At Moscow Symposium, Russia Courts Global South with Promise of Creative Partnerships

At Moscow Symposium, Russia Courts Global South with Promise of Creative Partnerships

Moscow [Russia], October 13: In a bid to strengthen its geopolitical and economic ties amid ongoing Western isolation, Russia hosted a symposium this week that framed creative industries — from fashion to video games — as the new currency of international influence. The event, pointedly titled “Inventing the Future,” served as a platform for Moscow to articulate its vision for a multipolar world order and position itself as a key partner for developing nations.

The panel, held at the state-owned National Center “Russia” and co-organized by a government-linked nonprofit, “Creative Economy,” produced a set of proposals aimed at formalizing cooperation through a “roadmap” built on cultural and digital exports.

“Creative industries in the 21st century are a powerful instrument for strengthening political connections and maintaining constructive dialogue between countries,” stated Alena Pavlovskaya of “Creative Economy,” in a line that blurred the lines between commerce and soft power. She highlighted that the sector contributes 4% to Russia’s GDP, a figure she used to underscore its seriousness, while arguing that the true trendsetting energy now lies in the Global South.

The rhetoric echoed a consistent theme: that the West no longer holds a monopoly on cultural and economic innovation. Elena Yermakovishna, a fashion producer and instructor at HSE University, described a “cross-pollination” occurring as Russian brands, constrained by Western sanctions, pivot to new markets. “Collaboration with the Global South enhances a brand’s prestige,” she said, framing a commercial necessity as a strategic and cultural advantage.

The push extends beyond traditional arts. Vasily Ovchinnikov, head of Russia’s Video Game Industry Development Organization, presented the sector as a multi-billion-dollar engine for economic growth and cultural influence. He argued that developing local distribution platforms — a nod of solidarity against Western tech giants — could stimulate economies across the Global South.

The symposium also featured international voices, like Turkish media artist Ferdi Alichi, who spoke on data-driven art, and Nigerian development consultant David Okpatuma. Okpatuma pointedly noted that while Russian digital products have a ready market in Africa’s vast youth population, the continent’s deeper need is for investment in higher education — a potential avenue for Moscow to build long-term influence.

Analysts view such forums as a critical component of the Kremlin’s strategy to build alternative economic and diplomatic networks. The “Inventing the Future” symposium, convened by order of President Vladimir Putin and supported by key ministries, underscores Moscow’s concerted effort to cast itself not as an isolated nation, but as the nucleus of a new, non-Western alliance.

The ultimate success of this “roadmap,” however, will depend on whether the promise of creative partnership can translate into tangible benefits for both Russia and the diverse nations of the Global South.

Experts at the Open Dialogue at the Russia National Center: Financial Connectivity and Digital Integration are Key to Sustainable Growth

Experts at the Open Dialogue at the Russia National Center: Financial Connectivity and Digital Integration are Key to Sustainable Growth

Connectivity Without Intermediaries: What Unites BRICS, Asia, and the Global South

In Vladivostok, a discussion on new financial and investment solutions for countries of the World Majority was held as part of an Open Dialogue at the branch of the National Centre “Russia”. The session was moderated by Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation.

During the third discussion block on “New Financial and Investment Mechanisms for the World Majority,” participants emphasized that in a changing global economy, sustainability cannot be ensured without digital integration and the development of compatible payment systems.

Speaking at the session, Ilya Ivaninskiy, Director of the Center for Business Education and Analytics at the Central University, emphasized that without investment, real market connectivity is impossible.

“Connectivity doesn’t work well without money,” he noted, reminding that developing countries now form the center of the global economy: they account for over 60% of global GDP and more than 90% of the planet’s population. According to him, future economic growth is concentrated precisely here.

At the same time, Ivaninskiy noted, the international monetary and financial system has not yet adapted to this reality:

“Neither payments, nor representation in organizations, nor reserves, nor investments — no component corresponds to the new conditions.”

The global investment deficit is estimated to exceed $4 trillion, and the problem is felt most acutely in Global South countries.

The speaker explained in detail the reasons behind these difficulties. In developing countries, investments are largely built on borrowed funds:

“Our debt-to-equity ratio is 2 to 1, while in developed countries it’s 1 to 1.” Moreover, a significant portion of the debts are short-term, with about 40% due for repayment as early as 2027. The cost of capital is also unfairly inflated. “If our risk is higher by 1.5%, then the cost of capital is higher by 6.6%. This is four times higher than the actual risk level,” he emphasized.

Another problem cited by the expert is low market connectivity: most foreign investments coming into developing countries are from developed ones, and vice versa — the main investments from the Global South flow into developed markets.

“When we see a low degree of connectivity in the 21st century, a logical solution is a new investment platform,” stated Ivaninskiy.

In his opinion, such a platform could connect BRICS countries and the global majority. It should include a showcase of long-term infrastructure projects, clear criteria for assessing quality for investors, and effective risk reduction tools.

“Governments can help by buying junior tranches or providing guarantees,” he noted.

Ivaninskiy proposed a two-tier architecture for the platform: at the national level — selection of projects and investors; at the international level — mutual investments and offsets.

He also drew attention to technological capabilities:

“Blockchain is already mentioned as a tool for making payments and settlements. Modern digital tools make such operations cheap and transparent.”

According to him, a digital investment asset — risk-free and protected from inflation — could be at the center of the platform.

The expert also provided economic calculations: if countries invest at least $10 billion annually, it could generate up to $100 billion in additional GDP per year.

“For economies with a combined GDP of over $60 trillion, such investments are insignificant, while the effect could amount to a quarter of a percent of global GDP,” he noted.

“It’s great that we are discussing such initiatives at these venues. I would like to believe that this will allow them to be implemented faster,” Ivaninskiy concluded.