Russian Consulate in Cape Town

🌎Members of APEC are showing interest in strengthening cooperation with BRICS, a leading multilateral platform in the emerging polycentric world. 🇹🇭Thailand has decided to become a partner of BRICS, responding to the invitation extended by Russia, which is holding the presidency of the group in 2024. 🤝#RussianMFA#BRICS2024

📹On November 27, 2024, the Consul General of the Russian Federation in Cape Town, Alexei Malenko, participated in a press conference organized by ITAR-TASS, dedicated to the "BRICS Universe" project 🧑‍🚀This significant cultural project represents photographs of UNESCO Creative Cities of BRICS countries, taken from the International Space Station by Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Ivan Wagner. 🌍The "BRICS Universe" exhibition was presented in 10 Russian and foreign cities and attracted over 220,000 viewers. 🤝The exhibition provided a unique opportunity for visitors to appreciate the beauty of our planet as seen from space, and became an important element of cultural exchange among the BRICS countries. The project strengthened humanitarian ties and brought together people with shared spiritual and moral values. 🇿🇦The exhibition was opened in September,2024 at the IZIKO Museum in Cape Town with the support of the Russian space agency Roscosmos and the creative team from the G. M. Grechko Nizhny Novgorod Planetarium, becoming a significant event in the cultural life of the city. It is still available for the visitors of at the local planetarium, offering a unique opportunity for Cape Town residents to engage with the project and witness the cultural interaction within the BRICS framework. 💬"The Russian Federation's presidency in BRICS has opened a new chapter in strengthening the longstanding Russian-African cooperation. We hope that projects like “BRICS Universe” will serve as a foundation for the further development of intercultural dialogue and humanitarian ties between Russia and African countries," said Consul General Alexei Malenko in his remarks. 🎙️The results of the project, the importance of educational initiatives in promoting Russian space exploration, and the significance of humanitarian cooperation within the BRICS countries were also discussed by the Governor of the Ulyanovsk Region Alexey Russkikh, cosmonaut and Hero of Russia Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, Director of the G. M. Grechko Nizhny Novgorod Planetarium and project leader Galina Muromtseva, as well as the Consul General of Russia in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Andrey Petrov. 📷: Alena Bjahova, TASS #BRICS2024#RussiaSouthAfrica#BRICSUniverse#RussianMFA

💬Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks during the 43rd meeting of the Foreign Ministry’s Council of Heads of Constituent Entities of the Russian Federation Our today’s agenda focuses on Agricultural Diplomacy for the Regions. This is a very important topic these days. Russia has been performing its obligations under international contracts in good faith. We are among the key actors when it comes to guaranteeing food security. It is quite obvious that in today’s geopolitical environment, being proactive in our diplomatic efforts in the agricultural sector helps forge stronger ties with the countries in the Global South and East, and serves as an effective asset in our foreign policy. We saw this during last year’sRussia-Africa Summit, where President Vladimir Putin put forward several initiatives to supply food and fertilisers to the countries in the Global South which need this kind of assistance. We also saw this in Sochi, at the Sirius centre, which hosted the First Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum. This is a very important topic for the Global Majority, including our friends within BRICS. In June 2024, Moscow hosted the Conference on Food Security and Sustainable Agricultural Development as part of Russia’s BRICS chairmanship. Its participants outlined specific steps for reinforcing our cooperation in this domain. Those taking part in the Kazan Summit supported Russia’s initiative to establish a grain exchange within BRICS and possibly expanding it in the future by adding other agricultural sectors. In this context, the proposal by Tambov Region Head Yevgeny Pervyshov to set up an International Centre for Food Security and Fighting Hunger within the Michurinsk State Agrarian University was quite timely and relevant. We will hear more details about this proposal today. #BRICS2024#RussianMFA

#BRICS2024🤝#BRICS2025 🔨 Following the final, fifth BRICS Sherpas/Sous Sherpas Meeting under Russia's Chairship, Russia's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sherpa in BRICS Sergey Ryabkov passed a symbolic baton in the form of the chair's hammer (made by the famous master craftsmen from the Urals) to the Head of the Brazilian delegation Ambassador Eduardo Paes Saboia in gesture of passing the Chairship in BRICS to Brazil.

