Russia has reaffirmed its commitment to a multipolar world order anchored on international law, sovereign equality and civilizational diversity, arguing that global power is steadily shifting away from a unipolar system dominated by a few states.
This position was outlined in a comprehensive diplomatic briefing titled “Russia in a Multipolar World Order: African Perspective,” delivered to mark Russia’s Diplomatic Service Day, a professional holiday celebrating the country’s long-standing diplomatic traditions.
The briefing stressed that the era of a unipolar world has ended, citing the rise of new economic and political centres across Asia, Africa and Latin America. According to the Russian position, these regions — described as the “world majority” — now account for the bulk of global population growth and an increasing share of economic output, challenging the dominance of the traditional Western-led system.
Russia argued that attempts to impose a so-called “rules-based order” outside the framework of international law have weakened global stability, replacing diplomacy with unilateral actions and sanctions. It maintained that genuine global security can only be achieved through respect for sovereignty, non-interference and equal, indivisible security for all states.
At the core of Russia’s argument is the United Nations Charter, which it described as the constitutional foundation of international relations. Moscow called for strengthening the UN’s central role while reforming global institutions to better reflect contemporary realities, including expanded representation for Africa, Asia and Latin America in the UN Security Council.
The briefing also emphasized civilizational diversity as a defining feature of the emerging world order, rejecting the idea that any single political, economic or cultural model can be universally applied. Russia maintained that multipolarity is not merely about the distribution of power, but about the coexistence of multiple development paths based on history, identity and national choice.
Africa featured prominently in the briefing as a rising independent force in global affairs. Russia highlighted the continent’s growing political coordination through the African Union, the African Continental Free Trade Area, and Agenda 2063, describing Africa as a future pole of global growth alongside Asia and the West.
Moscow praised African states for increasingly asserting independent positions on global issues, including neutrality during major international crises and resistance to external pressure to align with sanctions or military blocs. It also welcomed Africa’s growing role in mediation efforts and peace initiatives beyond the continent.
Russia reiterated its support for Africa’s long-standing demand for permanent representation on the UN Security Council, referencing the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration as legitimate expressions of Africa’s collective will.
On Russia–Africa relations, the briefing underscored a partnership based on equality, mutual benefit and non-interference. It pointed to expanding cooperation in education, energy, food security, healthcare and security, noting that more than 32,000 African students are currently studying in Russia, supported by increased scholarship quotas.
Special attention was given to Nigeria, which Russia described as a strategic partner and a leading power in Africa. The briefing highlighted Nigeria’s political influence, economic scale, demographic weight and leadership role within ECOWAS and the African Union, describing the country as a potential global centre of influence in the evolving multipolar system.
Russia expressed support for Nigeria’s aspirations to play a larger role in global governance, including possible representation in a reformed UN Security Council, in line with Africa’s common positions.
Bilateral cooperation between Russia and Nigeria, according to the briefing, is entering a new phase, with growing engagement in education, energy, industrial development, military-technical cooperation and healthcare. Moscow also noted Nigeria’s support for several Russian-backed initiatives at the United Nations, including resolutions against the glorification of Nazism and neo-Nazism.
In conclusion, Russia argued that the multipolar world is no longer theoretical but an objective reality shaped by economic, demographic and political shifts. It called for an international order free from domination, racism and neo-colonial practices, insisting that global stability depends on dialogue among civilizations and respect for the sovereign choices of all nations.
The briefing ended with a call for Africa and emerging powers to play a central role in shaping a more balanced, just and inclusive international system.
