The annual jubilee meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club commenced in Sochi, featuring experts and high-ranking guests from various countries. This twentieth congress of experts and guests aims to delve into the theme of "fair multipolarity" over a four-day duration.
During the event, experts will analyze a spectrum of pressing issues, ranging from the risks of a global nuclear conflict to the prospects of BRICS as a prototype for a new world order. The Ukrainian problem will also be on the agenda for the annual gathering, according to the organizers.
Andrey Bystritsky, Chairman of the Board of the Valdai Foundation for Development and Support, clarified that the primary focus of the meeting is to deliberate upon the platform on which the modern world can evolve. This evolution aims to ensure equitable security across various domains, encompassing defense, energy, food, and education. Bystritsky emphasized the keen interest of intellectuals from a diverse array of countries in such international discourse, highlighting its significance during times of crisis. He stated, "In times of crisis, it is very important not to shy away from critical issues, but rather to engage in open discussions and gauge the pulse of ongoing developments."
Risks and prospects
During the first day of the event, participants will have the opportunity to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The initial discussions will revolve around significant topics on the international agenda, specifically nuclear security and the global restructuring of the world, exemplified by structures like BRICS. Against the backdrop of increasing international tensions, the Valdai Club noted that public discourse has witnessed heightened attention to the possibility and legality of using nuclear weapons. This discourse unfolds in the context of a confrontation between two major nuclear powers, Russia and the United States, and the near-complete dismantling of confidence-building measures in this domain. Questions regarding how to prevent unmanageable escalation and establish a new system of interaction will be examined.
Moreover, experts intend to delve into the prospects of the recent expansion of BRICS. The Valdai Club posits that this organization holds the potential to serve as a tool for shaping a new world order. They emphasize the intriguing nature of the BRICS association and its capacity to be instrumental in shaping the future global order. The discussions in Sochi will encompass various aspects of BRICS development, including the potential for expanding the association. Bystritsky emphasized that there is a demand for novel types of organizations and regulatory mechanisms, with BRICS serving as one such mechanism that harmonizes the interests of member countries for each nation's benefit. Notably, representatives from newly admitted BRICS members, namely Egypt, Iran, and Ethiopia, will be present at the Sochi meeting.
The Ukrainian issue will also be addressed at the Valdai meeting. Participants will evaluate the impact of the Ukrainian conflict on the region during a special session titled 'The Space of the Former Soviet Union - Lessons of the Past and Future.' Additionally, the gathering will examine how the Ukrainian conflict influences the lives of Russians in a session entitled 'Russian Society in the Age of Transformation.'
Geography of participation
This year's Valdai Club meeting will witness the participation of 140 experts, politicians, and diplomats hailing from 42 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America. Notable attendees include Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Hassan Sheikholeslami, Venezuelan Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Ron, and Constantin Starysh, a member of the Moldovan Parliament and Secretary of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, Defense, and Public Order. Western countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, and France, will also be represented. Fyodor Lukyanov, Director of Research at the Valdai Foundation for Development and Support, anticipates that this year's meeting may be the most diverse in recent memory.
The specific format of Russian President Vladimir Putin's participation in this year's Valdai meeting has not been disclosed, although the Russian leader is a traditional guest of the club. In the previous year, the meeting involving the President extended for over 3.5 hours. Typically, the head of state delivers an opening speech outlining the program and subsequently engages in a Q&A session with club participants.
While sessions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are typically held in a closed setting, he often shares the outcomes with journalists and responds to questions following the meeting. The organizers have also pledged that the session titled "Science and Education in the Era of Confrontation" will feature addresses by Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation Andrey Fursenko and Ruslan Yunusov, co-founder of the Russian Quantum Center. They will present Russia's experiences in adapting to the cessation of educational exchanges and scientific and technological cooperation.
Expertise with a track record
Throughout the four-day meeting, the Valdai Club has planned 17 sessions that will delve into a wide array of topics, encompassing nuclear weapons, food security, the global economy, energy, humanitarian concerns, and more. The grand finale, and the most extensive session, will be a special one titled "Valdai 20 Years: Memories of the Future." This session is anticipated to adopt an open discussion format, with Andrey Bystritsky posing questions to the attendees in the hall.
Participating in the "Big Valdai" session will be individuals who were present at the inaugural Valdai conference in 2004. This distinguished group includes Fyodor Lukyanov, Sergey Karaganov, Director of Research at the Department of World Economy and World Politics at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, Alexander Prokhanov, Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper Zavtra, and Richard Sakwa, Professor of Russian and European Politics at the University of Kent. While they will indeed reflect on the past, their primary objective will be to provide insights into the future, as conveyed by the Valdai Club to TASS.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Valdai Club
Based on materials from TASS