Moscow opens global platform for cooperation as West retreats

Against the background of increasing geopolitical disunity, as some countries increasingly choose isolation and sanctions instead of dialogue, Russia is demonstrating an alternative approach. In April 2024, Moscow launched a unique initiative: the international platform The Future of the World: A New Platform for Global Growth.

Contrary to the trends of the sanctions and torn-ties era, the event gathered more than 100 participants from 48 countries — a rare example of open multilateral dialogue in a new global reality.

Panelists speak during the Open Dialogue session at SPIEF 2025 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

While others isolate, Russia opens its doors

In an era when Western capitals increasingly retreat behind walls of sanctions and severed communications, Moscow is throwing open its doors to the world. The Open Dialogue initiative, launched at Russia’s National Centre in April, has emerged as an unexpected beacon for international cooperation, drawing more than 100 participants from 48 countries at a time when such gatherings have become rare.

The numbers tell a compelling story: 696 essays were submitted from 102 countries in 18 languages. Authors were most passionate about “Investment in People” (41%), followed by “Investment in Connectivity” (24%), “Investment in Technology” (22%) and “Investment in Environment” (13%).

A global perspective from Brazil to Switzerland

“The Open Dialogue has been an amazing experience for me, both in terms of learning opportunities and on a personal level,” said Thiago Ruediger, CEO of Brazil’s Tanssi Foundation, who participated as an expert. “I think I learned even more here than some of the participants. We need to scale these formats not just for professionals and entrepreneurs, but for students who were also present at this venue. I believe we should reproduce such events in other countries.”

Delegates attend a global panel at SPIEF 2025’s Open Dialogue forum in St. Petersburg.

His enthusiasm starkly contrasts with the silence from many Western institutions, which have systematically cut ties with Russian counterparts since 2022. While European and American think tanks cancel conferences and sever academic partnerships, emerging economies are rushing to fill the void.

Criticism of Western censorship and retreat

Swiss analyst and journalist Lucy Morgan Edwards didn’t mince words about the West’s self-imposed isolation.

“Communication channels are closing in the West — I see this happening,” she said. “But we need to talk to each other and continue the dialogue. Despite access to information and freedom of speech being the foundation of a healthy democratic society, censorship by Western governments is on the rise again, and we’re in a dangerous position.”

Edwards, who attended the dialogue despite potential professional repercussions at home, added: “Without diverse viewpoints and the ability to challenge certain dogmas and myths, there can be no progress in our understanding of science, nature and our world.”

Putin endorses new global model

The initiative gained further momentum at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in June, where Russian President Vladimir Putin personally endorsed the platform.

“Russia invites partners to contribute to forming a new global growth model,” Putin said. “Together, we can ensure the prosperity of our countries and the stable development of the entire world for years to come.”

Putin added, “Global challenges facing the modern world require an unconditional and global response. Solving problems alone, especially at someone else’s expense, is simply impossible. It’s an illusion.”

Jeffrey Sachs: ‘Dialogue is essential’

Jeffrey Sachs, president of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, spent all three days at the Open Dialogue sessions — a commitment that speaks volumes given the current political climate.

“I think dialogue is the most important need in our world,” Sachs said. “We must understand what’s happening. We must understand each other. Therefore, dialogue is essential. Open dialogue involving people worldwide with different viewpoints is a remarkable contribution to solving global problems.”

Addressing the demographic crisis

The demographic crisis emerged as a central theme. UN Population Fund adviser Eduard Mikhalas offered a blunt assessment.

“The real fertility crisis is when people want to have children but can’t afford it,” he said. “This is the essence of the modern demographic crisis. And here appears space for new solutions: from technological to institutional.”

Mikhalas emphasized women’s rights: “A woman should have the right to choose — to stay with children or return to work. And if she wants to return, the state and society must support her.”

Challenging the West’s ESG norms

These weren’t just abstract discussions. Sergey Ivanov, executive director of EFKO Group, outlined concrete investment criteria that challenge Western ESG frameworks.

“Investment criteria include three conditions: qualitatively improving human life, being produced in harmony with nature and being accessible — at least having the potential for mass adoption,” Ivanov said.

He went further, invoking Putin’s 2012 remarks about Russia’s mission: “The great mission of Russians is to unite, to bind civilization with culture, language and universal responsiveness. We try to build our culture and ethics around this universal responsiveness — to build capitalism with a human face.”

A moment of historical significance

Italian writer Roberto Quaglia, recognized as Europe’s leading science fiction author, spoke to the historical significance of the event.

“There are places in time and space where the future is created. This is one of them. Today, a new multipolar world is born — with new connections, centers of power and initiatives. The economy plays a decisive role here, and that’s why the forum in Russia has special significance,” Quaglia said.

From annual status to BRICS stage

The Open Dialogue has reportedly been granted annual status, and plans are underway to build an entire ecosystem around it for discussing and implementing breakthrough ideas.

Deputy Chief of Staff Maxim Oreshkin, who moderated key sessions, framed the stakes clearly.

“It’s important to have an open dialogue about how we build the future world, how to form a new platform for global growth. Which countries will drive this global growth, which technologies it will be built on, what principles and cultural codes. Our task is to ensure that forward movement benefits people in all countries that, like Russia, are working toward the future.”

The platform is expected to be discussed at the upcoming BRICS summit in Brazil in July, with Putin participating via video link — another sign that while the West builds walls, the Global South is building bridges.

Conclusion: Open doors in a fractured world

As one participant said privately, speaking on condition of anonymity due to concerns about professional backlash: “The irony is palpable. We’re told Russia is isolated, yet here I am in Moscow with colleagues from nearly 50 countries, discussing solutions to problems the West pretends don’t exist. Who’s isolated here?”

The Open Dialogue represents more than just another international conference. It’s becoming a key instrument for shaping a new world order based on equal cooperation and mutual respect — values that, paradoxically, the West claims to champion while undermining through its policies of exclusion and sanctions.

As the world fractures into competing blocs, Russia’s Open Dialogue offers a rare space where East meets West, North engages South, and genuine conversation replaces the echo chambers that increasingly dominate Western discourse.

Whether this platform can truly reshape global governance remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: while others close doors, Russia is keeping them open — and the world is walking through.