On November 6, curtain on the International Symposium “Inventing the Future” concluded in Moscow. It became the first event held at the National Center RUSSIA with more than 6,000 people from 101 countries taking part including delegation from Ghana.
President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, addressed the event’s participants with a welcoming speech. He noted that despite the current challenges we face today, it is essential to set goals that are ahead of time, outline new breakthrough directions, and strive to look beyond the horizon of tomorrow.
“I will emphasize the main point — we must determine our future solely by ourselves — based on a sovereign worldview, national culture, relentless creative pursuit, and firm commitment to undeniable moral and patriotic ideals and values. Only then will the boldest and most daring dreams inevitably come true. Our people have proven this time and again throughout our thousand-year history. We built a great power, opened the way to the stars for humanity, ensured the country’s leadership in the peaceful use of atomic energy, and achieved monumental scientific and geographical discoveries. Both we and future generations must live up to the legacy of our fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers,” Vladimir Putin emphasized.
In his presentation on Future of Food and Food Security, the CEO of the Ghana-Russia Center for Commerce and Relations, Mr. John Aggrey stated, “it has taking us centuries on this global shame of hunger. Yet, with 2030 to wrap on the SDGs, over 650 million of the Africa’s continent still lack economic or physical access to sufficient food according to the Africa Agriculture Status Report 2023. The Head of Business Development and Innovations at the company, Madam Ziona Ayorkor Biney, took a stand on women in agriculture emphasizing that, “involving women and girls in agriculture is vital to foster environmental resilience, food security, and sustainable development”.
The First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation and the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the National Center RUSSIA, Sergei Kiriyenko, highlighted the interdisciplinary significance of the event during the opening plenary discussion “Philosophy of the Future,” which encouraged consolidated work among specialists from various fields.
Discussions at the Symposium focused on four key areas: the future of humanity, the future of technology, the future of a multipolar world, and the future of civilizations.
“The ‘Inventing the Future’ Symposium became a vibrant platform for bold ideas and the uniting of talents for a better world. Here, scientists, writers, futurists, artists, and technologists from dozens of countries gathered to create a new vision of a fair, engaging, and harmonious future. I sincerely thank everyone who shares this dream with us, and I believe this is only the first step on the path to our shared achievements,” said Natalia Virtuozova, Director General of the National Center RUSSIA.
The First Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Russian Federation, Denis Manturov, in his speech at the Symposium emphasized the importance of developing international cooperation in the scientific and social spheres.
Mr. John Aggrey in his concluding presentation, made a passionate call adding that, “to sustain the future of food and food security does not equate to how much money is pumped into the system but rather innovative solutions backed by data, research and needs. This should be science-based approaches to reducing food waste, enhancing agricultural infrastructures and promoting more efficient and sustainable production techniques including fair trading practices. These actions are needed to ensure improving and sustaining our food security. Post-harvest and agro-processing technologies geared towards food preservation, storage and its longevity should be enhanced as these serve as critical added value to ensure food security for future generations”.
He used the opportunity to engage other industry experts to draw attention to the prospects Ghana’s agricultural sector has to offer. He said, “as one of the largest sectors, agriculture, fuels the Ghanaian economy and is a top investment destination with many opportunities for investors”.
Throughout the three days of the Symposium, the library of the National Center RUSSIA was enriched with book editions presented as gifts by foreign visitors. Unique samples were brought by participants from India, Iran, Italy, Canada, China, Malaysia, Moldova, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, and the United States.
