By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in St. Petersburg, Russia, to lead South Africa’s participation in the 2nd Russia-Africa Summit, which takes place on July 27- July 28.
Ramaphosa is accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor and Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
The summit, which aims to foster mutually beneficial cooperation and partnerships between Russia and the African continent, was first convened in October 2019, with a commitment to continue meeting every three years.
In a statement on Wednesday, The Presidency said the 2nd Summit is expected to consider four declarations and a three-year Action Plan, which will be presented for consideration.
“These submissions will focus on strengthening cooperation between Russia and African States in politics, security, trade, science, IT, humanitarian support, education, culture, sports, youth and the environment.
“The declarations seek to strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism, the prevention of an arms race in outer space and information security,” the Presidency said.
Scheduled side events at the summit will include an exhibition to showcase investment opportunities in Russia and Africa, an innovation space to demonstrate new technologies and a Business Development and Social Partnership Zone for networking between the heads of global corporations, government officials, business and the media.
The summit background will also offer an opportunity to African Heads of State, who are part of the African Leaders Peace Mission,to continue talks with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on the confidence-building measures that will create conducive conditions for a path to peace between Russia and Ukraine.
[ARRIVAL]: His Excellency President @CyrilRamaphosa arriving at Pulkovo International Airport in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, where he will be participating in the 2nd Russia-Africa Summit from 27- 28 July 2023.
The Summit aims to foster mutually beneficial cooperation… pic.twitter.com/4kEo3cNwI1
— Presidency | South Africa ?? (@PresidencyZA) July 26, 2023
Meanwhile African leaders will look to Putin for concrete promises on grain supplies.
Putin wrote in a pre-summit article on the Kremlin website that the arrangement had been “shamelessly” exploited by US and European trading firms and less than 3% of the grain shipped had reached the poorest countries — ignoring the wider effect of the deal in pushing down prices worldwide.
Putin says Russia is expecting a record harvest this year and is ready to fill the gap for African countries by supplying grain, both commercially and for free.
Russia has just more than 3-million tonnes of grain available in a state intervention fund, but Russian and foreign analysts said they expected only symbolic amounts to be dispersed free as aid.
Russia is already exporting record quantities of wheat, but says its ability to sell it internationally is hampered by Western sanctions affecting banking and insurance.