The purpose of the session is to analyse the interconnection of economic cooperation and sustainable development in the relations between Latin America and the Caribbean and Russia.
Latin America and the Caribbean are rich in natural resources, and Russia is a major energy producer. This creates opportunities for mutually beneficial trade and investment. Latin America is rapidly developing in the services and technology sectors, while Russia has a strong position in heavy industry and defence, which complements the economic strengths of both regions.
Investment in renewable energy is growing rapidly in Latin America and the Caribbean, and Russia has experience and technology in this area. Cooperation in sustainable agriculture can improve food security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in both regions.
Economic cooperation can create millions of new jobs in sustainable industries in both Latin America and the Caribbean and Russia. Joint education and training programmes can improve the skills of the workforce and prepare them for the needs of the new economy.
Latin American and Caribbean countries need significant investment in infrastructure to ensure access to education, healthcare and other basic services. Russia has experience in building and modernizing infrastructure, which can help Latin America develop its economies and improve the quality of life of its citizens.
There are more than 2,000 universities and research institutes in Latin American and Caribbean countries, while Russia has a strong research base. Cooperation in R&D can lead to the development of innovative solutions for sustainable development, such as new technologies and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
Regional cooperation mechanisms such as Mercosur and the Eurasian Economic Union can facilitate economic cooperation between Latin American and Caribbean countries and Russia. Thus, the session will bring together experts from government, business, academia and international organizations to discuss these issues and develop practical recommendations for strengthening economic cooperation between the two regions to achieve sustainable development goals.
Facts and figures
Latin America and the Caribbean has 12% of the world’s oil reserves and 38% of the world’s copper reserves
Latin America and the Caribbean is rapidly developing in the services and technology sectors, while Russia’s heavy industry accounts for 40% of its GDP.
Investment in renewable energy in Latin America and the Caribbean rose by 20% in 2023.
Cooperation in sustainable agriculture can improve food security in both regions, where 34% of the population in Latin America and the Caribbean and 20% of the population in Russia are undernourished.
Economic cooperation can create more than 2 million new jobs in Latin America and the Caribbean and Russia by 2030.
Joint education and training programmes can prepare the workforce for the needs of the new economy, where 65% of jobs in Latin America and the Caribbean and 54% of jobs in Russia require a secondary or higher education.
Latin America and the Caribbean needs multibillion-dollar annual investments in infrastructure to ensure access to education, healthcare, and other basic services.
There are more than 2,000 universities and research institutes in Latin America and the Caribbean, while Russia has about 5,000 research organizations.
International organizations such as the UN and the World Bank can provide technical and financial assistance to promote sustainable development in both regions. More than 100 countries are cooperating with the UN to achieve the SDGs, and the World Bank has committed to providing multibillion-dollar annual financing for sustainable development projects in developing countries.
Questions for discussion
Complementarity of the economic structures of Latin American and Caribbean countries and Russia.
Investment in sustainable industries of Latin American and Caribbean countries and Russia.
Job creation and development of competencies.
Sustainable infrastructure.
Research and development cooperation between Latin American and Caribbean countries and Russia.
Multilateral mechanisms for cooperation between Latin American and Caribbean countries and Russia.
AN
Alexey Naumov
Head of the Department of Socio-Economic Geography of Foreign Countries, Department of Geography, Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov
GCHP
Gladys Cecilia Hernandez-Pedraza (Cuba)
Head of International Finance Research, Centre for World Economy Studies (CIEM) in Havana
Key speakers
Topic of the report
Sustainable Development – Global Utopia or Common Imperative for Cooperation of All Countries of the World: Latin American Region
Aleksey Naumov
Head of the Department of Socio-Economic Geography of Foreign Countries, Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University
Topic of the report
Current Challenges to Sustainable Development in Latin America and Opportunities Offered by Cooperation, Science, Education and Technology
Gladys Cecilia Hernandez-Pedraza (Cuba)
Head of International Finance Research, Centre for World Economy Studies (CIEM) in Havana
Topic of the report
Sustainable Development Agenda in the Political Rhetoric of Latin America
Dmitriy Rozental
Director, Institute of Latin American Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences; Member of the Russian International Affairs Council
Topic of the report
Brazil’s Ecological Transformation Plan: Balance and Prospects
Pedro Paulo Zahluth Bastos (Brazil)
Professor, University of Campinas
Topic of the report
Concept for Improving Transparent and Participatory Governance through Systematic Decision Making: Latin American Experience
Fabio Krykhtine (Brazil)
Professor, Polytechnic School, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
Topic of the report
Features of economic cooperation between the CELAC countries and Russia for sustainable development until 2030
Ilya Sokov
Professor at Volgograd State University
Topic of the report
BRICS in a Humanitarian Crisis
Bruno De Conti (Brazil)
Professor, University of Campinas
Topic of the report
Strategies in Higher Education, Financing and Public Policy between Latin America and Russia
Claudio Ruff Escobar (Chile)
Professor, Rector, Bernardo O'Higgins University
Alexis Matheu Pérez (Chile)
Director of Institutional Analysis, Bernardo O'Higgins University
Marina Khramova
Director Institute for Demographic Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Project Start: Scientific Agenda by Host Countries competition winners