The World Majority and Its Interests. Presentation of the Valdai Club Report
On October 10, the Valdai Club hosted a presentation of the report “The World Majority and Its Interests”. One of the most significant phenomena in modern international life was the formation in 2022 of a large group of states, known in Russian foreign policy rhetoric as “the world majority”. These countries refused to participate in anti-Russian restrictive measures and, on the contrary, maintained, and even expanded trade and investment relations with Moscow. The group is heterogeneous and includes states of different sizes, which are located on all continents (except Australia) and are not members of the same political associations. Nevertheless, the report authors consider the behaviour of the world majority in relation to the current conflict in Europe not an accidental or private phenomenon, but a significant factor in the development of the historical process. The emergence of this group is not associated exclusively with Russia — it is a product of evolution of the system of international relations. However, it was the confrontation around Ukraine that became the catalyst for its formation. Is a unified policy possible towards the unconsolidated group of countries of the world majority? Can the “world majority” become a universal concept and enter into wide international usage? What qualities are characteristic of the participants? And how can their role on the world stage change? Speakers: Lidiya Kulik, Head of India Studies, SKOLKOVO School of Management; Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences Mayya Nikolskaya, Acting Director of the Center for African Studies at the Institute of International Studies of the MGIMO University of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Nourhan ElSheikh, Professor of Political Science at Cairo University; Member of the Egyptian Council for International Affairs Moderator: Timofei Bordachev, Programme Director of the Valdai Discussion Club
On October 10, the Valdai Club hosted a presentation of the report “The World Majority and Its Interests”. One of the most significant phenomena in modern international life was the formation in 2022 of a large group of states, known in Russian foreign policy rhetoric as “the world majority”. These countries refused to participate in anti-Russian restrictive measures and, on the contrary, maintained, and even expanded trade and investment relations with Moscow. The group is heterogeneous and includes states of different sizes, which are located on all continents (except Australia) and are not members of the same political associations. Nevertheless, the report authors consider the behaviour of the world majority in relation to the current conflict in Europe not an accidental or private phenomenon, but a significant factor in the development of the historical process. The emergence of this group is not associated exclusively with Russia — it is a product of evolution of the system of international relations. However, it was the confrontation around Ukraine that became the catalyst for its formation. Is a unified policy possible towards the unconsolidated group of countries of the world majority? Can the “world majority” become a universal concept and enter into wide international usage? What qualities are characteristic of the participants? And how can their role on the world stage change? Speakers: Lidiya Kulik, Head of India Studies, SKOLKOVO School of Management; Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences Mayya Nikolskaya, Acting Director of the Center for African Studies at the Institute of International Studies of the MGIMO University of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Nourhan ElSheikh, Professor of Political Science at Cairo University; Member of the Egyptian Council for International Affairs Moderator: Timofei Bordachev, Programme Director of the Valdai Discussion Club