The second ministerial conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum concluded in Cairo with the participation of representatives from more than 50 African countries. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Africa across a wide range of sectors.
Lavrov delivered a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin, praising Africa’s growing role in global affairs and noting that Russia has stepped up cooperation with African states in the areas of security, food security, and counterterrorism.
He stated that bilateral trade between Russia and Africa increased by 13 percent last year, reaching approximately $28 billion.
Lavrov also announced Russia’s intention to present a new three-year action plan for the partnership at the third Russia–Africa Summit, scheduled for next year.
For his part, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, the host of the conference, stressed the importance of the partnership in supporting Africa’s development agenda and the African Union’s Vision 2063, as well as its role in advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area and strengthening the economic sovereignty of African states.
