December 9, 2024
Russia, Africa To Consider Expanding Use Of National Currencies

Russia, Africa To Consider Expanding Use Of National Currencies

Russia, Africa To Consider Expanding Use Of National Currencies

The first Russia-Africa ministerial conference took place on November 9-10 in Russia’s Sirius Federal Territory.

According to Anton Kobyakov, an Advisor to the Russian President and the Executive Secretary of the forum’s Organizing Committee, the conference was attended by delegations from 54 countries and 45 African ministers.

The participants of the second Russia-Africa ministerial conference consider it important to expand the use of national currencies in mutual trade and financial settlements, according to a joint statement released following the meeting on Monday.

“We note the importance of expanding the use of national currencies in trade and financial transactions between Russia and the states of the African continent,” the joint statement read.

In addition, the statement noted that Russia and the African countries are ready to establish a highest-level dialogue mechanism to coordinate efforts to combat terrorism and extremism.

“We confirm our readiness to establish a permanent Russian-African dialogue mechanism at the highest level, which will contribute to building peace, stability, and security, as well as coordinating efforts to combat terrorism and extremism, solve environmental problems, as well as issues related to food and information security,” the statement posted on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry read.

The cooperation between the African Union and the Collective Security Treaty Organization on regional security has serious potential, the document added.

“We emphasize the ongoing significant efforts of the African Union and the Collective Security Treaty Organization to promote and maintain regional security and stability and are convinced that cooperation between these organizations has serious potential,” the statement read.

According to the statement, the participants of the Russia-Africa ministerial conference positively assessed Moscow’s measures to promote counter-terrorism efforts on the African continent.

The document also said that during the Russia-Africa ministerial conference, the participants noted the intensification of bilateral cooperation within the framework of the Kimberley Process (KP) certification process.

“We note the intensification of constructive and fruitful bilateral cooperation within the framework of the Kimberley Process the only legitimate and universal international mechanism for regulating the global diamond industry to maintain stability in the precious stones market, and we also welcome the expansion of cooperation within the African Diamond Producers Association to ensure the sustainable development of the African diamond industry,” the statement read.

The statement underscored that the participants of the conference were satisfied with the strategic level of cooperation and the pace of implementation of the agreements of the two previous summits.

“We reaffirm our intention to continue strategic interaction to achieve a world order that would ensure international peace and security for all, equal development opportunities for all states, and the preservation of their cultural and civilizational identity,” the document said.

According to the document, Russia and Africa intend to create a common information space to achieve free distribution of reliable materials.

“We confirm the importance of joint efforts aimed at promoting the dissemination of information that contributes to the strengthening of international peace and mutual understanding, the development of friendly relations between states, and the strengthening of traditional values ​​as a unifying principle for humanity,” the statement read.

The participants of the first Russia-Africa ministerial conference called for the lifting of unilateral sanctions in all areas of international relations, the statement said.

“We condemn the use of unilateral measures and urge not to allow the use of any means of arbitrary or unjustified discrimination or political pressure,” the document noted.

In addition, Russia and African countries expressed their concern about the situation in Lebanon because of Israeli attacks on the Arabic country’s civil infrastructure.

“We express our concern about the situation in Lebanon. We condemn Israeli attacks on residential areas of Lebanon, which have resulted in deaths among civilians and extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, and call for an immediate cessation of hostilities,” the statement posted on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry read.

Russia, Africa To Consider Expanding Use Of National Currencies