📺 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting on the sidelines of the 79th Session.
📍 New York, September 25, 2024
💬 The formation of a multilateral world requires upgrading of the international governance architecture, if we want to build a more just and democratic world order based on the enduring principles of the UN Charter in their entirety and interconnection.
#G20, as a leading economic forum, can give a powerful boost to these objective processes that are dictated by life itself. We believe that the G20 should strictly adhere to its mandate and not delve into issues of peace and security and other universal problems, which the UN is here to deal with. It is important that the activities of our platform are strictly based on the principle of consensus.
At the G20 summit in New Delhi in 2023, we promised to strengthen the voice of developing countries in collective decision-making. It is necessary to translate these promises into concrete actions. The reform of international institutions, which must be considered as global public goods, should be carried out taking into account the interests of new growing centres of global development. The current conditions show that there have been significant changes in the balance of economic leaders.
📈 Two years ago, BRICS member countries surpassed the G7 in terms of real GDP. According to forecasts, the ten BRICS members will produce about 37% of the world’s output, while the G7 group will fall to 27% or even lower.
At the same time, we can see the African continent and other regions of the Global South and East quickly rising. Russia is actively reorienting its trade to their markets. This includes the Asia-Pacific region, Latin America and the Caribbean, South Asia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
🌐Innovative multilateral formats such as #BRICS (where Russia presides in 2024), the SCO, the EAEU, ASEAN, the African Union, and CELAC are becoming increasingly important.
Projects designed to align integration efforts, such as Russia’s flagship Greater Eurasian Partnership initiative, are picking up momentum.
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A tangible progress has been achieved in the context of efforts to de-dollarise the international financial and economic system. In particular, the share of national currencies in Russia’s settlements with the SCO and EAEU countries has exceeded 90%. Russia and its BRICS partners have achieved an indicator equal to 65%, and this figure grows. The share of the dollar in the BRICS payments pattern is currently below 29%.
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🤷♂️ Nevertheless, certain global mechanisms are still in the West’s hands, and it tends to abuse them. A matter of particular concern are the attempts on the part of the United States and its allies to impose a confrontational agenda on international organisations in order to make them the vehicles of unilateral restrictions, plunder, impoundment of sovereign assets, trade wars and unfair competition, including in the name of environmentalism and climate.
All of these are clear manifestations of neocolonialism. Over the past ten years, the collective West has introduced more than 21,000 illegal restrictions against Russia alone. Their extraterritorial use – and this is an even more odious, illegitimate, raider-style approach – is primarily affecting the poorest countries and destitute population groups, depriving them of affordable energy, food and fertiliser.
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Another topical task is combat the predominance and influence of Western states’ citizens who occupy top positions in international secretariats.
🇺🇳 A reform of the global governance system should heed the intransient central role of the UN in the system of international relations. The UN Charter and international law should not be substituted by any behind-the-scenes "rules".
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☝️ We should be guided by a striving to achieve genuine multilateralism, the main guarantee of strategic stability, indivisible security and an open and non-discriminatory economy.
Full transcript
🇷🇺🇿🇦 On April 13, the programme “Digital Transformation of Public Administration System 2026” was officially launched in Pretoria in partnership with the National School of Government, organised by the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA).
The initiative is being implemented under the Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2025 between NSG and RANEPA, aimed at strengthening cooperation in public administration training.
The Russiandelegation is led by Alexey Komissarov, Rector of RANEPA.
From the South African side, the opening ceremony was attended by Pinky Sharon Kekana, Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration, who is also participating in the programme.
💬 In her remarks, she welcomed the timely launch of the course, highlighting its relevance amid ongoing digital transformation in public administration.
The 1.5-month programme includes:
➖one week of in-person sessions in Pretoria;
➖ an online phase with further study and practical work.
🤝 During the in-person component, participants explore advanced digitalisation practices, international experience, and modern approaches to improving public administration efficiency.
The launch of the programme marks an important step in strengthening professional dialogue between Russian and South Africa and practical cooperation in public service development.
#RussiaSouthAfrica
🇷🇺🇿🇦 Representatives of the Russian Embassy in the Republic of South Africa took part in the 6th South Africa Investment Conference held in Johannesburg on 31 March 2026.
