which will bring together 140 participants from 50 countries, is to offer non-Western ideas for solving global problems, to make it clear that the leading developed countries do not have a monopoly on formulating the goals and methods of development. The discussions will cover all the main global topics, from the environment and inequality to artificial intelligence and methods of conflict resolution. Programme of the…

The 21st Annual Meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club will be held on November 4–7, 2024 in Sochi, at the Polyana 1389 hotel complex. The name of this year’s event is “Lasting Peace on What Basis? Common Security and Equal Opportunities for Development in the 21st Century”. According to the Club, the world order is currently undergoing a period of fundamental transformation. The changes taking place before our eyes do…

On October 18, on the eve of the BRICS summit in Kazan, the Valdai Club hosted a presentation of a report titled “BRICS+ Energy: A Mover for the New World Order.” Ivan Timofeev, the moderator of the discussion, noted that although the BRICS agenda is quite broad, energy occupies a special place in the group’s agenda, since Russia is the largest supplier of energy resources, and India, China, and Brazil…

On October 20, the newly elected President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, who had previously served as the country's Minister of Defence, will officially take office. Already in the period between the elections and the inauguration, Prabowo has demonstrated a great deal of diplomatic activity. He conducted a series of international visits and meetings, including a visit to Russia this summer, where he had a conversation with Vladimir Putin and a…

Eurasia, a region of immense geopolitical significance due to its strategic location and abundant natural resources, has always been a focus of global interest. The Russia-Ukraine conflict that erupted in February 2022 has further underscored the evolving dynamics of Eurasian geopolitics. A key driver of these changes is the growing influence of China. As Beijing expands its economic and political reach, it is increasingly shaping the geopolitics of Eurasia. However,…

BRICS today leaves no one indifferent; its polarising influence extends to  the remote corners of the world. For some, it is definitely a “bone in the throat”, while for others - the only beacon of hope in the raging ocean of our world. For still others, it is a complete working tool for reforming the existing world order. Regardless of the polarity of the assessments, no one ignores or denies…

Secondary sanctions have now become one of the key political risks facing the foreign partners of Russian businesses. Attention to them has increased significantly since the start of the Special Military Operation and the use of large-scale economic sanctions against Russia by the United States and other Western countries. Russia has quickly adapted to the restrictive measures. Moscow has built a new system of relations with the states and associations…

In the best traditions of a Persian epic, Tehran has long been able to play on the fear and curiosity of the great powers, leaving them in the dark about the true contents of its “box”. Against this background, all sorts of assumptions arise about whether Iran really needs nuclear weapons, which will almost certainly lead to international condemnation and even greater isolation, or whether it is more focused on…

The emergence, in 2022, of a large group of countries, which in the Russian foreign policy discourse is referred to as the “World Majority,” came as a most meaningful event in the modern-day international life. The World Majority countries refused to be part of the economic and other sanctions imposed on Moscow by the West and have kept unchanged, or even expanded, trade and investment relations with Russia. This concept…

Competition, albeit latent, can be both counterproductive and beneficial for the project. Until recently, Russia was sceptical about the Trans-Kyrgyz Railway project, reasonably believing that this project would not be a global competitor to the Trans-Siberian Railway, despite the shorter, but more complex route to Europe. Russian Railways were even officially present in the working group for the development of the Trans-Kyrgyz Railway project (or as it is called, the…

If Donald Trump terminates the new national emergency declared via Executive Order 14024, then all those included in the SDN on its grounds will be excluded. This also applies to sectoral sanctions. The sanctions imposed by the Obama administration with respect to the Ukrainian issue, digital security and other issues will remain. There are quite a few precedents for such cancellations. Thus, Biden, already in the first months of his…

On October 14–15, the Valdai Discussion Club and the Center for Russian Studies at East China Normal University will hold a Russian-Chinese conference in Moscow to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The Center for Russian Studies at East China Normal University is one of the largest institutes in China studying Russia, the former Soviet Union, and Chinese-Russian relations. It also serves as a platform for other Chinese think…

