It has been included in the calendar of events under the chairmanship of the Russian Federation in BRICS, culminating in the upcoming meeting of heads of state in Kazan next week.
On Wednesday, October 16, the opening ceremony of the International Forum "Mineral Resources as the Foundation of National Sovereignty – Personnel and Innovation Environment" took place at the Empress Catherine II St. Petersburg Mining University. The event brought together more than 800 participants from 42 countries, including rectors of leading technical universities, scientists, executives of transnational energy companies, and heads of federal ministries and agencies overseeing the mineral resource sector, education system, and science.
Delegates were sent to the city on the river Neva not only by BRICS member states or candidates for membership but also by other nations interested in constructive, mutually beneficial cooperation on the international stage and in enhancing the resilience of their development. This is achieved primarily by increasing the efficiency of natural resource extraction and utilization, which is impossible without competent engineers capable of implementing new technologies and ensuring their uninterrupted operation.
The forum's location was chosen deliberately. The experience of the Mining University, which has been implementing a pilot project to improve higher education for the second year, initiated by Vladimir Putin, is attracting widespread interest. It is being studied in Asia, Latin America, and, of course, Africa, where the shortage of skilled professionals is one of the main barriers to prosperity.
In his opening remarks, Rector Vladimir Litvinenko emphasized that the forum "is taking place on the eve of a fundamental event in Kazan, the outcomes of which will largely shape the future dynamics of the global economy" and provide optimal solutions to many of today's challenges. Among these are the collapse of the global market and the emergence of multiple local segments, the need to increase labor productivity, and the strengthening of national currencies through de-dollarization.
«Before this event, we must address a narrowly focused but extremely important topic. We need to understand the resource potential and identify the tools that can maximize its use to enhance the socio-economic resilience of our countries. How do we train and nurture national specialists who are motivated to remain in their home countries and contribute to their nation's progress and prosperity? It is encouraging that our meetings have already become a regular occurrence, and many of the forum's participants are well-acquainted with each other. This is the best guarantee for the steady development of our partnership and the preservation of friendly relations between our nations for decades to come», - Vladimir Litvinenko said.
Forum delegates were congratulated on the start of the event by the Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, Valentina Matvienko. She particularly emphasized that holding such events at the venue of the Mining University "guarantees a productive exchange of views and cutting-edge experience," as well as "active participation in panel discussions by distinguished experts from various regions of the world.
«I am confident that the forum will proceed in a constructive atmosphere, and the solutions proposed as a result will be put into practice, helping to elevate international cooperation to a new level», - Valentina Matvienko stressed.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described the theme proposed by the host as "more relevant than ever for the BRICS alliance." He emphasized that the BRICS countries are "key producers of energy resources and possess enormous mineral reserves," providing a solid foundation for their progressive development.
«We have always paid close attention to strengthening cooperation in academic mobility. A useful tool for advancing young scientists has been the innovation project competition, which helps to identify young talent and implement their initiatives in practice», - Sergey Lavrov addressed the forum's organizers and participants.
The BRICS Young Researchers' Competition on "Current Issues in Subsoil Use," mentioned by the minister, is an integral part of the forum. The finalists include the best students and postgraduate researchers from various countries whose scientific work is focused on increasing the productivity of the mineral resources sector. This includes more efficient drilling fluids, enhancing labor safety in mines through the use of robotics in extraction and transportation, and, of course, reducing the environmental impact of human activities.
Russian Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov emphasized the need for a rational approach to natural resource management. He expressed satisfaction that the BRICS member countries, with their vast mineral resource deposits, are not only striving to improve extraction efficiency but are also focused on minimizing the environmental impact of industrial activities.
«We are ready to share best practices with our partners, assist in workforce training, establish joint research centers, and implement infrastructure projects in the fields of geology, mining, and ecology. The Mining University, which is hosting this forum, is a leader in engineering education, where advanced approaches to training highly qualified specialists for the industry are being tested. Collaboration at this venue undoubtedly serves the national interests of BRICS countries», - the minister assured.
The event also saw addresses from Evgeny Petrov, head of the Russian Subsoil Use Agency "Rosnedra"; Alexander Beglov, Governor of Saint Petersburg; and Luo Zhanhui, Consul General of China in St. Petersburg. High-profile politicians and representatives from the academic and business communities participated in the panel discussions on the first day of the forum. Notable participants included Yulia Linskaya, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation for Science and Educational Policy; Karin Kneissel, former Austrian Foreign Minister and head of the "G.O.R.K.I." Center at St. Petersburg State University; Tjekero Tweya, Chairman of Kavango Institute of Engineering, Mining & Agriculture, Republic of Namibia; Mishra Sukumar, Director of the Indian Institute of Technology; Natalia Komarova, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy; and Dmitry Vasilenko, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education, and Culture.