The WEF and the New balance of power in international partnership

 John Parkins

The Tenth Eastern Economic Forum is taking place on the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok from 3 to 6 September. Representatives of more than 70 countries and territories (according to preliminary estimates, about 6,000 people) are participating in the WEF-2025. The most representative delegations were from Vietnam, India, China, Laos, and Malaysia. Thus, the anniversary forum on Russian Island confirms the status of an authoritative platform, convenient for international business contacts and attractive to the countries of the Asia-Pacific region and the rest of the world. The main theme of the WEF-2025 is "The Far East: cooperation for peace and Prosperity." It also reflects the main demand of the majority of the population of both hemispheres for improving the international situation and relieving geopolitical tensions. The Eastern Economic Forum was established in 2015 by decree of the President of the Russian Federation to promote the development of the economy of the Far East and expand international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Over the past ten years, it has significantly expanded its geography, attracting more and more countries into its orbit and becoming an additional platform for them to negotiate new projects and create promising models of cooperation. In the jubilee year, we can confidently state that Russian Island has become one of those places of power where a new reality of the multipolar world is being formed, and a new balance of constructive forces is emerging. In his address to the participants, organizers and guests of the X Eastern Economic Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted: "As the center of global economic activity increasingly shifts to the Asia-Pacific region, new opportunities are opening up for establishing mutually beneficial ties between the states of this part of the world, not only on a bilateral basis, but also within the framework of such associations as the SCO and BRICS. Russia is ready for a constructive dialogue with all interested partners and intends to actively participate in collective efforts to build a fair system of international relations in the Asia-Pacific region based on genuine equality and respect for each other's legitimate interests." The key event of the forum will be the plenary session on September 5. It is attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Lao Prime Minister Sonesai Siphandon, Mongolian Prime Minister Gombozhavyn Zandanshatar, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Deputy Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Li Hongzhong. According to Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation, the WEF will become a tool for shaping the ideology of a multipolar world based on equality and respect, with a central focus on the practical implementation of this idea through specific projects and integration associations, including the SCO and BRICS. He described the thematic focus of the event as follows: "Logistics corridors, investments in innovation, energy, entrepreneurship development. The topic of technological sovereignty will occupy a special place. These include additive technologies, rare earth metals, and artificial intelligence, which is already changing the world's economy." About a hundred WEF-2025 business events are held in seven thematic blocks: "The Far East is a territory for life and development"; "Recipes for growth: investment, innovation, integration"; "Openness and mutually beneficial partnership are the foundation of stability"; "Technology: from theory to economic effects"; "Cities are for life people"; "Arteries of growth: how logistics is changing the economy"; "In partnership between business and government: a major reassembly". The business program also includes bilateral business dialogues "Russia — India", "Russia — ASEAN", "Russia — China", "Russia — Thailand". Extensive cultural and sports programs and scientific events are held. On September 3, the international scientific and practical conference "Lessons of the Great Patriotic War and World War II: on the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory" was held within the framework of the WEF. It was attended by representatives of Russia, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Mongolia, and the Philippines. It is symbolic that on this day, Beijing hosted a grand parade dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japanese militarism and the end of World War II. It should be recalled that the USSR and China are the countries that suffered the greatest human losses in World War II, that is, they paid the greatest price for the advent of peace in September 1945. Sergei Naryshkin, Chairman of the Russian Historical Society, recalled in a video message to the conference participants: "Taking into account that the Second World War ended in the Far East, it is fair to admit that the first foci of this global conflict also arose here. Back in September 1931, militaristic Japan occupied the northeastern part of China and created the puppet state of Manchukuo on its territory, which was planned to be used as a springboard for aggression against the Soviet Union." This message corresponds to the main theme of the WEF-2025. Sergey Naryshkin stressed: "The memory of the events of the Second World War is still of great importance in the context of maintaining the architecture of global security. We also consider it as a solid foundation for international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. I am sure that the upcoming discussion, which will be attended by historians from several countries friendly to Russia in the Asia-Pacific region, will make a serious contribution to understanding the events of 80 years ago." The President of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Damberel Sodnomsambu, recalled that Mongolia was an ally of the USSR during the Second World War. He noted: "As a result of the universal struggle against fascism and militarism, the long-awaited peace and liberation of peoples have come thanks to the joint victory. The conditions for the establishment of a new order in the post-war world have also developed. Thanks to these global changes, the peoples of the world have stepped into a new era of their history, many Asian peoples have gained independence, strengthened their international status and embarked on the path of social progress. This is one of the most important political outcomes of this victory..." Zhong Jianping, Director of the Institute of Russia at the Academy of Social Sciences of Heilongjiang Province, summarized in his speech on the joint struggle of China and the USSR in World War II: "Now international relations play the most important role in preserving peace, and that process must be continued. In the Great War, the Chinese people provided the necessary support to the Soviet Union. China, as the main theater of military operations in the East, constrained the strength of the Japanese army and allowed the Soviet Union to get rid of the war on two fronts, influencing the course of World War II."

