Valdai Club

Valdai Discussion Club & South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA)

Think Tank

The 3rd African Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club

Pretoria, South Africa

© Sputnik/Vitaly Belousov

On July 28, in Pretoria, South Africa, the Valdai Discussion Club in partnership with the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) held the 3^rd Russian-African Conference titled: “Realpolitik in a Divided World: Rethinking Russia-South Africa Ties in a Global and African Context”. The goal of the conference was to form and expand communities of African and Russian experts interested in cooperation, the confidential discussion of the most pressing international issues, and the preparation of recommendations for practical foreign policy work.

Materials

Prospects for the Development of Russian-African Relations

Shared historical memory, educational and scientific cooperation, as well as industrial cooperation are sine qua non for the progressive development of the Russian-African strategic partnership, Denis Degterev writes.

Humanitarian Cooperation and the Role of Historical Memory in Russian-South African Relations and Relations with Other African Countries

The history of relations between Russia, South Africa and other African countries can be considered in the context of different periods of Russia’s history, from tsarist times to modernity. In every era, we can attest to Moscow’s significant support for the continent, in many cases to the detriment of Russian interests, Adu Yao Nicaise writes.

Adu Yao Nicaise

Realpolitik in a Divided World. Results of the Third Russian-African Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club

On July 28, 2025, the Third Russian-African Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club was held in Pretoria, South Africa. The title was “Realpolitik in a Divided World: Rethinking Russia-South Africa Ties in a Global and African Context”. The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) was the Valdai Club's partner in organising the conference.

BRICS as a Brand and Its African Dimension

The participation of African countries in BRICS provides them with the opportunity to garner significantly more clout in international affairs, while promoting issues that are important for the continent with the backing of like-minded partners, write Mayya Nikolskaya and Alina Matveeva especially for the 3rd African Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club.

Mayya Nikolskaya, Alina Matveeva

South Africa and Russia: A Long-Lasting Legacy of Strategic Cooperation

A stronger South Africa – Russia partnership will be realised not through mere rhetoric but through deliberate, strategic alignment founded on trust, shared values, and a mutual commitment to navigating the challenges and opportunities of a multipolar world.

Sanusha Naidu, Daria Zelenova

BRICS Summit in Rio: The African Vector of Global South Cooperation

For African states, the BRICS summit in Rio became another important stage in their strategy of defending the interests of the Global South, write Ekaterina Abramova, Tamara Andreeva, and Daria Zelenova.

Ekaterina Abramova, Tamara Andreeva, Daria Zelenova

Trump’s Policy Towards South Africa: In Search of Friends Among Foes

In light of Trump’s frantic attempts to reduce dependence on China in this area, he should have been courting Pretoria in every possible way for cooperation. Igor Istomin discusses why the United States is being openly confrontational instead.

Message from the Chairman

African Political Class

Statements that the old world order has collapsed and the new one is only just emerging have become a truism. At the same time, Africa shows us how this world order is emerging right before our eyes, at least in one part of the world. However, it is very closely connected with the rest of the world arena.

Andrey Bystritskiy

Programme of the 3rd Russia-Africa conference of the Valdai Club and the South African Institute of International Affairs

On July 28, in Pretoria, South Africa, the Valdai Discussion Club in partnership with the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) will hold the 3rd Russian-African Conference titled: “Realpolitik in a Divided World: Rethinking Russia-South Africa Ties in a Global and African Context”.

Realpolitik in a Divided World: Rethinking Russia-South Africa Ties in a Global and African Context. The Third Russian-African Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club

On July 28, in Pretoria, South Africa, the Valdai Discussion Club in partnership with the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) will hold the 3rd Russian-African Conference titled: “Realpolitik in a Divided World: Rethinking Russia-South Africa Ties in a Global and African Context”.

Photo

Photo Gallery: Fourth session of the Third Russia-Africa conference

Photo Gallery: Third session of the Third Russia-Africa conference

Photo Gallery: Second Session of the Third Russia-Africa conference

Photo Gallery: Opening and First Session of the Third Russia-Africa conference

Video

Humanitarian Cooperation and the Role of Historical Memory in Russia’s Relations With African Countries. Second Session of the Third Russia-Africa conference

28.07.2025

Realpolitik Responses in a Fractured World. Opening and First Session of the Third Russia-Africa conference

28.07.2025