🌐The event brought together representatives of the South African economic cluster, heads of government institutions and companies, as well as representatives of the business and expert community. In total, more than 1,200 participants from more than 50 countries gathered here. Among them were senior government officials, global investors, financial development institutions, banking executives, and corporate leaders.
📍The conference programme included a series of high-level sessions on strategic partnerships, energy and critical minerals, innovative financing and economic diplomacy.
🎙️In his address, President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosа highlighted the country’s focus on a new model of economic development based on digital transformation and diversification and reaffirmed its commitment to creating a predictable and attractive environment for long-term investment, marking a transition from recovery to sustained accelerated growth.
At the same time, a new target was set to mobilise up to 2 trillion rands in investments over the next five years.
🇷🇺🤝🇿🇦 The Russian side consistently attaches great importance to the development of trade and economic ties with the Republic of South Africa, viewing it as one of the key areas of strategic cooperation. In 2025, bilateral trade once again demonstrated positive dynamics, increasing by 6% and exceeding 900 million US dollars.
#RussiaSouthAfrica
🎙 Comment by Russian Ambassador to South Africa Roman Ambarov on Russia-South Africa cooperation in Culture, Education and Literature
The recent visit to the Republic of South Africa by the well-known Russian children’s writer and Chair of the Union of Children’s and Young Adult Writers, Svetlana Krivoshlykova, organized with the support of the Russian Embassy, became a vivid and meaningful event in the development of Russian–South African humanitarian cooperation.
☝️ Such initiatives clearly demonstrate that cooperation between our countries extends far beyond traditional political and economic interaction and continues to grow steadily in the fields of culture, education, and literature.
🇷🇺🇿🇦 Today, Russia and South Africa are actively implementing a wide range of joint projects within cultural and literary exchanges – from book festivals and exhibitions to educational programs and creative meetings. In December last year, a delegation including representatives of South Africa’s Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, as well as local writers, took part in the International Intellectual Literature Fair held in Moscow. In January 2025, another prominent Russian children’s author, Valentin Postnikov, visited South Africa. His meetings with young readers and their families were met with great success, laying a solid foundation for further literary cooperation.
It is especially important to us that presentations of Svetlana Krivoshlykova’s books took place not only in Pretoria – at the school of the Russian Embassy in South Africa, but also in Cape Town, where the author met with children of Russian compatriots at the Russian Children’s Center. I am confident that such events contribute topreserving the Russian language and cultural identity abroad, while also fostering a lasting interest among the younger generation in Russian literature and traditions.
🤝 We will continue our efforts to ensure that such visits become more frequent,develop on a reciprocal basis, and help the peoples of Russia and South Africa gain a deeper understanding of each other, discovering new points of connection through literature and cultural dialogue.
#RussiaSouthAfrica
🇿🇦🏄♀️ Sensation on the coast of South Africa!
At the shores of the city of Port Alfred, 12-year-old Russian surfer Taisiya Belyaeva has made headlines by winning a medal at an international surfing competition.
🥈Taisiya has already entered the history of Russian surfing, becoming the first Russian to win an international medal, taking silver.
At just 12, she already trains globally, spending much of her time in Vietnam and Indonesia to access world-class waves.
“I’ve been surfing since I was five. Last year I won the Russian championship and made the national team. Besides surfing, I also enjoy skateboarding and drawing,” Taisiya shared.
🤩 Congratulations to Taisiya Belyaeva on this outstanding achievement!
Her success on the waves of Port Alfred is yet another example of growing Russia-South Africa intersports connections, bringing young talent, cultures, and sporting excellence closer together.
#RussiaSouthAfrica
🇷🇺🇿🇦 February 28 marks the 34th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of South Africa.
Our bilateral cooperation is rooted in the firm ties of friendship and cooperation, which took shape during the anti-apartheid struggle and continue developing today. Over the past three decades, relations between Russia and South Africa have reached the level of strategic partnership.
🤝 We extend our warmest wishes to our South African friends on the occasion of our common holiday! We express commitment to continuing the expansion of the entire spectrum of bilateral relations.
