By Politico staff writer
Sergey E. Cheremin a minister of the Government of Russia has called for Sierra Leone’s support towards their bid to host the 2030 EXPO. He made the call on Monday 11 October 2021 while presenting the bid to Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Mohamed Yongawo, at the Ministry’s conference hall in Moscow.
The Minister who is Head of the Department of External Economic and International Relations in Moscow said that Russia has deepened ties with African countries when President Vladimir Putin organized the Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi; to find new ways of cooperation between the government and people of the Russian Federation and African leaders.
“We are grateful for the attendance of President Bio of the Sochi Summit,” he said.
He added: "We have greatly improved on Moscow’s infrastructural development. We have advanced in modern technology as a city. We have also worked as a government to put Moscow amongst the best and beautiful cities in the world”.
Sheremin said that Russia has participated in Expos for the past 170 years since its inception, mentioning Moscow’s geographical location with ultra-modern facilities.
"We have submitted our bid; Russia has participated in all Universal EXPOs since the maiden one in London in 1851, and we are also participating in the ongoing EXPO in Dubai, and our pavilion is one of the most beautiful and decorated in that Expo,” he said.
He said the title of the bid for Expo 2030 is ‘HUMAN PROGRESS: A SHARED VISION FOR A WORLD OF HARMONY’.
He spoke about their unsuccessful 2020/2025 EXPO bid but believed with the support of President Putin and the Moscow government, they have been able to put up a bid for Moscow city with four International Airports. “We have hosted a successful World Cup, Olympic Games, and large fora and summits; and the country has been recognized globally as an outstanding host. We are hopeful Russia will win and host the Expo 2030,” he added.
In his statement, Ambassador Yongawo said that Sierra Leone was one of the first African countries post-independent, to establish diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union in 1962, which has continued with the Russian Federation-spanning over 59 years.
“Whilst diplomatic relations with Russia appears to be flourishing and has particularly taken a positive turn in the last 3 years, and Sierra Leonean citizens are immensely benefiting from educational support from the Russian Federation, our bilateral trade is in low single digits – in US$ millions,” he said.
“The latter should be of particular focus as there are untapped possibilities in both countries. I am convinced that there are lots of possibilities and areas for collaboration between Sierra Leone-my small Western African Country and Moscow with the Ministry of Local and Rural Development in the area of Local Governance.”
He added: “Thus, I am seeking for deepening collaboration and strengthening of ties and exchanges of ideas, in particular, running a successful local government in all facets in the 21st Century with all its ascendant difficulties.”
The Ambassador went on to note that during his three years as envoy, he has noted 120 beautiful parks in Moscow-from Gorky, to Sokolniki, Izmailovsky and the Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve.
He observed that despite the large population and the huge task of running a massive cosmopolitan city like Moscow, the city’s administration appears to be doing so seamlessly. “Among others, the city always appears bright, clean and orderly. This is all down to the great work the Mayor and all of you are doing”, he said.
“Allow me, therefore, to use this opportunity in seeking through the Moscow Mayor’s office, a working visit to Moscow by the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development," he concluded.
Copyright © Politico Online 13/10/21
