Russia-Africa Summit: Heads of State call for solutions to address food, energy security

When Russian President Vladimir Putin posed for a photo with several African leaders who attended the inaugural Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi in 2019. [File, Standard]

African heads of State attending the 2023 edition of the Russia-Africa Summit have pledged to make joint efforts to ensure long-term food and energy security of the African continent.

While expressing deep concern over the challenges related to global food security, including the rise in food and fertilizer prices, as well as the disruption of international supply chains which disproportionately impact the African continent, the leaders said they will strengthen cooperation in countering unlawful unilateral restrictive measures placing African countries at risk of food and energy shortages.

In a communique to newsrooms, the leaders adapted the willingness to reconcile approaches to energy cooperation issues, with a focus on finding pragmatic, efficient, consensual and sustainable solutions to ensure energy security, access to modern and clean energy sources, eradicate energy poverty and overcome energy shortage.

They welcomed the determination of the Russian Federation to continue providing assistance to African States in order to address issues related to the provision of food, fertilizers and energy resources, as well as carry out international development assistance projects.

The leaders however maintained that the continent will continue to seek internal solutions to its problems.

In a declaration of resolutions of the second summit hosted by President Vladimir Putin, the African states said although they will continue close cooperation to resolve and prevent conflicts, the principle of 'African solutions to African problems should continue to serve as basis for conflict resolution.

The heads of State and government of the Russian Federation and African States recognised by the United Nations (also referred to as the Russian Federation and African States), and representatives of the African Union and Africa's leading integration organisations, gathered on 28 July 2023 in Saint Petersburg (Russian Federation) to participate in the Second Russia-Africa Summit.

The summit aimed at building on the historical and time-tested friendly ties between the Russian Federation and African States, mutual respect and trust, traditions of joint struggle for the eradication of colonialism and the establishment of independence of African States.

While reaffirming the need to jointly oppose neo-colonialism, imposing conditions and double standards while not allowing these practices to deprive States and peoples of the right to make sovereign choices of their development paths the summit declared to strengthen the role of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum as the cornerstone of Russia-Africa multilateral cooperation that implements the decisions of the Summit.

With regards to Political and Legal Cooperation, the summit declared to enhance equal and mutually beneficial cooperation between the Russian Federation and African States in order to contribute to the establishment of a more just, balanced and stable multipolar world order, firmly opposing all types of international confrontation in the African continent.

The summit further affirmed the strengthening of cooperation between States to counter new challenges and threats, in particular terrorism and extremism.

This includes violent extremism conducive to terrorism, transnational organised crime, illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, piracy and armed robbery at sea.

According to the communique, the implementation of the cooperation will be based on strict compliance with the generally recognised principles and norms of international law, primarily the UN Charter and relevant UN Security Council resolutions taking into account the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

The summit will coordinate, within the United Nations Security Council, approaches towards sanctions policies with regard to African States, including with a view to further easing and lifting restrictive measures that are no longer relevant.

In the area of Trade and Economic Cooperation, the summit said it will encourage further strengthening of trade, economic, and investment cooperation between the Russian Federation and African States.

This will include facilitation of equitable access of all States to the benefits of the world economy and the international division of labour, as well as to modern technologies to support equitable and even development.

"We welcome the operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area in order to enhance the market integration, industrialisation and economic development of the African continent by facilitating technology transfer and encouraging investment," read the communique.

The summit will further develop cooperation in the field of education, facilitate participation in joint research projects, organisation of scientific conferences and seminars, expansion and deepening of collaboration between educational institutions of the Russian Federation and African States.

"We shall respect civilisational and national diversity of the Russian Federation and Africa, emphasize the uniqueness of the traditions and historical heritage of our peoples," read part of the communique.

The summit resolved to recognise the right of each State to choose its own best mechanisms and means for protecting and managing the environment, adapting to climate change and ensuring a just energy transition in line with national circumstances and capacities.

While affirming to step up efforts to combat the effects of climate change in Africa as one of the region most vulnerable to climate change, transfer relevant low-emission technologies, build the capacity of African States and enhance their ability to improve resilience and adapt to climate change, the summit said financing climate action should not increase the debt of African States or jeopardise their sovereignty.