#BRICS2024 🎙 Opening remarks by Russia's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Russia's Sherpa in BRICS Sergey Ryabkov at the BRICS Sherpas/Sous Sherpas Meeting in Yekaterinburg, Russia (November 27, 2024) Key talking points: • Let me particularly welcome the two new BRICS Sous Sherpas — esteemed Ms. Paula Barboza from Brazil and Ms. Lemlem Fiseha Minale from Ethiopia. I think we will benefit from their great experience and great capabilities they showed on their previous assignments. • In BRICS, we work in a very close, pro-active and constructive manner. This is the last Sherpas/Sous Sherpas Meeting under the Russian Chairmanship. This year we have achieved great results together. There has been significant progress on all three pillars of our cooperation: policy and security, economyand finance, humanitarian and people-to-people contacts. • We have some solid deliverables. In particular, the agreement to establish BRICS Grain Exchange, the Contact Group on Climate Change and Sustainable Development, the Working Group on Nuclear Medicine. A transport dialogue was launched. • We have important developments on the finance track — particularly, on establishing independent and sustainable payment mechanisms with specific focus on the use of national currencies. A milestone achievement is the BRICS Partner Category. • Amid increasing tensions in international relations, worsening long-standing political and economic problems, growing danger of new challenges and threats, BRICS stood strong and focused, its fortitude has been ever more strengthened with the expansion — this was clearly manifested at the XVI Summit in Kazan, in particular, at the BRICS Plus/Outreach session. This confirmed that BRICS is now perceived as a driving force of global transformation for a more just and multipolar world order based on respect for legitimate interests and sovereign choice of countries and peoples, respect for international law. 👉The Kazan Declaration turned out to be very complex and forward-looking document. It lays a long-term foundation of the development of cooperation between our countries in expanded BRICS. • I would like to thank you, dear colleagues, for your constructive approach, assistance and support to the Russian Chairmanship. We are greatful for the attention to the initiatives and proposals of the Chair, aimed at deepening and diversifying the cooperation in the BRICS format.

🎼From Brazil to South Africa to beyond music fest “BRICS Melody” covering every genre and every style was held in Russia. 🫶🏻Visitors heard the sound of 25 instruments such as Indian sarangi, sitar and tabla, South African umahweyana, djembe, mbira, Arabic oud, Chinese guzheng, Ethiopian krar, Brazilian pandeiro, Iranian daf. 👩🏻‍💻During the three days Ulyanovsk hosted concerts, masterclasses and lectures on the culture and history of the BRICS countries. They were attended by musicians, art historians and ethnographers from Brazil, China, India, Iran, UAE, Russia and South Africa. One of the central events of the festival was a case conference dedicated to the popularisation of traditional music and instruments among young people. More photos and videos - YOUTH BRICS #BRICS2024#RussianMFA

💬 “BRICS is a power providing food security, de-dollarization, UN reforms,” Dr. Nicodemus Minde, social science researcher, comments on the #BRICS 🔈The #BRICS2024 Summit debunks many myths about Russia's perceived isolation, and it also sends a strong message to the West that the world desires and thus is moving towards multipolarity. 🇷🇺 Russia’s president really makes efforts to provide food security on the African continent. 💬"This particular initiative and declaration that has been passed by President Putin and it is an effort towards a more food-secure world, especially in the continent of Africa, which still continues to really rely on grain," he said about Putin's initiative for BRICS Grain Exchange. ❗️De-dollarization is one of the aims of the BRICS, it will enable the members to develop international trade, to surpass sanctions and embargoes placed by the West. Broader reforms are needed in the UN Security Council. BRICS is pushing for the alternative voice. #BRICS#RussiaSouthAfrica

