At the opening of the Russia–ASEAN Business Forum in Kazan on June 17, ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kimhorn announced that ASEAN countries are committed to increasing cooperation with Russia, particularly in energy and food security sectors.
Kimhorn stated that efforts are underway to develop partnerships with Russian businesses for diverse liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies, infrastructure networks, and modernization of existing systems. He also noted that ASEAN nations aim to diversify and strengthen their supply chains for goods and energy through collaboration with Russia while identifying opportunities in food security.
Russian Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov reported on June 16 that trade turnover between Russia and ASEAN has grown by nearly 60% over the past decade, reaching approximately $22 billion. He recalled that cooperation began in 1991 when the first Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, Yuri Maslyukov, attended a meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in Kuala Lumpur.
Additionally, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated on June 6 at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum that the upcoming Russia–ASEAN summit would demonstrate “the way to the future” for the global community. She emphasized that the further development of global processes is closely linked to the principles of multipolarity and polycentricity.
