The conference was opened by D.V. Bobrov, First Vice-Rector of RSUH, with V.I. Zabotkina, Acting Vice-Rector of the University, serving as the moderator.
A welcoming address to the participants was delivered by S.V. Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, which was read out by T.E. Dovgalenko, Director of the Department for Cooperation with Africa of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
The conference featured speeches by V.M. Polozkov, Secretary-General of the Russian Association for International Cooperation (RAIC); A.O. Chubaryan, Chairman of the Russian Historical Society and Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences; V.M. Platonov, President of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce; and 27 other speakers, most of whom were African ambassadors.
F.M. Mukhametshin, Director of the International Russian-Arab Center at the University, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, and Doctor of Political Sciences, also spoke at the conference.
F.M. Mukhametshin noted that the conference’s agenda, *"Russia – Africa: New Horizons of Cooperation,"* is highly relevant and facilitates the expansion and strengthening of the University’s international cooperation with African countries, revitalizing inter-university ties by establishing direct links between RSUH and educational institutions in African and Arab states.
The speaker emphasized that deepening Russia’s engagement with African nations and Arab states is one of the priorities of Russian foreign policy.
"Today, in challenging times marked by crises in international relations, our cooperation takes on special significance. Russia and the friendly nations of Africa and the Islamic world are united not only by a shared commitment to fostering closer ties through equitable dialogue and partnership but also by a focus on expanding collaboration in numerous areas:
- Strengthening the spiritual and moral values traditional to our countries;
- Promoting cultural diversity and civilizational dialogue;
- Deepening humanitarian cooperation, youth exchanges, and student mobility;
- Enhancing information flows and communications, among others."
F.M. Mukhametshin highlighted that two days prior, he had been on a business trip to Kazan, where he participated in:
- The KazanForum 2025 International Economic Forum "Russia – Islamic World" (May 14–17), which brought together delegates from 103 countries, including many African nations;
- The meeting of the Strategic Vision Group "Russia – Islamic World" (May 15–16) under the agenda "Russia’s and Islamic Countries’ Experience in Youth Policy: Common Challenges and Joint Actions." The meeting involved 125 Russian and foreign members of the Group, leaders of religious administrations, honorary guests, and representatives from 34 diplomatic missions of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states accredited to Russia, including several ambassadors from African countries.
Over two days, a plenary session and two panel discussions were held, featuring 37 reports. Speakers included M.Sh. Khusnullin, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the International Economic Forum; Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia; M.M. Magomedov, Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration and Chairman of the Presidium of the Presidential Council for Nationalities; Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan; M.S. Tekaya, Deputy Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation; and other Russian and foreign participants.
Today, the Strategic Vision Group "Russia – Islamic World" serves as a unifying international dialogue platform, organizing over a dozen major regional and international events annually.
In conclusion, F.M. Mukhametshin urged ambassadors from African countries to visit the University more frequently and, together with the University’s leadership, language departments, and centers, engage with students to acquaint them with the history and culture of their nations.
