Latest news with #Kobyakov
Al-Ahram Weekly
3 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:
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Anton Kobyakov: The quiet power behind Putin's Russia
Kobyakov, Putin's trusted advisor, shapes Russia's future from behind the scenes with sharp intellect and calm conviction. Anton Kobyakov, Russian presidential adviser, executive secretary of the Organising Committee for Russia's SCO Presidency in 2014-2015 and Russia's BRICS Presidency in 2015-2016 at the briefing for organisational aspects of hosting the SCO and BRICSD summits on July 07, 2015 in Ufa, Russia. (Photo by Host Photo Agency/Ria Novosti via Getty Images) Anton Kobyakov – remember the name. He is a soft-spoken, erudite and affable Russian politician who serves as a special advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also serves on the highest echelons of Roscongress, a state-owned enterprise responsible for various strategic initiatives, including international events assembly and management, as well as stakeholder relations and networks development. The unassuming Kobyakov, pictured, holds a degree in biology and a PhD in economics. He is a graduate of the Presidential Russian Civil Service Academy and his official title is 'Professor', although he never takes umbrage with being referred to simply as 'Mr Kobyakov'. He has had an illustrious career as a civil servant. From 1992-2003, he served as deputy governor of Kemerovo region before pro – ceeding to hold various posts in the Presidential Office from 2005 to date. But it is as a political tactician that Kobyakov – born on 23 June, 1968 – is better-known across the Russian circles through the length and breadth of the largest country in the world. Russia's total area stands at 17 098 242km² and also has 11 different time zones. ALSO READ: Trump says will speak to Putin to end Ukraine 'bloodbath' The 57-year-old academic high achiever works in the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation with a calm demeanour as a fountain of wisdom. His civil service rank is '1st class state advisor', loosely translated – an equivalence of the military rank of the army general or fleet admiral. Kobyakov's philosophy is interesting: 'Anything (in life) is either a poison or medicine, depending on the dose,' he told a packed press conference in St Petersburg, Russia's cultural mecca. At the recently completed St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Russia's flagship annual event, Kobyakov was tasked with single-handedly briefing up to 100 local and international journalists about the outcome of SPIEF 2025. The event was attended by 24 000 participants from 144 countries, Kobyakov announced. A total of 1 060 trade agreements were entered into over the five days, from 18-22 June. The agreements were worth 6.3 trillion rubles (about R1.4 trillion), said Kobyakov. 'We are seeing rapid fragmentation of the global economy,' he said. ALSO READ: Russia-Ukraine talks resume in Istanbul, but expectations remain low Kobyakov is a trusted ally of Putin, serving him as a special advisor since 2014. His reflections appear to represent Putin's and Putin's expressed views also appear to represent Kobyakov's. The two seem to be intricately intertwined, at least ideologically. As brothers-in-arms, they are no doubt joined at the hip. Reflecting on the current state of unpredictable geopolitics, Kobyakov said: 'We are witnessing tectonic shifts in the world. We see no international law.' Since the outbreak of the Ukraine war in 2022, the European Union, along with most of the West, imposed an unprecedented barrage of sanctions on Russia. Kobyakov said Ukraine was itself a victim of the West's imperial agenda. 'Kyiv is on a tight leash,' he said, before singling out Britain. ALSO READ: UK urges Putin to 'get serious about peace' 'The UK has gone too far in managing this conflict.' The focus of the US and EU pushing to boost their military budgets is another example of the West's disinterest in peaceful coexistence and desire for continuous conflict that can never defeat Russia anyway. 'Russia will never allow any outsider to set their dirty boots on Russian soil,' Kobyakov warned. Given that Putin is 72 and the trusted veteran foreign affairs minister, Sergey Lavrov 75, Kobyakov appears to represent a Russian future that is intrinsically in sync with the present. This is despite his penchant to perform his duties under the radar.
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.'
