X Annual International Forum "Primakov Readings"

On June 25–26, 2024, the Anniversary 10th International Scientific and Expert Forum “Primakov Readings” is held in Moscow at the World Trade Center. The theme of the Forum is “Russia in the Global Context”.

The event will be attended by Aide to the President of the Russian Federation Yury Ushakov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov, Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Konstantin Kosachev, CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev, as well as leading Russian and foreign experts in the field of international security, world politics and economics, representatives of public organizations, politicians and diplomats.

This autumn will be celebrated 95th anniversary of birth of Yevgeny Maksimovich Primakov. In light of this event, the main program of “Primakov Readings” will open with a session devoted to his scientific and political heritage.

The discussions at the Anniversary Forum will focus on the role of BRICS in the formation of a new global economic architecture, vectors of interaction between the countries of Greater Eurasia, security in the Baltic region and the impact of modern crises on the future contours of European security, as well as the role of culture in international relations.

“We have decided to devote the 10th Anniversary “Primakov Readings” to the theme “Russia in the Global Context”. What is the reason for this choice? In the past almost 10 years, we have discussed world problems: the risks of a return to confrontation, the horizons of post-globalization, the rise of Eurasia, the features of the post-COVID world, etc.

We warned about strategic miscalculations of the West regarding hopes for an economic catastrophe in Russia under the influence of a sanctions war unprecedented in modern history; the inviolability of a unipolar world order; the possibility of a global blockade of our export-oriented economy. Such “strategic insanity” is a consequence of linear thinking, misunderstanding of global shifts in the distribution of balances of power in the 21st century, and the elevation of Anglo-Saxon or European historical and political experience into an absolute.

The main surprise for our enemies was the fantastic stability of the Russian economy. I will take the liberty of asserting that today no other economy in the world, not even the Chinese one, could withstand such aggressive pressure. There is a feeling that experts in the West understand Russian realities less and less. They are looking, figuratively speaking, into the rearview mirror of their own rhetoric and propaganda.”

President of IMEMO Academician Alexander Dynkin

Opening Ceremony

Opening Remarks by Yury Ushakov, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Organizing Committee

Opening Remarks by Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

Opening Remarks by Alexander Dynkin, President of Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO), Full member of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Panel Discussion 1. Evgeny Primakov’s Ideas for the 21th century (on the occasion of the Evgeny Primakov’s 95th anniversary)

The 10th Primakov Readings Forum, the 95th anniversary of the birth of Evgeny Primakov, is a natural occasion to recall the ideas of this "great citizen of Russia", as Vladimir Putin called him, addressing our second Forum in 2016. Primakov Readings, initiated by the President of Russia as a tribute to the memory of the outstanding statesman, diplomat and scholar Evgeny Primakov, over the past 10 years has become Russia’s flagship platform for meaningful, professional discussion of the most pressing international issues. The next year after its launch, Primakov Readings became one of the top 10 most important world conferences according to the Think Tank and Civil Societies Program rating. A talented man and a bright thinker, Evgeny Primakov left a rich legacy in a wide range of fields: state building, science, foreign policy,economics, and journalism.

Moderator – Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

• Alexander Dynkin, President, Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO), Full member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation (1998–1999)
• Mikhail Zadornov, Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation (1997–1999)
• Anatoly Torkunov, Rector, MGIMO University; Full member of the Russian Academy of Sciences
• Sergey Katyrin, Chairman of the Board, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation
• Svetlana Sharenkova, Chairman, Bulgaria-Russia Forum, Bulgaria

Panel Discussion 2. BRICS: Towards a New Global Architecture

Today, the BRICS is a systemically important association of like-minded organizations that are building the foundation for a new, more just and equitable world order united by the common principles of spiritual and moral humanism, mutual respect, sovereign equality and civilizational diversity. Despite incessant attempts to discredit it, BRICS has not only flourished, offering new meaningful cooperation projects, but has also gained more weight and authority among the world’s majority countries, doubling its membership and becoming a factor of attraction for more than

two dozen countries. The opportunities for open and honest humanitarian dialog, the use of scientific and expert knowledge to improve the flexible mechanism of interaction between BRICS and BRICS Plus can advance us in terms of overcoming the seemingly insoluble knots of geopolitical contradictions and global confrontation. As an association of civilizations, with rich culture and traditions, BRICS can provide the much sought-after alternative within a fair and just world system.