#BRICS2024 🎙Remarks and answers to media questionsby President of Russia Vladimir Putin following the results of the XVI BRICS Summit in Kazan(October 24, 2024) 💬Vladimir Putin: The XVI BRICS Summit has just concluded with great success. It marked the culmination of Russia's chairmanship of the group and was one of the significant events on the global political calendar. <...> Regarding the Kazan Summit itself, delegations from 35 countries and six international organisations participated in it, as you are already aware. Such broad representation clearly underscores the authority and role of BRICS, as well as the growing interest in cooperation with us from states that are indeed pursuing truly independent and sovereign policies. <...> 📄The Kazan Declaration which summed up the discussions was approved at the Summit. <...> In Kazan, we reaffirmed that BRICS is not a closed format; it is open to all those who share BRICS values. The Group's members are prepared to work towards identifying joint solutions without external pressure or attempts to enforce narrow approaches upon anyone. BRICS is compelled to respond to the burgeoning demand in the world for such cooperation. Accordingly, we devoted particular attention to the matter of potential BRICS expansion through the establishment of a new category — that of partner states. The Summit has concluded. I wish to express my gratitude once again to all my colleagues, who travelled to Kazan, for their contributions to our collective efforts. I must highlight that their input was quite substantial. *** Answers to media questions. Key points: Prospects for the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis • All the parties are in favour of resolving the conflict at the earliest opportunity, preferably through peaceful means. You may be aware that the People's Republic of China and Brazil put forward an initiative at the General Assembly in New York. Numerous BRICS nations endorse these initiatives, and we, in turn, extend our gratitude to our partners for their attention to this conflict and their pursuit of methods to resolve it. • We are ready to discuss a peace agreement in any shape or form based on the reality on the ground. That is to say, I am not ready to accept anything else. On alleged Russia's interference in the US electoral process and the prospects for normalization of Russia-US relations • This issue has been making headlines for years now. <...> However, after an investigation conducted in the United States, everyone, including US Congress, concluded that it was utter nonsense and that nothing of the kind ever happened. There were no contacts back then, and there are none now. • Russia-US relations after the elections depend primarily on the United States. If the United States is open to building normal relations with Russia, we will do the same. If not, so be it. This is up to the future Administration. On global and regional stability, security and building a just world • Is it fair in terms of security that you have for years disregarded our repeated requests to our partners not to expand NATO eastward? Is it fair that you lied through your teeth, saying that the bloc would not expand while doing precisely that in violation of your commitments? <...> Is it fair that you violated your commitments within the OSCE, when all Western countries signed a document stating that no country may ensure its security at the expense of other countries? ❗️This is not fair. We want to change this, and we will change it. The situation in the Middle East • I believe that there is no person on Earth whose heart does not bleed when they see what is happening in Gaza. Over 40,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed. • The solution can only be found by addressing the root causes, the primary one being the lack of a fully recognized, sovereign Palestinian state. It is necessary to implement all relevant UN Security Council resolutions on this matter. Read in full

#BRICS2024 🇷🇺🇲🇷President of RussiaVladimir Putin and President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouaniheld talks on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan (October 24, 2024) 💬Vladimir Putin: Mr President, I am delighted to meet with you. We appreciate your decision to personally visit Kazan not only as head of state but also as chairperson of the African Union, and to attend the BRICS Summit’s events. 🌍 The strengthening of cooperation with the dynamically developing African countries is one of BRICS priorities in the outreach format. Mauritania’s representatives took an active part in the group’s events organised during Russia’s chairmanship this year. Russia has developed close and constructive relations with the African Union. We appreciate the practical activities of that organisation in politics and the economy, as well as in ensuring security on the African continent. We welcome the African Union’s decision to join the G20 as a full member. For our part, we are providing all-round assistance to this process. 📈Russia’s trade with Africa is growing with each passing year. It increased by over 30 percent in 2023 and continued to grow this year. From January to July, our mutual trade increased by another 25 percent year on year. The two #RussiaAfrica summits, which were held with the direct and proactive assistance of the African Union, one in Sochi in 2019 and the other in St Petersburg in 2023, have given a fresh impetus to the further development of Russia’s relations with African countries. We are actively working together to implement the important documents adopted as a result of these summits. 🤝 As for our bilateral relations, Russia & Mauritania developed close ties back in the middle of the 20th century, and we continue to strengthen them on the principles of friendship, mutual respect and a balance of national interests. This year, we will mark the 60th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. We have accumulated a wealth of positive experience in the area of mutually beneficial cooperation over that period. We maintain regular political dialogue at various levels. Our foreign ministers keep in touch with each other. We are working consistently to strengthen the legal framework of our relationship. We have developed close ties in education. We have trained over 3,500 Mauritanian professionals. Mr President, we are delighted by the growing interest of your young people in studying in Russia. 🌐 Russia and Mauritania often take a common stance on the international stage, which helps us develop our relations on the same basis within the framework of the BRICS Plus/Outreach format. Mr President, we highly value your support for Russia’s initiatives at the UN and other multilateral forums and venues. #RussiaMauritania

