Russia promotes multipolar world order in 2024

According to a recent statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry (mid.ru/en), 2024 marks important achievements in implementing the foreign policy program approved by President Vladimir Putin in March 2023. Accordingly, Russia has been actively promoting a multipolar, equitable world order based on the principles of the United Nations Charter.

In relations with strategic partners, Russia-China bilateral trade reached a record $240 billion, with 95% of payments made in national currencies. President Putin's state visit to China in May 2024 elevated the comprehensive partnership between the two countries.

Relations with India also received a major boost after Prime Minister Modi's visit to Russia in July that year, paving the way for expanded cooperation in finance, investment, transport, energy, science and technology.

In the immediate vicinity, Russia has concluded bilateral security agreements with Belarus and North Korea. President Putin’s state visits to Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Vietnam have strengthened strategic partnerships with these countries, especially in the fields of energy, transport and industrial production.

A key highlight was the BRICS Summit in Kazan, chaired by Russia, with the participation of 36 countries and 6 multilateral organizations. The summit agreed on steps to reform the global monetary and financial architecture, establish a common cross-border transaction mechanism and establish a number of specialized working groups such as climate, sustainable development, nuclear medicine and transport.

In the economic and trade sphere, the North-South International Transport Corridor (NSITC) project has made significant progress. Strategic decisions have been made to develop the Rasht-Astara section and the Iranian railway network. Russia has also established new special economic zones with Iran, India and Kazakhstan, and established the International Alliance of NSITC Special Economic Zones.

Within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) under the leadership of Russia, cooperation in the energy and chemical industry is being actively promoted. The Agreement on Free Trade in Services, Establishment, Operation and Investment in the CIS has entered into force. Seven joint statements at the level of heads of state and foreign ministers have been adopted on current international issues.

For the Muslim world, relations were strengthened through the UAE President's visit to Russia last October. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attended the 7th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Meeting and visited Qatar, UAE, contributing to finding solutions to hotspots such as Palestine-Israel, Yemen, Sudan and Syria.

In relations with Africa, the first ministerial-level Russia-Africa Partnership Forum was held in November 2024, focusing on food security, personnel training, mineral extraction, digital transformation and other areas. Russia also delivered 200 tons of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and chaired the 6th meeting of the Moscow Format Consultative Conference on Afghanistan.

In an effort to promote people-to-people exchanges, Russia has expanded the list of countries that are granted e-visas and visa-free travel for Georgian citizens. The pilot project "House of Russia" has been launched with the first 17 agreements signed with organizations from many countries such as Algeria, Bolivia, Iraq, Mali, UAE, Thailand and others.

As for the West, amid sanctions and increased pressure, Russia has maintained dialogue with a number of NATO and EU countries such as Austria, Hungary, Malta, Slovakia, the United States, Turkey, Germany, as well as the Vatican and Switzerland. Russia has stressed that the Ukrainian conflict can only be resolved by eliminating the security threats posed by NATO's eastward expansion and ensuring the rights of Russian speakers.