On June 9-10, 2025, Moscow hosted the Forum of the Future 2050, organized by the Tsargrad Institute at the Lomonosov Educational Cluster. This international gathering brought together prominent figures from politics, journalism, and academia to discuss Russia’s vision for the next 10, 25, and 50 years, focusing on a multipolar world, space exploration, artificial intelligence, robotics, traditional values, and demographic challenges. The event highlighted Russia’s strategic priorities in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Key Participants
The forum featured high-profile speakers, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, former CIA analyst Larry Johnson, American journalist Alex Jones (via video link), economist Jeffrey Sachs, British politician George Galloway, Russian ideologue Alexander Dugin, Tsargrad founder Konstantin Malofeev, and Errol Musk, father of Elon Musk. These voices shaped discussions on geopolitics, technology, and cultural identity.
Sergey Lavrov’s Keynote Speech
During the session “The Multipolar World in the 21st Century,” Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov delivered a keynote address, framing Russia as a leader in the transition to a multipolar world order. Lavrov traced multipolarity to the 1997 Russia-China Declaration, initiated by Yevgeny Primakov, which laid the foundation for alliances like BRICS and the SCO.He accused the U.S. and its allies of imposing a unipolar model through sanctions, military actions, and cultural dominance, undermining global sovereignty. Lavrov emphasized BRICS’ growing economic and demographic weight, highlighting Russia’s partnerships with China, India, and African nations. Also, he positioned Russia as a defender of sovereign development paths, citing its actions in Ukraine as a response to NATO expansion.
Global Governance Reform: Lavrov called for restructuring the UN Security Council and institutions like the IMF to reflect emerging powers, advocating for a culturally diverse, multipolar future.
Lavrov’s speech set a pro-multipolar tone for the forum.
Maria Zakharova’s Speech
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke during the session “A New Course in the Foreign Policy of the Future.” Her address focused on Russia’s foreign policy priorities and its role in shaping a multipolar world.
Zakharova highlighted the West’s use of media and disinformation to maintain global dominance, accusing western media for pushing biased narratives.
She praised Russia’s ability to maintain strong ties with the Global South despite Western sanctions, citing deepened relations with countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Zakharova emphasized protecting Russia’s cultural and historical identity against Western liberal ideologies, which she described as eroding traditional values globally.
She advocated for a foreign policy based on mutual respect and non-interference, contrasting this with Western interventionism. Zakharova noted Russia’s leadership in forums like BRICS and the SCO as evidence of its growing influence. She warned of escalating global tensions calling for proactive diplomacy to prevent conflicts and promote cooperation on issues like technology.
Zakharova’s speech reinforced Lavrov’s themes, positioning Russia as a diplomatic counterweight to the West and a champion of global fairness.
Other Key Themes and Discussions
The forum was structured into three tracks: Development, State, and Society. Major sessions included:The Multipolar World in the 21st Century : Lavrov, Johnson, Galloway, and other dignitaries discussed the decline of Western dominance and the emergence of new power centers.
Russian Space: Race for Mars : Errol Musk, alongside Russian experts, explored Russia’s space ambitions, praising Moscow’s infrastructure.
MAGA in Moscow : Larry Johnson and Jackson Hinkle linked U.S. political unrest to global destabilization, with Johnson alleging that U.S. Democrats enable lawlessness.
The City of the Future: Moscow 2050 : Malofeev and Alexey Komov envisioned Moscow as a global urban leader.
Family Comes First 2050 : Malofeev, Dugin, and Maria Lvova-Belova emphasized traditional family values.
AI, Robotics, and Technology : TED-style talks, including by Larry Johnson, explored AI’s role in warfare and society, addressing risks and opportunities.
Notable Moments of the Forum:
Larry Johnson’s discussion of U.S. policy aligned with the forum’s conservative values and fairness. Errol Musk praised Moscow’s resilience and cleanliness, subtly addressing his son Elon’s political disputes with U.S. President Donald Trump. Alex Jones warned of global conflict, resonating with conservative themes.
George Galloway and Jeffrey Sachs critiqued Western policies, Sachs advocating for cooperative global solutions.
The Forum of the Future 2050 positioned Russia as a hub for global dialogue on technology, and cultural identity. Lavrov and Zakharova’s speeches underscored Russia’s strategic vision, countering Western influence and promoting a multipolar order. By hosting diverse voices, from Russian officials to Western dignitaries, the event projected Moscow as a forward-thinking global player.
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