🇷🇺Russia proposed to open the BRICS grain exchange, which will allow to ensure food security in the association. President #Putin: It has been suggested to open the BRICS grain exchange that will facilitate the formation of fair and predictable price indicators for products and primary produce, considering its particular role in ensuring food security. The implementation of this initiative will help protecting national markets from negative external interference, speculations and attempts to cause the food shortage artificially. #brics2024#brics#bricssummit

📄XVI BRICS Summit Kazan Declaration 📍 Kazan, Russia, October 23, 2024 Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security ✍️ We reiterate the importance of further enhancing BRICS solidarity and cooperation based on our mutual interests and key priorities and further strengthening our strategic partnership. We reaffirm our commitment to the BRICS spirit of mutual respect and understanding, sovereign equality, solidarity, democracy, openness, inclusiveness, collaboration and consensus. As we build upon 16 years of BRICS Summits, we further commit ourselves to strengthening cooperation in the expanded BRICS under the three pillars: ✅ political and security; ✅ economic and financial; ✅ cultural and people-to-people cooperation; and to enhancing our strategic partnership for the benefit of our people through the promotion of peace, a more representative, fairer international order, a reinvigorated and reformed multilateral system, sustainable development and inclusive growth. We welcome the considerable interest by countries of the Global South in BRICS and we endorse the Modalities of BRICS Partner Country Category. We strongly believe that extending the BRICS partnership with EMDCs will further contribute to strengthening the spirit of solidarity and true international cooperation for the benefit of all. We commit to further promoting BRICS institutional development. 👉Strengthening Multilateralism For A More Just And Democratic World Order 🇺🇳 We reaffirm our support for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of developing countries in the Council’s memberships so that it can adequately respond to prevailing global challenges and support the legitimate aspirations of emerging and developing countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America, including BRICS countries, to play a greater role in international affairs, in particular in the United Nations, including its Security Council. We recognise the crucial role of BRICS in the process of improving the international monetary and financial system (IMFS), with a view to making it more responsive to the needs of all countries. 👉Enhancing cooperation for global and regional stability and security We strongly support enhanced BRICS dialogue on policy and security issues. We reiterate our unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed. 👉Fostering Economic and Financial Cooperation for Just Global Development We underscore the need to reform the current international financial architecture to meet the global financial challenges including global economic governance to make the international financial architecture more inclusive and just. 👉Strengthening people-to-people exchanges for social and economic development #BRICS2024: We commend Russia's BRICS Chairship in 2024 and express our gratitude to the government and people of the Russian Federation for holding the XVI BRICS Summit in the city of Kazan. #BRICS2025: We extend full support to Brazil for its BRICS Chairship in 2025 and the holding of the XVII BRICS Summit in Brazil. Read in full: 1, 2

📃 BRICS leaders adopt final declaration of XVI BRICS summit 💬 “A final declaration has been prepared, which contains general assessments of the state of affairs in the world, summarises the results of the Russian BRICS presidency, and defines the benchmarks of interaction for the long term” - President Vladimir Putin. 🖋️ The declaration consists of four sections: “Strengthening multilateralism for a fairer and more democratic world order”, “Strengthening cooperation in the interests of global and regional stability and security”, “Deepening financial and economic cooperation in the interests of equitable global development”, “Expanding humanitarian exchanges in the interests of socio-economic development.” 🔗 The final declaration is published on the official website of the Russian President. #BRICS2024