The 2024 expansion is the most important milestone, after which BRICS found itself at a fork in the road. It will either preserve and strengthen the quality of cooperation amid the new composition and turn into a genuine institute of global governance and dive into the formation of a more just world order, or it will become a loose and non-decision-making discussion club, participation in which is prestigious, but does…

On October 2, a discussion dedicated to the aggravation of the situation in the Middle East was held at the Valdai Discussion Club. The event was moderated by Programme Director Andrey Sushentsov. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Lebanon Alexander Rudakov noted that the country is at the intersection of almost the entire spectrum of Middle Eastern problems, suffering from ethno-confessional tensions, a profound economic and political…

On October 1, the 39th US President Jimmy Carter celebrated his 100th birthday. In our opinion, this ex-president personifies a very interesting and, judging by some details, irretrievable bygone era. An era from which lessons can be learned. Especially if we look back at the turning point, the year 1979, writes Roman Reinhardt. Then, forty-five years ago, a number of events occurred that determined the development of international relations along…

The desire to win the AI ​​race on the global stage as well as lobbying by tech investors and developers will push legislators to create conditions favourable to the development of innovation, while maintaining control over the big players. Antitrust legislation on AI in both the US and other countries should be monitored, as it will affect the global balance of power in the tech race, writes Anna Sytnik. The…

The appointment of a prime minister hasprovided short-term relief for the French political system, but will not lead it out of the impasse in which it has found itself at the behest of President Emmanuel Macron, believes Alexey Chikhachev, senior lecturer at the Department of European Studies, Faculty of International Relations, St. Petersburg State University.In early September, after two months of behind-the-scenes negotiations with all political factions, the Elysee Palace…

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies occupies a special place in Indonesia’s national policy, which is aimed at fully digitalising all sectors of the economy. Joko Widodo, when he was the President of Indonesia, said that any country “that controls AI can potentially rule the world.” With this statement, he elevated the role of AI in Indonesia’s digital transformation and launched a series of initiatives aimed at laying the…

The past cannot be changed, however, we can learn from it. Africa’s expectation, in particular of its rising younger generation, is to be treated with respect and fairness. Africa is embracing diversity while re-anchoring to its roots, writes Ibrahima Diagne in the second part of his reflections on Africa’s role in the emerging multipolar world (the part one is available here). Do not look where you fell, but where you…

BRICS membership would significantly increase Turkey’s international authority and prestige. The country would be able to actively participate in the development of global economic and political strategies, offering its ideas and formulas for solving global problems, write Igbal Adil Oglu Guliyev and Murad Sadygzade. In early September 2024, Turkey once again attracted the attention of the world media by officially submitting an application to join BRICS. Earlier in June of…

On September 19, 2024, the Valdai Club hosted an expert discussion, titled “Elections in the USA: What Awaits Ukraine?” Moderator Andrey Sushentsovx noted that the American presidential elections scheduled for November 5 are of concern to most countries throughout the world, and will affect many areas of international life. For Vladimir Zelensky and his entourage, it is especially important who will lead the United States. The Ukrainian government is trying…

The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) is an international regional organisation which was created on a wave of romantic fascination with the end of the Cold War. It has gone through several stages of searching for a programmatic and organisational identity. A wonderful chance to decisively address truly common problems on the scale of the entire region at the intergovernmental level was not realized: the collective search for…

In France, the July 2024 elections had ensured victory for two political forces opposed to Macron, viz. the Rassemblement National and the Nouveau Front Populaire. But Macron had postponed the choice of a Prime Minister until the post-Olympic period, two months later. Now, in September 2024, he has appointed Michel Barnier, his ideological twin, as Prime Minister, without taking into account the new political forces in the National Assembly. Macron…

The US has not yet found its way out of the labyrinth that its Venezuela policy has created. The key to the door lies in returning to diplomacy and a policy of mutual respect despite geopolitical differences, but the US does not seem ready to take on that challenge, Carlos Ron writes.  On July 28, Venezuela held its 31st national election in 25 years. President Nicolas Maduro was re-elected to…