Latest news with #AntonKobyakov
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
St Petersburg's serene splendour belies a nation at war
Russia's cultural capital St Petersburg exudes peace and beauty, masking the harsh reality of a country entangled in conflict. The captivating sense of calmness, the throngs of people milling about and the huge traffic volumes throughout St Petersburg belies the reality that Russia is in a state of war. St Petersburg is a sprawling cosmopolitan city. It is regarded as the mecca of Russia's culture and heritage, an epicentre of values as well as a haven of Russia's rich history. The city of Peter the Great The identity of being Russian can be easily located to a way of life in the majestic St Petersburg, sometimes referred to affectionately as 'St P'. Museums and art galleries decorate the city founded by Peter the Great in the 17th century. Born in Moscow in 1672, Peter the Great was first the Tsar of Russia and later became Russia's first Emperor from 1721 until his death in 1725, aged only 52 years and four months. His statue riding a horse overlooks the majestic Neva River around which St Petersburg is built. The architecture of the multi-storey buildings is clearly influenced by two factors – war and weather. Weather extremes and river life shape the urban experience Perimeter walls are as wide as nearly one metre. Ferocious winter weather, particularly around January to March, can see temperatures dropping to as low as -35°C. However, in the present summer season, dozens of boats travel with the Neva River's current in one direction, forming a beautiful flotilla. At times they travel pretty close to each other ferrying holiday makers from one end to the other. From Leningrad to modern St P: a city steeped in legacy and economics The metropolis was previously known as Leningrad until it was renamed back to its original name in modernity. ALSO READ: Anton Kobyakov: The quiet power behind Putin's Russia It plays host to the annual St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Russia's flagship trade and investment mega event. This year, up to 24 000 delegates from 144 countries participated in SPIEF, signing deals to the tune of 6.3 trillion roubles (about R1.4 trillion), according to the organisers. South Africa's delegation was led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, accompanied by eight ministers and business leaders. Mashatile delivered a public lecture at St Petersburg State University, the alma mater of legendary Russian leader Lenin, as well as the incumbent, President Vladimir Putin. Sacred scars St Petersburg also has a proud history of resistance. At its centre in Isak Square lies the famous Cathedral of St Isaac. The majestic cathedral is worshipped for surviving 148 bombs fired by Hitler's Nazi Germany's army that attacked during WWII from 1939-1945. Some of the cathedral's huge pillars bear evidence of the scars from the bomb attacks. The Russian authorities have elected to leave the pillars unrepaired as a symbol and constant reminder of the spirit of resilience. A law-abiding city Standing in front of the cathedral and facing the nearby Presidential Library, hundreds of vehicles can be seen throughout the six-lane wide roads. Men, women and children chill in the leafy parks. Everything looks oh so plush. Clearly-marked police vehicles incessantly drive past at high speed, with their siren blaring. At various intersections, uniformed traffic officers assist with traffic controls. Noticeably, there is no jay-walking. Pedestrians cross the roads only at the appropriate spots. The vivid respect for the law and for one another is hard to miss. Beneath the statue of Peter the Great tourists, by a large margin Russians, take turns taking photographs. ALSO READ: Cannes and caviar: Who is SA's Second Lady Humile Mashatile? Leisure and legacy on the water The statue of Peter the Great who founded the city takes pride of place. Picture: iStock You simply cannot claim to have visited St P without posing for pictures with the founder of the city. And then, there's the English Embankment. It runs along the Neva River, which I found to be too large to be described as a river. Instead, it looks more like a lake. Several canals spring from various spots to pour their waters into the Neva River, which itself runs for a total of 392km to neighbouring Finland, recently a new Nato member. Along the English Embankment tourists have fun. Ice creams, cold drinks, lovers and friends alike all mingle harmoniously to share in the enjoyment of St P. The midnight marvel of Palace Bridge On the horizon, the green-painted Palace Bridge serves to assist vehicles and pedestrians to cross from either side to the other. The bridge is famous for the magic it performs every day at midnight. The heavy steel structure that makes up the Palace Bridge separates in the middle. Slowly, one half moves to the left and other half to the right. It is an incredible show to watch. It is hard not to scream in awe of the magic. The practice is a carryover from an old tradition, when the tallest ships had to be accommodated to pass through the bridge. Although the ships no longer exist, St Petersburg has retained the practice, which is a hugely popular attraction for locals and visitors alike. There was a musical concert for the 20 000-plus delegates to SPIEF. It took place at Palace Square, in front of Hermitage Museum. The singing, dance and camaraderie once again triggered in me the lingering question – is Russia at war? NOW READ: Russia warns US against 'military intervention' in Iran-Israel war