#RussiaSouthAfrica
🇷🇺🇿🇦 President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, conveyed his greetings on the occasion of Christmas and the forthcoming New Year 2026 to President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa.
#RussiaSouthAfrica
🇷🇺🇿🇦 On November 28, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa Ronald Lamola held a telephone conversation.
During the conversation, the Ministers exchanged views on key issues of bilateral relations, with a focus on deepening political dialogue, expanding mutually beneficial trade, economic and other forms of cooperation, and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening coordination in international fora.
Sergey Lavrov also congratulated his South African counterpart on the successful hosting of G20 Summit in Johannesburg on November 22-23.
#RussiaSouthAfrica
🇷🇺🇿🇦 President of Russia Vladimir Putin congratulated Cyril Ramaphosa on his re-election as President of the South African Republic.
✉️ We highly appreciate your personal contribution to the development of strategic partnership relations between our countries and to constructive Russia-South Africa interaction within the UN, BRICS, G20 and other multilateral organisations.
I look forward to continuing our constructive dialogue and joint work on pressing items on the bilateral and international agenda and to welcoming you to the BRICS Summit in Kazan on October 22–24.
I wish you every success in your responsible office of the head of state, as well as good health and well-being.
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🎉🇿🇦 Happy Heritage Day, South Africa!
On 24 September, South Africa celebrates Heritage Day – a national holiday that brings together the rainbow nation in celebration of its rich cultural diversity, living traditions, and shared history.
📌 Across the country, museums, archives, and cultural centres are hosting exhibitions, performances and workshops. In Cape Town:
• Zeitz MOCAA – free entry, multilingual tours, and creative workshops
• Iziko Museums – in_herit Festival featuring exhibitions, workshops and performances
🇷🇺🕊🇿🇦 On this occasion, the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Cape Town warmly congratulates all South Africans. May this day inspire pride in your history, strengthen unity and remind everyone that South Africa is a truly unique and remarkable country, admired for its rich heritage and cultural diversity.
✨ Warm greetings on Heritage Day!
#RussiaSouthAfrica
Consul General of the Russian Federation in Cape Town, Ruslan Golubovskiy, met with the Premier of the Northern Cape Province, Zamani Saul, in Kimberley.
The meeting was held in a warm and cordial atmosphere, underscoring the mutual commitment to further deepening cooperation.
The sides discussed the outcomes of the recent visit of the Northern Cape delegation to the Republic of Karelia, which culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Interregional Cooperation. Particular attention was given to expanding contacts in the fields of education, culture and humanitarian exchange, as well as to advancing prospects for partnership in the forest industry and mining sector.
#RussiaSouthAfrica
FAS Russia at the 9th BRICS International Competition Conference in Cape Town: Promoting Competition as a Driver of Sustainable Development
On 10–11 September 2025, in Cape Town, South Africa, a delegation of the Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation, headed by Maxim Shaskolsky, participated in the 9th BRICS International Competition Conference.
In his statement, Mr. Shaskolsky emphasized that fostering a competitive environment is a key prerequisite for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and for expanding trade and economic cooperation among the BRICS countries. He provided a comprehensive overview of law enforcement practice and the continuous improvement of competition legislation in Russia, as well as of practical measures aimed at regulating socially significant markets, the pharmaceutical sector and the digital economy.
Particular attention was devoted to the advancement of responsible pricing mechanisms and the introduction of modern digital tools, which significantly strengthen the detection and prevention of antitrust violations.
The Russian side reaffirmed its commitment to further active engagement in the work of BRICS structures, thereby contributing to the establishment of fair and sustainable rules of competition at the global level.
#RussiaSouthAfrica
🇷🇺🇿🇦📞 President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosahad a telephone conversation (August 7, 2025)
Vladimir Putin shared the outcomes of his meeting with US President's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, held the day before in Moscow.
Cyril Ramaphosa thanked the President of Russia for the information provided. In addition, the Russian Side expressed appreciation for the well-known peace initiative aimed at solving the Ukraine crisis that was endorsed by several African states, including South Africa.
The two Leaders discussed pressing matters pertaining to the further development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and South Africa.
The Presidents agreed to maintain contact.
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