Scientists from 25 countries discuss Global South cooperation at conference in Russia

The Lomonosov Moscow State University hosted the International Scientific and Practical Conference titled "Russia, Brazil, and Africa: Strengthening Cooperation of the Global South”. The event, held in a hybrid format, brought together over 110 scholars from 25 countries.

During the opening ceremony, Aleksander Berdnikov, Executive Secretary of the Russian-African Club at Moscow State University, highlighted the institution’s initiatives to preserve historical memory. As an example, he cited the installation of a monument in Moscow in 2024 dedicated to Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa (1994–1999) and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Roberto de Andrade Medronho, Rector of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, stated in his welcoming address that Russia, Brazil, and Africa have successfully fostered cooperation within BRICS and across the broader Global South. His colleague, Vice-Rector of the institution, Professor Papa Matar Ndiaye, invited all conference participants to the BRICS Universities Forum, which will take place in Brazil in 2025.

Professor Hisham Mohamed Abdelsalam, President of the Egyptian E-learning University, emphasised the deep historical ties between Moscow and Cairo. He also underlined Egypt’s role in developing the educational framework across Africa.

The event also featured a speech from Ethiopia’s representative, Yiheyis Aregu, Vice-President for Academic Affairs at Debre Markos University. He noted that Russia played a foundational role in establishing Ethiopia’s educational infrastructure, and the people of the republic remain deeply grateful for this support.

Following the opening ceremony, a plenary session commenced with a keynote address by Askar Akayev, a foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, professor at Moscow State University, and former President of Kyrgyzstan (1991–2005). He stressed that BRICS contributes to civilisational progress and that cooperation within the group helps member countries tackle global challenges.

Professor Rasigan Maharajh, Chief Director of the Institute for Economic Research on Innovation at the Tshwane University of Technology (South Africa), pointed out that BRICS+ represents 64 per cent of the world’s population, making collective solutions to global issues imperative. Raymond Nkwenti Fru, Senior Lecturer at Sol Plaatje University (South Africa), emphasised the importance of Africa’s independent development in a multipolar world.

The conference concluded with the youth session "The Tribune of Young Scientist" where researchers from Russia, Brazil, and Africa presented their studies and ideas.

The event was organised by the Faculty of Global Studies of the Moscow State University, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, the Russian-African Network University, the Russian-African Club of Moscow State University, and the International Club for Russian-Latin American Studies at Moscow State University.

Photo: Russian-African Club of Moscow State University