Stavropol (UNA) – Representatives of government authorities, business and scientific communities discussed issues related to opportunities and challenges of the North Caucasus region at a number of expert platforms and round tables.
This annual forum, held by the North Caucasus Institute, is a space for discussing the use of the competitive potential of the North Caucasus regions to integrate into the global system.
“The forum topics address the main priority issues of Russia and the North Caucasus. The forum is a platform for dialogue between the authorities, business, scientific and civil societies of the North Caucasus, which traditionally includes representatives of the scientific community, ministries and departments of the federal level, as well as constituent entities of the Russian Federation included in the North Caucasus Federal District, and foreign experts,” explained the Director of the North Caucasus Institute – RANEPA Branch, Member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation Azamat Tlisov.
The main topics of the forum this year are the hospitality industry, humanitarian cooperation with the countries of the Middle East, Africa and Asia, access to foreign markets, effective management of the spatial development of cities and rural areas, and protection of Russia's national interests in a changing world order.
During the forum, Mozambique showed great interest in launching direct flights to Moscow and other Russian cities, according to Mozambique's Ambassador to Russia, José Mateus Moaria Catova.
“I would really like to see Aeroflot flights launched from Moscow or Mineralnye Vody to [Mozambique’s capital] Maputo,” the diplomat said in press statements on the sidelines of the forum.
According to him, the lack of direct flights between Russia and many countries of the African continent, including Mozambique, “now represents a challenge for the development of cooperation.”
Kenya also intends to intensify cooperation with the Russian Federation in the areas of nuclear and renewable energy.
“I see how far Russia is progressing in economic matters, and this is another sector where we can develop together. Especially nuclear energy. There is also the development of solar energy,” Kenyan Ambassador to Russia Peter Mutuku Matuki told reporters.
For his part, the Ambassador of the Republic of India to the Russian Federation, Vinay Kumar, stressed that India's need for Russian fertilizers for the agricultural sector is very great.
“We buy soybean products and we want to buy fertilizers,” he added. “We are ready to buy the volume of fertilizers that you can offer us. India has a population of 1.5 billion, so our demand for such fertilizers is huge.”
In turn, the Ambassador of the Republic of Mauritius to Russia, Hisvar Janki, said, “Africa should be a partner with Russia. We have resources, and Russia has opportunities that it can use as a lever to boost the entire African economy. (…) We are looking for partners, investors and a mutually beneficial situation. Russia should develop its own strategy on how to cooperate in the field of cooperation with these countries (Africa).”
“Protecting Russia’s national interests in a changing world order requires an integrated approach, including political, economic, military and information measures. In a multipolar environment, every step of the country in the international arena is of particular importance, and Russia’s future, role and influence in the world depend on our ability to flexibly and effectively respond to challenges,” said Nouf Ibrahim, Director of International Projects at Russia Today and Sputnik International Media Group, Assistant to the Chairman of the Presidium of the International Public Chamber.
Deputy Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the North Caucasus Federal District Vladimir Naditko stressed that “the issues being raised are very relevant for our region and the country.”
He noted that the North Caucasus region is one of the priority geostrategic regions, adding: “Very important areas of development for our country are being implemented here. A very important area today is interethnic unity and interethnic harmony. This direction for the Caucasus has always been a priority, and friendship of our peoples, friendship and cohesion with our fraternal peoples will occupy the first place on the agenda of the authorities.”
In addition, as part of the youth program, a presentation of social projects “Changing the World Together” was held, where students from the North Caucasus presented their projects aimed at improving the environment and humanitarian cooperation between the youth of the North Caucasus, the Middle East and Africa.
The Forum is held annually by the North Caucasus Institute, with the support of the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the North Caucasus Federal District and the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.
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