Many WEF events are becoming a litmus test for pressing issues on the global agenda. For example, on the first day of the forum, an all-wheel-drive version of the Yerofey buggy, developed by a Russian company, was presented to its participants. The experience of this company is extremely interesting: a few years ago, it became the first resident in the Far East of the new territory of advanced development "Patriotic". In 2023, Soniktrans begins production of Yerofeyevs, constantly refining its buggies, which until recently were still rear-wheel drive. According to the company's representatives, at the beginning of production, the machines consisted of half Russian and half foreign components, and now the localization level has been increased to 90%. The design provides for the installation of domestic engines with a volume of 1.5, 1.6 and 1.8 liters. Tests of the Yerofey all-wheel drive will begin shortly after the forum. And this fact is significant, first of all, in terms of the fact that the Russian manufacturer was able to resist Western sanctions. The issues of adaptation to sanctions, this time in the financial sector, were also discussed during the WEF thematic session "Tokenization of the financial market: a look into the future." The Dean of the Chongyang Financial Research Institute at the People's University of China, Wen Wang, says: "We are learning a lot from Russia because we are facing sanctions in the financial sector, including from Western countries. You have learned how to ensure the stability of the financial system in these conditions." On September 3, a business dialogue "Russia-India: the Economy of the Future" took place. Experts note that energy cooperation actively stimulates an increase in trade turnover between the two countries, demonstrating the powerful potential of their interaction. And shorter delivery times and lower customs duties open up new opportunities for exporters, especially in the context of growing technological cooperation. According to the participants of the session, mutual readiness for logistical innovations and the support of government agencies will accelerate the achievement of goals for the growth of mutual trade and investment activity. Alexander Vedyakhin, moderator of the session, First Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Sberbank, asked the Indian participant topical questions about the consequences of Trump's protectionist tariff policy. What should we prepare for after the tariff pressure on India from the United States leads to the redirection of Indian exports? The Consul General of the Republic of India in Vladivostok, Siddarth Gaurav, says: "Today the situation is such that in our relations Russia is India's fourth trade partner, and India is Russia's second partner. And this trade turnover amounts to $70 billion. And we would like to reach $100 billion by 2030. And our Foreign Minister says that with the speed at which our relations are developing, it is quite realistic that we will reach this figure. At the same time, we need to understand Russia's ability to receive goods from India. All this is related to the current situation in the world. We understand that Russia first of all needs to create an opportunity to accept these goods and use them... they need the balance of power that should develop between our countries. And thanks to our relationship, we have to deal with the difficulties that stand in our way." The Consul General assures that in this case it is possible to turn one's weaknesses into strengths. Siddarth Gaurav stated, "The current global situation needs to be used for our benefit. There is pressure, but we have to work with it. I am sure that the kind of relations that India and Russia have are only strengthened by the influence of other countries. And maybe we wouldn't value our relationship so much if there wasn't outside pressure. In any case, let's continue to build our potential, our relationships, and create more opportunities for trade and business." Vice President of the Indian Chamber of International Business (ICIB) Rajan Taokar said: "Russian companies have already met with many representatives from India, including technology automation, for future cooperation. Moreover, India today has significant resources in terms of human potential, which can also help Russia. In 2021, there were 554 thousand labor migrants from India in Russia, and in 2025 we are talking about more than 700 thousand people.… Today we are engaged in infrastructure construction, warehouse construction and strategic support." The expert adds that India can offer Russia food production (vegetables, fruits, spices), as well as various technologies for this area, packaging for food preservation. At the same time, India needs technologies that will allow it to develop organic food supply chains. "Together with Russia, we can achieve this success," Rajan Taokar is convinced. On September 4, Russia hosted the Russia—ASEAN Business Dialogue. Its moderator, Sergey Katyrin, President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, recalled that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is one of the most dynamically developing regions in the world, demonstrating one of the highest economic growth rates. A total of 680 million people live in these 10 countries. "There is a huge potential to develop relations," says the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Kang Zaw, Minister of Finance and Revenue of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, says: "Our ASEAN colleagues appreciate Russia and its approach to the ASEAN countries as full-fledged builders of the world order. In this regard, we try to continue the relationship in the same paradigm." According to the expert, the countries in their cooperation should strive to come to a common denominator so that their legislative frameworks contribute to providing investment opportunities and building a sustainable economic partnership. The Deputy Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Lim Panpearak, notes the increase in the region's trade turnover with the Russian Federation. Phongsavan Sisoulat, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, states: "We are pleased with our productive cooperation with the Russian Federation... 8 additional agreements have recently been signed between our countries. Speaking of ASEAN, we consider Russia as a very important dialogue partner. We have already brought our relations to a strategic level." Phongsawan Sisulat notes an increase in the number of Russian tourists coming to ASEAN countries: this year there were already 2.5 million people. Director of the Digital Council of Thailand, Atip Aswanund, says that cooperation with Russia has tremendous potential. "Our industry has learned a lot from Russia," says the expert. — And what seems important to me is that Russia is one of the few countries in the world that still retains its digital sovereignty. You are creating your own digital ecosystem, you have your own search engines, artificial intelligence, payment systems, commerce systems that have not obeyed and have not been destroyed by Western countries. And I am sure that many countries can learn from you." It is also significant that many experts perceive the WEF-2025 as a logical continuation of the recent SCO summit in Tianjin, which attracted the jealous attention of Western countries. For example, there is an opinion that following the signing of the memorandum on the Power of Siberia—2 project, it is quite possible to conclude a commercial contract within the framework of the WEF. Such forecasts are being made more and more often, because the contours of partnership in a new coordinate system that suits all participants are becoming clearer. Russia and the countries of the global south are offering new options for economic clarity and political warming. The SCO summit has added optimistic expectations to many countries. And the WEF participants can not only observe the new reality of the emerging multipolar world, but also shape it.