The Russian Geographical space… enhancing regional and international presence based on the civilization diversity in Russia

It seems that the regional and international roles of establishing and hosting forums and events in Russia have accelerated recently, in light of facing international challenges, thus, Russia’s continued strengthening of the focus on the Russian interior by shedding more light and attention to the need to have an international outlook towards Russia and enhance cooperation, with it are associated in various regions in Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia is active on globalizing its space, by introducing the international community to all parts of Russia, each part of which has capabilities, resources and an important strategic location on the map of the economy, development and international politics.

It seems that October, which witnesses the holding of the 16th BRICS Summit with all that it means and will be announced during the summit, was also a month full of two important events.

The first event was held on October 4-5, 2024, the International Forum of the North Caucasus Region under the slogan of “New Geostrategic Opportunities”.

This forum was held in the cities of Pyatigorsk and Zheleznovodsk, with the participation of numerous delegations from Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Syria, Iran, Iraq and South Ossetia.

The second was hosting the first international business forum between Russia and the African continent, which bore the slogan “Made in Africa”, with more than 500 participants from Russia and 20 African countries.

The first forum of its kind discussed prospects for cooperation between Russia and Africa, reviewed mutual investment opportunities, and identified the main areas for developing trade relations between Russia and African countries.

The forum was organized in cooperation between the Russia-Africa Club, Moscow State University, Patrice Lumumba People’s Friendship University in Russia, the African Business Club, and the Russian Peace Foundation.

Discussion seminars and workshops were held at the forum.

The forum also witnessed the opening of a trade and cultural exhibition in which more than ten countries participated, and during which agricultural products, cosmetics, handicrafts, and Russian and African tourism were displayed, and also witnessed the signing of several contracts and agreement for the supply of products from Russia to Africa and vice versa.

Returning to the International Forum for the North Caucasus Region topic, the Forum was organized by the North Caucasus Institute of RANEPA with the support of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the North Caucasus Federal District.

This is an annual event where diplomats, government and public figures, scientists from all regions of the North Caucasus and different countries meet to exchange opinions.

Also, within the framework of the Forum, a Youth Day is traditionally held with competitions of student projects and master classes.

The delegation of 15 members of the Chamber was headed by the Chairman of the Presidium of the International Public Chamber of the 2020-2025 convocation Alexander Olshevsky.

Mr. Olshevsky, delivered a report at the plenary session on the topic “Strategic resource of “soft power” of the North Caucasus in building a multipolar world”, as a moderator held a sectional round table “Humanitarian cooperation with the countries of the Middle East, Africa and Asia”, took part in award ceremonies for honored diplomats and clergymen, in the assessment of students’ competition works, and also met with foreign guests and representatives of the diplomatic corps.

In total, representatives of 20 countries took part in the Forum, both in person and in absentia, including 5 of them at the ambassadorial level – India, Syria, Kenya, Mozambique and Mauritius.

All participants noted the friendly and constructive atmosphere of the past events, the high level of desire for dialogue.

The organizers and guests expressed their deep gratitude to the International Public Chamber and its leadership for their significant support in preparing and holding the events, as well as their constant attention to the regions of the North Caucasus and the initiatives of the Caucasian youth.

It is clear from the momentum of the events that Russia hosted or participated in, specifically during the period following the events in Ukraine, and the confrontation is almost direct between the West and Russia that followed, with the imposition of sanctions and attempts at isolation, that all of this did not affect Russia in the way that Western countries had hoped, but rather the opposite, which is evident from Russian participation in international events and the continuation of Russian diplomacy in playing its role parallel to its size and international status in dealing with many issues in a world seething with escalation, wars, and the killing of innocents with Western weapons.

It can be said without exaggeration that after three years of fighting and pressure, Russia is still doing well and is making steady progress towards strengthening its international position, which is on the path to achieving justice and balance within a new multipolar global system that ends the monopoly of the United States.

It has become clear that the Russian strategy of openness and enhancing cooperation with the countries of the world, through hosting forums of various fields within an integrated calendar, and the wonderful thing about this matter is the diversity in terms of the place where these forums are held, and it is a step in the right direction that ends the stereotype that Russia is limited to a few large cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg, and here we see the Russian space in its entirety, as the North Caucasus region comes at the forefront of these regions with all its weight and historical, civilizational, cultural and human legacy.

Of course, who knows the North Caucasus region, which is located in southern Russia at the summit of Mount Elbrus, the second highest peak in Europe, with a biosphere extending from the Caspian Sea region in the east to the Black Sea region and the Sea of ​​Azov, which has become a purely Russian sea.

The North Caucasus, with its geostrategic importance, as it overlooks Russia’s sea outlet to the warm seas, makes this region at the center of all development plans, projects, trade lines and supply chains between the East and the West, and between the North and the South.

Therefore, it was necessary for delegations from different parts of that region to attend, given the intersection and convergence of interests with Russia as a whole and this important region in particular.

In addition to that, there is a focus on benefiting from the heritage, nature and history of the North Caucasus region, which is one of Russia’s major connections with the Arab and Islamic world.

One of the most important points that Russia attaches importance to in shedding light on the North Caucasus region greatly serves Russia and the region, considering that it constitutes a continuation of efforts to bring this region out of the past dark era that it witnessed of difficult economic conditions, extremism and terrorism, as most of the North Caucasus Federal Republics have today become among the most important distinguished tourist, commercial, cultural and educational destinations.

Based on that, efforts are being continued to enhance the position of this vital region within the Russian space first, and within the regional environment, reaching the international environment, by establishing this region to be one of the nodes and a gathering center for economic and social activities in various fields.

The efforts currently being made, and establishing the holding of events in the North Caucasus region, will contribute greatly to improving the economic conditions there.

These efforts will also enhance the opportunities of the North Caucasus region to be one of the most important sources of interest, based on its richness in diverse resources and opportunities in a large number of fields, such as Agricultural, industrial, production, services, and transportation, all the way to diverse activities, tourism, education, culture, arts, and sports.

Taking responsibility for giving this region and its peoples the opportunity to achieve more stability and prosperity, giving more opportunities to the talents and abilities hidden in the peoples of the North Caucasus and strengthening their communication with their counterparts from other countries and cultures, will undoubtedly contribute to strengthening and enhancing Russia’s regional and international presence.

This vital region, with all its heritage and status, will be the crown jewel of Russia’s image and presence in a renewed multipolar world, add to that the most important factor which was proven by time, as historical experiences have proven that the stability and prosperity of the Caucasus region is a measure of Russia’s stability and prosperity as a whole.