Moderator – Vyacheslav Nikonov, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs

• Zhang Yuyan, Director, Institute of World Economy and Politics (IWEP), Chinese Academy of Social Science (CASS), China
• Tatyana Zhuravleva, Director General, Andrey Melnichenko Foundation
• Nandan Unnikrishnan, Distinguished Fellow, Observer Research Foundation (ORF), India
• Victoria Panova, Vice-Rector, HSE University; Head, BRICS-Russia Expert Council
• Ramzy Ezzeldine Ramzy, Ambassador of Egypt (Ret.), former ambassador of Egypt to Germany, Austria, Brazil, former Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations, Egypt

Speech by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexey Overchuk

Panel Discussion 3. Greater Eurasia Interaction Vectors

Increased competition and even manifestations of confrontation between the leading centers of power are becoming "the new normal" in a changing world. The United States and Western countries promote narratives at a global level that certain revisionists from Eurasia cause risks (to common rules, security, welfare, development). In fact, the region of Greater Eurasia has the potential to become the assembly point of a new global political and economic order. Much depends on the willingness of the Eurasian countries to ensure security and create rules (rather than simply adapting to the regimes and standards proposed by Western countries) and to strive for optimal, equal conditions for cooperation between partners that expand the range of development opportunities in the region. In the context of creating a new world order, it is essential to find development models that could collectively transform Greater Eurasia into a place of opportunities - a vast continent of stability, cooperation, and co-prosperity open to mutually beneficial international engagement.

Moderator – Sergey Lebedev, General Secretary, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

• Madhav Nalapat, Honorary Director, Department of Geopolitics and International Relations, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India (online)
• Xu Xiujun, Director of International Political Theory, Institute of World Economy and Politics (IWEP), Chinese Academy of Social Science (CASS), China
• Sergey Afontsev, Deputy Director, Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO); Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences
• Zarema Shaukenova, Vice-president, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan
• Akramjon Nematov, First Deputy Director, Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
• Elena Panina, Director, Institute for International Political and Economic Strategies - RUSSTRAT
• Artem Malgin, Vice-Rector for Strategic Development, MGIMO University

Panel Discussion 4. Polycentric Nuclear Order: Risks Uncontrolled

In recent years, there has been an increase in the risks associated with the possible collapse of nuclear arms control regimes and the emergence of preconditions for the disruption of strategic stability. The polycentric nature of the emerging world order has become more and more clearly manifested in the military-strategic sphere. The world has entered a new round of the nuclear arms race. The United States is striving to ensure that their nuclear arsenal will be capable of simultaneously deterring both Russia and China in the coming years. Russian nuclear forces have undergone significant modernization and face the need to deter NATO’s combined nuclear capabilities. China is slowly but surely building up its nuclear capabilities in an effort to close the gap with the leaders. Other nuclear powers are seeking to improve the survivability and range of their nuclear forces. At the same time, there is fewer and fewer preconditions for bilateral and multilateral dialogue in the field of arms control.

Moderator – Sergey Ryabkov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

• Alexey Arbatov, Head, Center for International Security, Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO); Full member of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS)
• Dmitry Trenin, Research Director, Institute of World Military Economy and Strategy, HSE University
• Rose Gottemoeller, Fellow, Center for International Security and Cooperation, Stanford University, USA (online)
• Sujan R. Chinoy, Director General, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis (MP-IDSA), India
• Feodor Voitolovsky, Director, Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO); Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences