On December 13-14, St. Petersburg hosts the 13th Asian Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club, titled “Russia and Asia in the Emerging International Order”. On December 13, the opening and the first session of the conference took place. The dynamics of Asia's development amidst rebuilding the international order was discussed during the first session .
Modern globalization has largely been a product of Asia’s rapid growth and relative international and political stability of this vast region. Even now, against the backdrop of the acute political and military conflict in Europe, Asia sets an example of the states’ ability to exercise restraint and cooperation. However, the general complexities of the current international order raise questions also for the Asian states. What is their role in today’s world? Can Asia be an example of cooperation without dividing lines? What does the growing propensity towards conflict in relations between Russia and the West, the United States and China mean for Asia itself?