🎙 Address by Ambassador of Russia to South Africa Roman Ambarov on the occasion of Mandela Day (July 18,2025)
💬 Dear friends,
On July 18, we celebrate #MandelaDay – a holiday officially declared by the United Nations to honor the legacy of the South African statesman and one of the most outstanding champions of human rights, Nelson Mandela.
The name Mandela is, without exaggeration, familiar to every person living in the former Soviet republics. For two decades, the slogan “Freedom for Mandela!” echoed through the media and peaceful demonstrations, while our country remained the only major power that consistently refused to engage with the criminal racist regime.
👉 The Soviet Union not only provided substantial financial support to the South African liberation movement but also assisted in training military personnel.
Nelson Mandela praised #RussiaSouthAfrica ties in the times of the struggle against apartheid:
"In a difficult time, Russia became a second home for many of us. Hundreds of young South Africans received an education here — an opportunity denied to them in their own country. Many of our cadres received military training that turned them into skilled fighters for freedom and justice. <...> For the help in liberating the entire South African nation from an inhumane system, we say from the bottom of our hearts: 'Spasibo bolshoe!'" [Thank you very much in Russian].
The friendship forged in those challenging times for South Africans continues to live on between our nations today — thanks in no small part to Nelson Mandela himself.
At the heart of Mandela Day, as established by the UN, lies a principle of action, not words – people are encouraged to perform acts of charity and help those in need. The Russian Embassy in South Africa fully embraces this spirit: as part of this commemorative occasion, Russian diplomats will provide assistance and support to three South African children social facilities.
🤝 I extend my warmest congratulations to all our South African friends on this special day and wish you well-being, prosperity, and strength in pursuing your ideals.
#MandelaDay2025
🇷🇺🇿🇦📞 President Vladimir Putinspoke over the phone with President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa.
The President of South Africa expressed his deep condolences and feelings of solidarity over the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall. He wished resilience to the families and friends of the victims and a speedy recovery to the injured.
The Leaders expressed satisfaction with the current level of strategic partnership between their countries and discussed issues of practical trade, economic, energy and humanitarian cooperation.
Speaking in the context of the #BRICS Chairmanship, which Russia has taken over from South Africa, they discussed interaction within the group in its new expanded format.
In light of the peace initiative advanced by African states to resolve the Ukraine crisis, Cyril Ramaphosa briefed Vladimir Putin on South Africa’s intention to continue working in this area with due regard for Russia’s legitimate interests. Vladimir Putin, in turn, outlined Russia’s position of principle on developments around Ukraine, noting that Russia had always been open to a serious and substantive discussion of a political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict.
#RussiaAfrica#RussiaSouthAfrica
🗓 Today, on June 5, the XXVII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum has kicked off. The main theme of the event is "The Formation of New Areas of Growth as the Cornerstone of a Multipolar World".
Over the years, the Forum has become the world's leading platform for the business community to communicate and discuss key economic issues facing Russia, emerging markets and the world as a whole.
👨💼👩💼 More than 17,100 people from 136 countries and territories, as well as 3,400 media representatives are participating in SPIEF-2024.
The plenary session of the Forum will traditionally be addressed by Russia's President Vladimir Putin, who has previously sent greeting to the participants, organisers and guests of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
The SPIEF-2024 business programme consists of four thematic tracks:
🔹 The Transition to a Multipolar World Economy;
🔹 Goals and Objectives of Russia’s New Economic Cycle;
🔹 Technologies for Leadership;
🔹 A Healthy Society, Traditional Values and Social Development: The Priority of the State.
The programme includes more than 150 thematic sessions with over 1,000 moderators and speakers.
In addition, events organised by the Russian Foreign Ministry will traditionally take place on the margins of the SPIEF:
• On June 7, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova will hold a briefing, as well as a session on "International and National Experiences of Artificial Intelligence Regulation: Best Practices";
• On June 8, The International Affairs, a magazine published by the Foreign Ministry, will hold a debate titled "Polycentricity: The Norm of a Future World without Colonies and Hegemons".
🤝 The programme of events of the SPIEF-2024 international track includes more than 10 business dialogues, including formats EAEU-ASEAN, #RussiaAfrica, #RussiaLatinAmerica, #RussiaChina, #RussiaSouthAfrica, #RussiaKazakhstan, #RussiaIndia, #RussiaIran, #RussiaBrazil and other bilateral meetings.
The forum will last until June 8.
#SPIEF2024
✔️🇷🇺🇿🇦 В Петрозаводске состоялось подписание Меморандума о взаимопонимании между Республикой Карелия и провинцией Северный Кейп.
С официальным визитом в Карелию прибыл Премьер-министр провинции Северный Кейп Замани Саул.
В ходе встречи с Первым заместителем Главы Республики Карелия – Премьер-министром Правительства Республики Карелия А.С. Сергеевым стороны обсудили широкий круг вопросов, представляющих взаимный интерес. Был отмечен значительный потенциал для развития торгово-экономических связей, а также сотрудничества в сферах промышленности, инноваций, туризма и культуры.
🤝 Результатом переговоров стало подписание Меморандума о взаимопонимании, определившего ключевые направления межрегионального партнерства.
«Мы видим большой потенциал для взаимодействия, особенно в таких отраслях, как лесопромышленный комплекс, машиностроение и туризм. Провинция Северный Кейп обладает уникальным опытом в переработке камня, алмазодобыче и природными ресурсами, туристическим потенциалом. Мы уверены, что наше сотрудничество будет взаимовыгодным», — отметил заместитель Премьер-министра Правительства РК О.А. Ермолаев.
📌 Программа визита также включает знакомство с экономическим и культурным потенциалом региона: делегация посетит ведущие промышленные предприятия, включая АО «Кондопожский ЦБК», «ЭФЭР», МБ Барбелл.
#RussiaSouthAfrica#BRICS#Karelia#NorthernCape#russianMFA