Russia and ASEAN strengthen strategic partnership with Kazan Declaration

The fifth anniversary Russia–Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit has concluded in Kazan. The meeting was dedicated to the 35th anniversary of relations between the parties. Following the talks, a package of documents was adopted, including the Kazan Declaration “ASEAN – Russian Federation: Unity in Diversity – 35 Years Together”, the Comprehensive Plan of Action for 2026–2030, as well as joint statements on cooperation in the fields of culture and energy.

Opening the plenary session, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that ASEAN enjoys authority not only in the Asia-Pacific region but throughout the world. According to him, Russia’s relations with the association are strategic in nature and serve as a stabilising factor in the region. His remarks were published on the Kremlin website.

"The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has withstood the test of time, building a system of cooperation between states founded on universally recognised norms of international law and mutual respect for each other’s interests. [...] Our cooperation demonstrates clear results. We have developed a robust legal and regulatory framework to govern our relations, as well as an extensive network of joint mechanisms. We have launched new dialogue platforms. We have expanded the scope of practical cooperation in such areas as trade and investment, energy, agriculture, digitalisation, science and technology, tourism, and humanitarian contacts more broadly"

Vladimir Putin President of the Russian Federation

The summit was co-chaired by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos, which holds the ASEAN Chairmanship this year. He outlined three priorities for future cooperation.

"First, peace, security and stability. [...] We need our joint efforts to contribute to peace and security and to respond promptly to all threats. Second, a more dynamic economic partnership. Our areas of cooperation in trade are developing. We need to act more ambitiously and decisively in order to facilitate trade, economic flows and the expansion of the business community. [...] And third, perhaps one of the most important areas, is our peoples, grants, student exchanges, academic partnerships and tourism. [...] The relationships that are being built between our countries are reflected in the summit declaration, and they provide what policy alone cannot achieve"

Ferdinand Marcos President of the Republic of the Philippines

During the session, the Kazan Declaration was adopted, setting out a shared vision of a peaceful and stable future for the region. The parties reaffirmed their support for ASEAN centrality, as well as their commitment to the Charter of the United Nations (UN) and international law. In the field of security, particular attention was given to maritime cooperation, the protection of underwater infrastructure, biosafety and combating cybercrime. The economic section covers cooperation in energy, agriculture, digitalisation, and artificial intelligence. Partnership with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was also endorsed.

Joint statements on energy and culture were also adopted. The energy document formalises cooperation in the oil and gas sectors, renewable energy, hydrogen energy, and nuclear energy, including small modular reactors. The parties agreed to improve connectivity and infrastructure and deepen institutional ties. The statement on culture provides for intercultural dialogue, cooperation in cinematography and museum activities, as well as the digitisation of heritage. The new Comprehensive Plan of Action to Implement ASEAN – Russian Federation Strategic Partnership (2026–2030) will serve as the roadmap for implementing the decisions.

Photo: kremlin.ru

“Our meeting took place in a friendly and business-like atmosphere. [...] During the summit, many constructive ideas and useful practical proposals were put forward regarding the intensification of partnership in the economic sphere. Participants expressed support for both qualitative and quantitative growth in mutual trade, improvements in its structure, and the expansion of reciprocal investment,” Putin said in a statement to the press summarising the results of the summit.

The Russia–ASEAN Summit was held in Kazan on 17–18 June. Delegations from all 11 member states of the association took part: Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Timor-Leste, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, and the Philippines.