A press conference was held in Russia to present the report “Shaping a New Platform for Global Growth”. The report will be discussed during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which opens this Wednesday, 18 June.

The analytical overview, prepared by experts from the Centre for Cross-Sectoral Expertise “Third Rome” under the academic guidance of Maksim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation, outlines the key challenges and prospects of the global economy, in which a leading role is attributed to the countries of the Global Majority – BRICS+ and their partners.

In addition to expert analysis, the report is based on ideas collected through the international initiative “The Future of the World: A New Platform for Global Growth”, launched by Russia in spring 2025. The dialogue involved both young and established professionals from 102 countries, who submitted essays on four key topics: human, technology, environment, and connectivity.

Natalia Stapran, Director of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Expertise “Third Rome”, highlighted the uniqueness of the project.

“Seven hundred submissions from over 100 countries – this is truly the voice of the global majority. In this regard, the project is unique. It demonstrates how trends are shifting and how those who were previously in the shadows are now coming to the fore,” she said.

Stapran emphasised that the countries of the Global South are gradually shaping the foundation of a new economy.

“The world is not simply changing – it is entering a new state, in which resilience, digital transformation, and a new architecture of international relations are key,” Natalia noted.

Economist Joseph Potvin focused in his remarks on the shift in the global centre of gravity.

“Today, the real challenges are being discussed in the countries of Asia, Latin America, and Africa. This is the global majority,” he said.

According to him, one of the project’s major outcomes was the convergence of ideas coming directly from citizens.

“The essays reflect genuine concern – from the education crisis to economic inequality. People want to be part of the conversation about the future, and the platform proposed by Russia provides a space for such dialogue,” he said.

Journalist and analyst Lucy Morgan Edwards, in turn, underlined the importance of discussing new economic scenarios in a rapidly changing world.

She drew attention to the value of open dialogue between countries with diverse historical and cultural backgrounds, noting that such initiatives help establish common ground and balanced solutions at the global level.

“What Russia is doing within this project is an attempt to truly hear what concerns people in different parts of the world,” said Edwards.

She stressed that this is particularly important at a time when trust between nations must be rebuilt, and dialogue requires new formats.

Photo:
Press service of the National Centre “Russia” (Konstantin Semenets)