Gala reception in honour of participants in third Russia–Africa Summit

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

I would like once again to extend a most heartfelt welcome to all participants in the third Russia–Africa Summit and the Economic and Humanitarian Forum.

It is fair to say that our meetings in such a broad format have already become a good tradition and have rightfully taken a central place in the political calendar of Russian-African relations.

Today, heads of state and government, leading politicians and statesmen from almost all African countries, as well as heads of the executive bodies of the main African integration associations, have gathered here in the Kremlin. Such broad representation clearly demonstrates the firm determination of Russia and Africa to develop mutually beneficial ties, give fresh impetus to our partnership, and further expand and deepen our cooperation in the economic, political, security, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

I am confident that the current Moscow summit will be successful and highly productive, and that the decisions we adopt and the agreements we reach will lay a solid foundation for fruitful joint work for many years to come. This confidence is well founded. After all, Russian-African relations are built on time-tested traditions of sincere friendship and mutual assistance, respect and equality, solidarity and trust.

In its day, the Soviet Union rendered immense assistance to the peoples of Africa in liberating themselves from the shackles of colonial dependence and in strengthening their sovereignty and national security, and supported the development of agriculture and energy, as well as the construction of new industrial plants, roads, schools and hospitals, which played a major role in overcoming the acute socioeconomic challenges facing the young African nations.

Hundreds of thousands of Africans received a high-quality education and advanced knowledge in the USSR and then in Russia, becoming highly qualified specialists in the professions most sought-after in their national economies. They brought – and still bring – invaluable benefits to their homelands. Our country continues, and will continue, this well-established practice of training African specialists.

Importantly, Russia and Africa are united in their commitment to a fair and multipolar world order, free from diktat and based on the sovereign equality of states and respect for their values and cultures.

We work closely together at many international forums, including the UN, and coordinate our positions on key global and regional issues. Russia seeks to make a real contribution to resolving the problems facing Africa, to take an active part in resolving current crises and preventing new hotbeds of tension on the continent, to help in the fight against terrorism and extremism, epidemics and hunger, and to ensure food, digital and environmental security.

Africans have a good saying: when the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind. Indeed, however the world changes, whatever the political or economic situation, the spirit and principles of Russia’s relations with African countries remain unchanged. We are true friends and partners, always open to honest and constructive cooperation, who know how to listen and to hear each other. This makes it possible to build up cooperation consistently in all areas, to find effective responses to the key challenges and threats of our time, and to promote shared growth for the benefit of our countries and peoples.

Allow me to propose a toast: to the heads of state of the African countries and the heads of African integration associations present here; to the further growth of full-scale cooperation between Russia and the states of the African continent; to the well-being, peace and future prosperity of our countries and peoples; and to the health of all the participants in the Moscow summit.

Thank you for your attention.