The Second Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum was held in St. Petersburg on July 27-28. The Russian Geographical Society presented an exhibition stand on the activities of the Russian Geographical Society on the continent, which is considered the ancestral homeland of mankind, at the large-scale summit. In particular, the exhibition is telling about the expeditions of the founder of the geography of cultivated plants and the president of the Geographical Society of the USSR Nikolai Vavilov to Ethiopia (1927), zoologist Ivan Sokolov to Kenya (1914), traveler, artist and public figure Alexander Chikin to Central Africa (1888).
Among other things, archival exhibits were presented at the stand: the originals of the diaries of Ivan Sokolov and Alexander Chikin, a box with slides by Nikolai Vavilov. Copies of photographs from their expeditions could also be seen here. The documentary film "Russia: A Virtual Tour", using VR technologies, showed the guests of the forum the modern activities of the RGS.
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A meeting of the representatives of the Russian Geographical Society and the scientific community of the Republic of Mozambique was also held at the Russia–Africa Forum. Sergey Katikov, Advisor to the President of the Russian Geographical Society on International Activities, and Alina Lisenkova, Director of the Expert Analytics and International Affairs Department, held talks with the Rector of Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) Manuel Guilherme Junior and the Director of the UEM Coordination Office Manuel Chenene.
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During the meeting, agreements were reached on the work on the opening of the RGS Center in Mozambique, the participation of UEM students in expeditions, environmental education camps, and other RGS projects aimed at developing international humanitarian dialogue. The issues of organizing student and academic exchanges for specialists in the field of geography, as well as cooperation with relevant organizations and departments of Mozambique through the mediation of Eduardo Mondlane University were discussed.
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The RGS also took part in the official cultural program of the forum. The guests of the event visited the Headquarters of the Russian Geographical Society in St. Petersburg, where they got acquainted with specially prepared exhibits. They are dedicated to the history of the Society and the building itself, as well as the activities of the RGS on the African continent, including the expedition of the poet and translator Nikolai Gumilev to Abyssinia in 1913.