Russian Consulate in Cape Town

🇷🇺 The Security Council of the Russian Federation: ⚡️The comprehensive high-level international dialogue on the future architecture of global security has definitively dispelled the myth of Russia’s isolation. The 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues concluded in Moscow. The three-day international dialogue chaired by Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Sergey Shoigu held at Rossiya National Centre was attended by 126 delegations from 105 countries that are members of #BRICS, the #SCO, #ASEAN, the #CIS, #CELAC, the African Union, the #CSTO, and other international organisations. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took part in the plenary session, during which 60 speakers delivered their remarks. The Minister shared his assessments of the Ministry’s performance amid dynamic global processes. The Russian delegation held over 80 bilateral meetings, while foreign representatives held more than 40 bilateral meetings among themselves. Multilateral meetings were held in BRICS, the SCO, the CIS, and Russia-ASEAN formats. A briefing was organized for delegations from African countries, while an expert seminar on global security issues took place as well. 💬 From Secretary of the Security Council of Russia Sergey Shoigu’s remarks at a news conference following the meeting: “The high level of participants and the sheer number of participating countries clearly showed the urgency and the demand for holding such events and dispelled the myth of Russia’s isolation this time again. The participants unanimously noted that the meeting was held in an atmosphere of mutual trust, and the discussions were informative and productive. The open and trust-based dialogue about the need for forming equal and indivisible security architecture served as an effective confirmation of the fact that the multipolar world, in which the security of each country matters, already exists.” Foreign delegations expressed strong interest in the exhibition ‘Journey across Russia’ by the National Centre, which showcased the diversity of our country’s scientific research and cultural endeavours and the multifaceted achievements of modern-day Russia, as well as in the ‘We Accuse’ photo exhibition about the crimes committed by the Kiev regime during the special military operation in Ukraine, as well as in an exhibition dedicated to the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

🎙Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement and answers to media questions following the G20 Ministerial Council meeting(Johannesburg, February 21, 2025) Read in full 💬 The main focus of the deliberations among the Foreign Ministers was the crucial goal of amplifying the voices of developing nations in global decision-making. The discussions were substantial, and we observed tangible progress in this regard. Since last year, the African Union has attained full membership within the G20. The League of Arab States (#LAS) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (#CELAC) are interested in securing equivalent status. Such ambitions are commendable. We are confident that, in due course, the #EAEU may also rightfully aspire to similar standing <…> We articulated our perspective on international challenges and their resolution during a period when multipolar realities are increasingly acknowledged. The advent of multipolarity is self-evident to us and to the #BRICS nations. Statistical evidence underscores this trend. 📈 The combined gross domestic product of BRICS states has surpassed that of the G7 countries. BRICS accounts for 37 percent of global GDP, compared to the G7’s 29 percent. This disparity heightens the urgency of reforming global economic institutions to reflect the genuine weight of the Global South and the World Majority within the world economy, alongside fostering non-discriminatory economic ties. These matters were actively deliberated. Russia stands ready to vigorously facilitate further progress in this domain, though numerous challenges persist <…> We urged our Western counterparts to respect universally recognised rules of international law. Emphasis was placed on revitalising the United Nations’ role as a platform for coordinating state actions and forging a fair balance of interests. The role played by BRICS certainly attracts everyone’s attention at the global level <…> Speaking about entities that play a certain role in international economic relations, the G20 in general retains the role of a dialogue platform between the old and new centres of power. We spoke in favour of preserving the economic profile of this association <…> South Africa, which has led the G20 this year, completes the succession of BRICS presidencies that began in 2022, when Indonesia was at the head of the G20. In 2023 it was India, and in 2024 it was Brazil. This successive version of BRICS being at the helm of the G20 has had the positive outcomeof strengthening the position of the Global South in our forum. ❗️ All this contributes to the establishment of a fairer multipolar world order based on the sovereign equality of states, as required by the UN Charter, and on all other principles of the Charter in their totality and interrelation. From answers to media questions: • The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, spoke at the G20 with the same array of accusations, proclaiming certain “plans” that would prevent Russia from taking its rightful place in the world. There is some tragicomic element to this. • The reaction of the “tragicomic figures” heading the Brussels bureaucracy and NATO tothe meeting in Riyadh is highly illustrative. The mere fact that representatives of two great powers sat down, engaged in discussion, and articulated their respective positions is perceived by them as a betrayal of Western interests. These individuals are not in good health. • Multipolarity is gaining ascendancy. The growth trajectories of new, formidable centres of power – economic, political, and financial – demonstrate that this multipolarity is irreversible. In this context, the G20 retains its relevance as a forum where Western participants may come to recognise the inevitability of this process and begin adapting to it.

🎙Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at an extended meeting with the participation of the Foreign Ministers from the Global South and the Global East(June 11, 2024, Nizhny Novgorod) 💬 Welcome to Russia and Nizhny Novgorod, a beautiful city, the beauty of which and the feelings of the residents of which you had the chance to enjoy yesterday. Today’s meeting reflects the efforts of #BRICS members to develop ties with the stakeholder countries from the Global South and the Global East, the countries of the Global Majority, in order to identify solutions to the most pressing global issues faced by all members of the international community without exception. We are witnessing a profound transformation of international relations triggered by the formation of a fairer and polycentric system of international order, which would reflect the entire gamut of cultural and civilisational diversity of the modern-day world and ensure the right of every nation to determine its own future and its own path of development. The stronger voice of the Global Majority, i.e. the countries of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean, which are not part of the collective West, is a major trend now. Only by uniting our ranks can we truly effectively promote a vision of a just future shared by all of us. In this context, it is important to strengthen the role of the country-to-country groups that advocate balanced and equitable approaches to international development. We are talking about the formats which reflect the principles of equitable cooperation in practice rather than in words. These include, along with BRICS, #SCO, #AfricanUnion, #EAEU, #CIS, #ASEAN, #LAS, #CELAC, #GCC, #IORA and many other organisations. The chairs of many of these organisations are here with us. We believe it is important to establish contacts between all such integration entities which operate at regional levels, on the one hand, and our global association BRICS, on the other hand. This will promote gradual and mutually respectful harmonisation of approaches to the issues facing all associations. The strengthening the international legal framework and collective decision-making on global issues is now at the forefront. Only in this case will those decisions be effective and legitimate. This principle is laid down in the UN Charter. Unfortunately, the collective West’s decisions, especially in the economy, finance, trade and more, increasingly fail to comply with the fundamental principles of the UN Charter. Our countries have largely overlapping approaches to reforming the system of multilateral institutions, including the UN and the UN Security Council, as well as addressing the post-pandemic recovery of the global economy and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals approved by the UN General Assembly. 🤝 We look forward to discussing all these issues today.