2023 is the 5th anniversary of Russia’s Strategic Partnership with ASEAN. In the ongoing period of recovery following COVID and the transformation of the global economic system, Russia is particularly interested in creating additional incentives for deepening and diversifying trade and working together with the countries of the Association economically. Priorities include ensuring food and energy security, the closed-loop economy and environmental issues, economic digitalization, the development of smart cities, and increased cooperation in science and education. Russia’s Far Eastern regions have major competitive advantages in a wide range of industries and, by virtue of their geographical location, are able to convert the existing close cooperation with Southeast Asian countries into tangible economic, scientific and educational results. What are the challenges currently facing the development of trade and economic co-operation between Russia and ASEAN member countries? What mechanisms are best able to realize the existing potential of trade, economic and investment cooperation? What will relations between Russian and ASEAN member states look like in 2030? What sectors and projects in the Russian Far East are of the greatest interest to partners from ASEAN?

Moderator:
Ivan Polyakov — Chairman, Russia–ASEAN Business Council

Panellists:
Igor Bailen — Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to the Russian Federation
Denis Butsayev — General Director, Russian Environmental Operator Public Law Company
Nikolay Volobuev —
Kan Zaw — Union Minister of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Sergey Katyrin — President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation
Michael Lopez Rama — Mayor of the City of Cebu, Republic of the Philippines

New geopolitical realities lend particular importance to relations with reliable partners, which India certainly is. Trade between India and Russia exceeded USD 35 billion in 2022, an increase of 250% over 2021, due primarily to fuel and energy exports. Russia and India continue to discuss ways to diversify and expand co-operation beyond just fuel and energy, and in this context, the Russian Far East is of particular interest to India. Particular emphasis has been placed on the development of an Eastern Maritime Corridor, collaboration on the NSR, and cooperation in promising industries such as shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, and tourism among others. What is currently preventing a full realization of existing potential? How can trade be increased in a balanced way, more support provided to investment, and cooperation in promising industries and areas further intensified?

Moderator:
Yakov Sergienko — General Director, Yakov & Partners

Panellists:
Raj Prakash Vyas — President of Corporate Affairs, Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited (online)
Vasily Grudev — Minister of Investment Policy, Government of the Sakhalin Oblast
Pavan Kapoor — Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to the Russian Federation
German Maslov — Vice President of Liner and Logistic Division, FESCO
Ivan Nosov — Chief Manager, Branch of Sberbank in India
Vladimir Panov — Special Representative for the Development of the Arctic, State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM
Shailesh Pathak — Secretary General, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) (online)
Somasundaram Subramanian — Surgical Oncologist; Founder, General Director, Eurasian Federation of Oncology (EAFO); Chair, Board of Directors, Eurasian Cancer Research Council (ECRC)
Alexey Chekunkov — Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic (video message)
Alexander Shokhin — President, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs

Front row participant:
Azer Mamedov — Director of the Investment Department, Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF)

Trade between Russia and China increased by 40.6% in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period of 2022, amounting to USD 114.5 billion, even as settlements in national currencies continue to grow steadily. The important geographical location and economic potential of the Far East have Russia and China actively working to improve cooperation models and programmes. Joint prosperity and development in the macro-region depend more and more on the interaction and exchange of information, technology, and experience between the state and business. How can the high level of trust that exists between the leaders of Russia and China be used to further develop cooperation in trade and investment to the mutual benefit of the two countries? How can new opportunities be fully unlocked in logistics and finance among other areas to help diversify and optimize trade and economic interaction between Russia and China? Are additional measures needed to improve the business environment and increase bilateral cooperation in production and investment and the transfer of innovations in the Russian Far East (e.g., as part of the ASEZ, bonded zone preferences, and so forth)?

Moderators:
Zhou Liqun —
Alexey Maslov — Director, Institute of Asian and African Studies, Lomonosov Moscow State University

Panellists:
Mikhail Volkov — General Director, Chairman of the Board, Russian Post
Qian Wei — Director General of the Strategic Planning Department, Baowu Resources Co., Ltd.
Chen Guoping — Executive Vice President, State Grid Corporation of China
Vitaly Evdokimenko — President, TransContainer
Alexander Zainigabdinov — Head of the Beijing office of China Window Consulting Group, arbitrator of the Shanghai International Arbitration Center
Pavel Zarkov — Director of Investments and Development, Sodrugestvo Management Company
Alexander Kalinin — President, All‑Russian Non‑Governmental Organization of Small and Medium‑Sized Businesses OPORA RUSSIA
Sergey Lebedev — Vice President of Government Relations, AliExpress Russia
Liu Xuesong — Plenipotentiary Minister, Embassy of the People`s Republic of China in the Russian Federation
Alexey Chekunkov — Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic (video message)
Hu Zhirong — Chairman of the Board, Kai Xin Rong Group Co Ltd
Chen Zhong — Deputy General Manager, China Communications Construction Group Co., Ltd.
Han Shengjian — Vice Governor, People's Government of Heilongjiang Province
Huang Yongzhang — President, PetroChina Company Limited

Relations between Russia and Mongolia have long been friendly and founded on a solid international legal basis, with plenty of experience cooperating in political, military, economic, and cultural spheres. It is a rare and worthy historical precedent that could benefit the world community today. In December 2021, the leaders of the two nations adopted a joint Political Declaration with clear guidelines for further deepening of bilateral ties. As the world economic system undergoes a restructuring and Russia turns to the East, new possibilities are created in traditional areas of cooperation such as energy, railway transport, agriculture, tourism, and medicine. The Russia–Mongolia–China economic corridor alone is the stimulus for more than 30 projects. The regions of Russia’s Far East are serious about developing equitable, mutually beneficial co-operation with Mongolia. What’s the best way to go about organizing this work? How should current and future priorities be identified? What opportunities have been created by the new geopolitical environment and what issues requiring special attention? Does the business community require support of some kind? What tools exist to create new long-term sustainable forms of co-operation? What can be done at the federal and regional levels?

Moderator:
Alexey Tsydenov — Head of the Republic of Buryatia

Panellists:
Bolor-Erdene Baasanjav — Director of Policy and Planning Department, Ministry of Road and Transport Development of Mongolia
Anar Bat-Ireedui — Director of Investment Policy Department, Ministry of Economy and Development of Mongolia
Maksim Vasiliev — Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in Mongolia (online)
Dmitry Volvach — Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation (online)
Luvsantseren Ichinkhorloo — Director of Fuel Policy Implementation Coordination Department, Ministry of Energy of Mongolia
Andrey Rudenko — Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
Andrey Slepnev — Member of the Board, Minister in Charge of Trade, Eurasian Economic Commission
Naranhkuu Khalzkhuu — Advisor to the Chairman, Mongolian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission

Front row participants:
Dmitry Bolotskiy — Deputy General Director of International Projects, 1520 Group of Companies
German Maslov — Vice President of Liner and Logistic Division, FESCO
Oleg Melnikov — Executive Vice President, Head of Contracts Banking Support Department, Gazprombank
Sergey Mikhnevich — Executive Secretary, EAEU Business Council; Managing Director for International Multilateral Cooperation and Integration, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP)
Alexander Podylov — Vice President for Commercial Activities, TransContainer
Maxim Sergeev — General Director, Inter RAO – Export LLC