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 days ago
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
SPIEF 2025 deepens Egypt-Russia strategic partnership - Economy
Russia underscored its deepening strategic partnership with Egypt during the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2025), highlighting their ongoing cooperation as a cornerstone of Moscow's engagement with the Arab world. Since Egypt's designation as the forum's guest country in 2022, bilateral relations between both nations have expanded significantly across energy, infrastructure, investment, and education. This marked Cairo as a key partner in Russia's vision for a balanced and multipolar global economy. "The collaboration with Egypt continues to serve as a model for regional cooperation rooted in mutual respect and shared interests," Anton Kobyakov, advisor to the president of the Russian Federation and executive secretary of the SPIEF organizing committee, said at the forum's final press conference. He emphasized that Russia remains committed to fostering ties with Arab states — including Bahrain, the 2025 guest country, and Saudi Arabia, which will hold the role in 2026 — as part of its broader strategy to enhance connectivity across the Global South. Kobyakov also praised Egypt's pivotal role in building consensus on economic sovereignty and its contributions to joint initiatives launched during and after its guest country status. 'Egypt has proven to be a reliable and visionary partner,' he noted. 'Our cooperation reflects the core values of SPIEF—shared growth, balanced dialogue, and regional inclusion.' This year's forum, held under the theme 'Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World,' brought together global stakeholders committed to forging new paths of economic cooperation independent of unilateral Western influence. Organized by the Roscongress Foundation, SPIEF 2025 reinforced its reputation as the premier annual platform for international economic policy discussions. Kobyakov reported that 1,060 agreements were signed during the forum, totaling 6.3 trillion rubles (approximately $83 billion). The programme included 350 official sessions, 24 high-level bilateral economic dialogues, 30 sports events, and 18 cultural competitions, demonstrating the forum's comprehensive nature as both a diplomatic and socio-economic platform. With participants from 140 countries and regions, SPIEF 2025 featured the presence of heads of state, ministers, multinational business executives, sovereign wealth funds, and representatives from over 220 educational institutions. The international youth initiative, 'Friends of Leadership,' drew participants from over 60 countries, working alongside UN-affiliated organizations to shape the next generation's perspectives on global governance. Kobyakov announced that St. Petersburg will host a new International Transport and Logistics Forum in 2026, reinforcing Russia's focus on securing resilient and autonomous global trade networks. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of emerging technologies and regional cooperation frameworks, particularly BRICS and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), in adapting to a shifting geopolitical landscape. 'The future of global trade lies in the rise of self-reliant macro-regions,' Kobyakov said. 'Those with production, energy, and food security—anchored in political sovereignty—will be best positioned to navigate global instability,' he concluded. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Daily Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Russian Presidential Advisor Visits Bahrain Pavilion at St. Petersburg Forum
His Excellency Mr. Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Supreme Committee of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, visited the Kingdom of Bahrain's pavilion on the occasion of the forum's conclusion. Bahrain participated as the Guest of Honour, coinciding with the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bahrain and the Russian Federation. He was received at the pavilion by Mr. Ahmed Abdulrahman Al Saati, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Russian Federation, who expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation for the generous invitation and the opportunity for Bahrain to showcase areas of cooperation and joint work between the two countries. He highlighted the participation of His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty the King's Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, and his meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and senior officials in Moscow, which significantly strengthened the close friendship and opened new avenues for cooperation serving mutual interests. For his part, the Russian Presidential Advisor praised Bahrain's distinguished participation in the forum, which attracted great attention from attendees. He noted their admiration for Bahrain's remarkable progress and its promising opportunities for economic and commercial cooperation. He emphasized that the signing of 14 agreements and memoranda of cooperation between various sectors of both countries on the forum's sidelines is a clear indication of the growing relationship, backed by continuous support from the leadership of both nations.
