Director of the Institute for African Studies Irina Abramova Moderated Two Sessions at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

From June 18 to 21, 2025, the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) took place in St. Petersburg, serving as a key event on the global business agenda. The main theme of this year’s forum was “Shared Values: the Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World,” with a focus on finding common ground amid global turbulence, rethinking cooperation models, and building the foundations for sustainable development.

Irina Abramova, Director of the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), member of the RAS Presidium, Corresponding Member of the RAS, Doctor of Economics, and Professor, served as moderator for two major sessions:

1. “New Solutions in Agriculture: The Keys to Global Food Security”

Broadcast: https://forumspb.com/en/programme/business-programme/145539/

Held on June 19 from 11:00 to 12:15, this session was dedicated to the introduction of breakthrough technologies and scientific advancements into the agro-industrial sector to strengthen global food security.

Participants in the discussion included:

• Elena Baturova, Deputy Chairman of the Board, Russian Agricultural Bank
• Andrey Guryev, President, Russian Association of Fertilizer Producers (RAFP)
• Eric Monchu Intong, Group Managing Director, African Export-Import Bank
• Maxim Kolesnikov, First Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation
• Anna Kudinova, Executive Director, ExactFarming
• Pavel Lyakhovich, Member of the Management Board, Executive Director, SIBUR
• Vasily Osmakov, First Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation
• Vitaliy Sergeychuk, Member of the Management Board, VTB Bank
• Elena Fastova, First Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation

Key topics included:

• Which breakthrough technologies are already transforming the agro-industrial sector, and what innovations await us in the next 5–10 years?
• How does digitalization help reduce crop losses and optimize logistics?
• What government incentives are most effective in promoting innovation in agriculture?
• How can private investment be attracted to agri-tech startups despite the sector’s high risks?
• How can we train a new generation of specialists for the agro-industry of the future?

2. “Russia–Africa Business Dialogue”

Broadcast: https://forumspb.com/en/programme/business-programme/145595/

Held later the same day from 17:00 to 18:15, this session went beyond a standard business discussion. It focused on a broad range of questions, including:
• What has changed in Russia–Africa relations over the past year, both organizationally and substantively?
• Have real achievements been made in trade, economics, science, and education?
• What challenges and vulnerabilities remain, and how can they be addressed?
• What were the outcomes of the first ministerial conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum?
• How is the preparation for future Russia–Africa forums progressing?

Participants included:
• Hawa Aw, Executive Secretary, Liptako-Gourma Authority (LGA)
• Lam Akol Ajawin, Minister of Transport of the Republic of South Sudan
• NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber
• Salim Ismael Vala, Minister of Planning and Development of the Republic of Mozambique
• Nikita Gusakov, Senior Vice President, Russian Export Center; Chief Executive Officer, EXIAR
• Tatiana Dovgalenko, Head of the Secretariat, Russia-Africa Partnership Forum; Director of the Department of Partnership with Africa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
• Dmitry Konyaev, General Director, URALCHEM
• Vladimir Litvinenko, Rector, Saint-Petersburg Mining University
• Anastasia Pavlenko, Deputy Executive Director, Director for Strategic Partnerships, Innopraktika
• Mikhail Rybnikov, Chief Executive Officer, Member of the Board of Directors, Member of the Management Board, PhosAgro
• Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso, Minister of International Cooperation and Promotion of Public-Private Partnership of the Republic of Congo
• Georgy Smirnov, General Director, Nordgold Management
• Timur Shamsutdinov, General Director of Foreign Economic Activity, Polyplast Group of Companies

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With her deep expertise in African studies and international economics, Irina Abramova ensured the discussions were both substantive and dynamic, bringing together representatives of Russian and international diplomatic and ministerial institutions, business leaders, experts, and global organizations.

As the forum unfolded, it clearly highlighted the growing importance of Africa in Russia’s foreign economic and humanitarian agenda, as well as the crucial role of science in strengthening cooperation with the Russian Federation’s key international partners.