Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, defended on Wednesday in Moscow the emergence of a more equitable world order, based on the sovereignty of states and better representation of countries in international affairs.

It was on the occasion of the third Russia-Africa Summit.

Speaking at the plenary session of the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, Vladimir Putin affirmed that the multipolar world was becoming an irreversible reality.

“The era when the destiny of entire continents was determined by a select group of states is irrevocably coming to an end,” he said, advocating for a fairer international order, in which the voice of every country would be heard.

The Russian president notably highlighted the growing economic weight of emerging countries, indicating that BRICS members represented more than 40% of global gross domestic product over the last five years, compared to less than 30% for the G7 countries.

He also presented Africa as a growing hub of the global economy and politics, highlighting the desire of the continent’s countries to defend their sovereignty and freely choose their development trajectory.

“Africans have an unwavering determination to defend their interests and the desire to shape their own future and choose their own development path,” he said.