Al-Ahram Weekly
22-05-2025
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt to participate in SPIEF 2025 in St.Petersburg in june - Economy
The organising committee of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) announced that more than 92 countries, including Egypt, have already confirmed their intention to attend the event, which is scheduled for 19-21 June. The committee added that the number of countries intending to attend the forum has increased by 5 percent compared to last year. An informed source in Russia told Ahram Online that the forum will hold a session entitled "Russia–Egypt," in which opportunities for cooperation will be explored in areas such as trade, investment, logistics, industry, and tourism. The Egyptian delegation will include key ministers and representatives of the business community. "Attesting to the fForum's growing significance as a global platform for forging new economic ties in a multipolar world. Particularly notable is the active participation of the Global South, whose contribution to the global economy is growing rapidly. We are witnessing more interest in the Forum agenda from Asia, Africa, and Latin America than ever before. SPIEF 2025 guest country is Russia's important partner in the Middle East, Bahrain. SPIEF's many participants and diverse range of topics favour the development of practical solutions based on shared values and mutual respect," Adviser to the Russian President and Executive Secretary of the SPIEF Organising Committee, Anton Kobyakov, said. The forum is held in St. Petersburg under the title 'Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World,' which reflects how international cooperation is changing and the role of shared values in sustainable economic development. The business programme consists of four thematic blocks: 'Development Economics: Ensuring Growth', 'Technology: Pursuing Leadership', 'The Living Environment', and 'The Individual in a New World'. Fifteen bilateral business dialogues on economic cooperation and global challenges have been planned as part of SPIEF with partners from Armenia, Africa, Bahrain, Vietnam, the EU, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Latin America, Moldova, Mongolia, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and EAEU–ASEAN. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Russia Today
07-02-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Russia-Africa partnership among top priorities
Russia is actively developing partnerships with African countries and this remains a top foreign policy priority for Moscow, Anton Kobyakov, an adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has said. Kobyakov made the remarks during a meeting with Igor Morozov, chairman of the Coordinating Committee for Economic Cooperation with African Countries (AFROCOM), according to a press release published by Russia's Roscongress Foundation on Thursday. 'Intensifying partnership relations between Russia and African countries is one of the priorities for our country's leadership today. I firmly believe that joint work as part of business events in Russia and Africa will strengthen our relations and identify new growth points for the near future. Russia is open to dialogue in all areas,' Kobyakov stated. He added that Moscow has been opening Russian language centers and investing in the infrastructure and economy of African countries. 'Relations are also developing in the area of transport logistics: international transport corridors are being organized, and business-to-business ties are being improved,' the official noted. READ MORE: African nations gaining prominence in global affairs – Lavrov Kobyakov also serves as the executive secretary of the Organizing Committee for the preparation and holding of events within the framework of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum. Russia has been expanding its presence across Africa in recent years – a move some Western countries, including in the European Union, see as a threat to their own influence. Several countries on the continent have reached deals with Moscow in a variety of fields. In October 2023, Burkina Faso signed an agreement with Rosatom for the construction of a nuclear power plant. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have jointly sought Russian defense support to combat a decade-long jihadist insurgency in the region. In December, Moscow added Kenya, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe to the list of countries whose nationals are eligible for Russia's single-entry electronic visa, which aims to promote tourism, business, and cultural exchanges. READ MORE: Missed this? The sneaky trends of 2024 that could flip Russia-Africa relations On Tuesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry inaugurated its Department of Partnership with Africa. Speaking at the event, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the establishment of the new department reflects how Russia has prioritized its ties with the continent's countries. According to the senior diplomat, African nations 'have always had a reliable and understanding partner in Russia,' which assisted them in their 'heroic struggle against colonial metropolises for freedom and independence.' Last year, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa said his country 'will never forget' the help Russia and China provided during its fight for independence from British rule. The Zimbabwean leader has called Russia a 'consistent global ally.' In October, his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, hailed Russia as a 'valued ally' who has long supported his country, including during the struggle against apartheid. Burkina Faso's interim leader, Ibrahim Traore, has also described Moscow as a 'strategic ally.'
