Plenary Session “The World Majority and the Structuring of International Multipolarity”

On October 29, 2024, as part of the VI International Conference “The World Majority towards a New International Order” the plenary session “The World Majority and the Structuring of International Multipolarity” was held.

The session was moderated by Olga Volosyuk, Chair of the Organizing Committee and Head of the School of Regional Studies at the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, HSE University.

Vitaly Naumkin, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) and Academic Supervisor of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the RAS, as well as Head of the Joint Department of the Institute of Oriental Studies at HSE University, presented his report titled “The Middle East in the Emerging System of International Relations.” He noted that the countries in the region cooperate with Russia not only in the energy sector but also in various high-tech fields. For example, the UAE is actively developing space cooperation, while Egypt participates in the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research program in Dubna.

Naumkin emphasized the importance of the Muslim community in fostering relations with the Middle East and highlighted Russia's significant role in conflict resolution within the region. He added that the institute is actively researching the origins of the Turkic peoples, with current findings suggesting that their ancestral homeland was in the Altai Mountains. Naumkin believes that the concept of Siberianization should be expanded by consolidating the main ethnic groups of Russia: Slavs, Turkic peoples, Caucasian nations, and Finno-Ugric groups.

Kirill Babaev, Director of the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the RAS and Head of the Joint Department of the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia at HSE University, delivered a report titled “Russia and China as Drivers of a New System of International Relations.” He noted that the current system, based on the UN Security Council, faces contradictions and no longer meets the expectations of the global majority, including Russia. He pointed out that the U.S.-proposed model of dominance is no longer viable or appealing to the global majority.

Babaev stressed that the Russia-China model of a multipolar world, founded on non-interference and mutual respect for traditions and political systems, remains the only viable alternative and can become the foundation for a new world order. He also mentioned that despite China's economic power and ambitions, its military-political weight is insufficient, and it lacks a distinct ideology. Babaev noted that China faces territorial disputes with many of its 20 neighboring countries and that Southeast Asian nations prefer the Russian model of BRICS as a more favorable alternative. Thus, China cannot single-handedly create a new international system.

In his view, Russia holds more significant military-political influence, particularly due to its nuclear potential and promotion of traditional values and anti-colonialism, even though it is economically weaker. Babaev emphasized that only through joint efforts with China could a new international system be established.

Alexey Kuznetsov, Director of INION RAS, presented a report titled “The Dialogue of Social Scientists of the Global Majority as the Foundation for Building a New World Order.” He highlighted that intellectual development is just as important as technological breakthroughs. He pointed out issues with infrastructure and the lack of clear roadmaps for scientific cooperation and suggested that BRICS should be seen not as anti-Western but as a source of practical solutions for socio-economic development. Kuznetsov emphasized that humanitarian contacts within the Global South are crucial for creating a multipolar world.

At the conclusion of the plenary session, researchers Aman Kumar (India), a research fellow at the Indian Council of World Affairs; Graham Amakandji Oluteyo (Kenya), a lecturer at Kenya Methodist University; Salvador Scarpino (Argentina), a postgraduate student at the Institute for Historical, Economic, Social, and International Studies; Elena Marginanu (Moldova), a lecturer at the International Independent University of Moldova; Omid Rahimi (Iran), a research fellow at the Institute of Eastern Strategic Studies; Ayesha Sikandar (Pakistan), a research fellow at the Institute of Strategic Vision; Ayse Gulsüm Çalık (Turkey), a foreign policy expert at the MASA Center for Strategic Studies; Niyazi Ipek (Turkey), an associate professor at Ardahan University; Abraham Enamé Minko (Turkey), a senior research fellow at Istanbul University; and Collins Chong Yew Kit (Malaysia), a research fellow at the University of Malaya, shared their perspectives on the roles of their respective countries in the emerging world order.