Lavrov to Address Primakov Readings Amidst Global Order Shifts

MOSCOW – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will participate in the 12th Primakov Readings International Forum, a premier event for global politics and world economy, scheduled to take place in Moscow from June 23-24. The highly anticipated forum, themed 'World Without Rules: Power Game?', aims to delve into the profound transformations currently reshaping the international order.

Hosted at the Radisson Blu Leninsky Prospect Hotel, the forum is organized by the Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO) of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Evgeny Primakov Center for International Cooperation. It traditionally serves as a critical platform for analyzing pressing issues in global economy, politics, and security, drawing leading representatives from Russian and foreign research centers and think tanks.

Maria Zakharova, the Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, announced Lavrov's participation at a press briefing, emphasizing the forum's role in addressing how a 'group of countries' is attempting to dismantle established international norms and rules. According to Zakharova, the forum will explore the current phase of this process, the implications of Western actions, and the potential 'constructive agenda of the global majority.'

The theme, 'World Without Rules: Power Game?', reflects a growing perception within Russia and among a broader international audience that the liberal 'rules-based' world order has diminished, giving way to a more fragmented global political and economic architecture where the 'dictatorship of force' prevails in international security. Alexander Dynkin, President of IMEMO and Deputy Chairman of the Forum's Organizing Committee, noted that Western experts are increasingly losing touch with Russian realities, particularly regarding the resilience of the Russian economy against sanctions.

The forum is expected to convene approximately 50 experts from 20 countries, including significant participation from nations such as China, India, Iran, the USA, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, South Korea, and Uzbekistan. Notably, India will contribute the largest foreign delegation, with six distinguished Indian experts slated to address various sessions.

These Indian participants include Manjit Kripalani (Director of the Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations), Samir Saran (President of the Observer Research Foundation), Shishir Priyadarshi (President of the Chintan Research Foundation and former Director of the World Trade Organisation), Pankaj Saran (Convenor at NatStrat, National Security Advisory Board), Arvind Gupta (Head of Digital India Foundation), and Lt Gen Dushyant Singh (Director General of the Center for Land Warfare Studies). They will contribute to discussions on a diverse range of topics, including 'Global Ramifications of Regional Conflicts,' 'Global Order Scenarios for the Mid-Century,' 'Barriers and Risks to Global Trade and Investment,' 'Eurasian Security 2035,' 'AI and Digital Platforms: Global Competition,' and 'The New Round of Military-Technological Competition.'

Beyond these, the forum's extensive agenda will cover critical global issues such as prospects for de-escalating conflicts in the Middle East, establishing new regional security architectures, and the pivotal role of non-Western countries in stabilizing these regions. Discussions will also touch upon the implications of the New START Treaty termination, the risks associated with the collapse of arms control systems, and the impact of emerging military technologies on strategic stability amidst an accelerating arms race.

High-ranking Russian officials, including Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov and Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev, are also expected to attend, alongside other leading Russian and foreign experts in international security, world politics, and economics. The forum provides a crucial platform for exploring new models of interaction among global political actors and fostering dialogue on the challenges and opportunities in a rapidly evolving international environment.

In previous editions, the Primakov Readings have consistently attracted high-profile speakers and addressed pertinent global issues. For example, the 10th anniversary forum in 2024 focused on 'Russia in the Global Context' and commemorated the 95th birthday of Yevgeny Primakov, the statesman and scholar after whom the forum is named. This year's 12th edition continues his legacy by fostering comprehensive discussions on the complex dynamics of the contemporary world. Academician Aleksander Dynkin highlighted the increasing value of 'anchors of stability' like Russia-China and Russia-India relations and the growing demand for alternative international institutions such as BRICS, SCO, EAEU, and ASEAN. Such sentiments underscore the forum's commitment to exploring a multipolar world order and identifying pathways for cooperation amidst geopolitical fragmentation.