Dr. Diana Galeeva‏‏

In the recent Russian presidential elections, Vladimir Putin cemented his hold on <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/17/world/europe/russia-putin-election.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">power</a> and won another six-year term. A few days earlier, on 29 February 2024, in Putin’s annual address to the Federal Assembly, he <a href="http://www.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/65418" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">emphasized</a> that Russia has long-standing good relations with Arab states and is seeking new points of contact with "our Arab friends" in order to deepen a wide range of partnerships. This article evaluates and suggests future areas for Russian-GCC cooperation as well as explores the key points of the Russian president’s address to the Federal Assembly. The article also compares Russia’s vision for 2030 with its GCC counterparts, including Saudi Vision 2030, the UAE’s Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 and Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), Qatar National Vision 2030, Kuwait 2035 ("New Kuwait"), the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, and Oman Vision 2040. Moreover, it explores potential avenues for building bilateral relations leading up to 2030 based on the goals these countries have articulated, and consider opportunities for partners to pursue program alignment as part of a "smart power" strategy to achieve domestic objectives while further boosting bilateral relations. Thus, these strategic vision documents that set forth 2030 development plans in both Russia and in the Gulf could serve to strengthen international dialogue and cooperation.Putin has spoken about the importance of strategic vision for Russia’s development leading up to 2030. In his February 2024 speech, he <a href="http://www.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/65418" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">noted</a> that every presidential address to the Federal Assembly is a look into the future, and highlighted the importance of discussing not only immediate plans but also strategic tasks pertaining to issues of critical importance for long-term Russian development. Putin’s address also drew attention to the importance of family values, the development of science, economic issues, regional development, cultural heritage, and alternative logistics routes. He indicated that these areas could become "points of contact" in deepening bilateral relations between Russia and the Gulf countries.Economics and Science: In the near future, Russia plans to become one of the four largest economic powers in the world. It aims to develop centers of science and education throughout the country and to build 25 university campuses by 2030. In addition, Russia intends to establish an cooperative network, develop international technological platforms, and embark on geo-exploration for rare earth materials and other raw materials for a new economy. Putin highlighted the importance of utilizing artificial intelligence with the goal of increasing the volume of investment in key industries by 70 percent as of 2030. He also indicated that the banking system and stock markets should ensure sufficient influx of capital into the real sector of the economy. The Russian president also discussed the development of the agro-industrial complex, since Russia is the leader in the global wheat market and by 2030 aims to increase export volumes by 150 percent compared to 2021. Russia also hopes to create digital platforms in all key sectors of economic and societal spheres and to support the constituent entities of the Russian Federation by launching projects in the real sector of the economy as well as infrastructure. By 2030, Putin’s goal is for all regions to become more economically self-sufficient.Preservation of Cultural Heritage: This is another aspect of utilizing "smart power" to bolster relations between the Russian Federation and the Gulf countries, as is discussed further below. In his address, Putin paid tribute to ancient buildings, estates, and temples as the embodiment of Russian national identity, and proposed establishing a 20-year program for the preservation of cultural heritage sites. Russia intends to designate at least a thousand cultural heritage sites throughout the country by 2030. Putin’s address drew attention to the development of the International North-South Transport Corridor as the key point of contact in this field between Russia and the Gulf. This corridor will connect Russia with the Middle East and Asia in order to increase railway capacity, particularly for transport southwards.<a href="https://www.vision2030.gov.sa/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Saudi Vision 2030</a>:&nbsp;This program aims to reduce Saudi Arabia’s oil dependence and diversify its economy, and includes more than 40 innovative projects. One of the most iconic projects of Vision 2030 is <a href="https://www.vision2030.gov.sa/en/projects/neom/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NEOM</a>, a futuristic region in northwestern Saudi Arabia powered by 100 percent renewable energy. <a href="https://www.vision2030.gov.sa/en/projects/the-line/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The LINE</a>, <a href="https://www.vision2030.gov.sa/en/projects/oxagon/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Oxagon</a>, <a href="https://www.vision2030.gov.sa/en/projects/trojena/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Trojena</a> and <a href="https://www.vision2030.gov.sa/en/projects/the-rig/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sindalah</a> are all being implemented within the framework of the NEOM project.Culture and heritage projects such as the <a href="https://www.vision2030.gov.sa/en/projects/historic-mosques/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques</a> highlight the beautiful and rich history of Saudi Arabia’s Islamic heritage. This project seeks to restore 130 of the Kingdom’s most treasured mosques, while the <a href="https://www.vision2030.gov.sa/en/projects/royal-arts-complex/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Royal Arts Complex Project</a> consists of seven distinct cultural sites, each embodying Vision 2030 and designed to inspire talent and enrich the cultural sector. Meanwhile, the mission of the <a href="https://www.vision2030.gov.sa/en/projects/saudi-genome-program/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Saudi Genome Program</a> is to create an innovative database to reflect the genetic blueprint of Saudi society and revolutionize healthcare by personalizing medicine, reducing healthcare costs, and increasing overall quality of life. Other innovative projects include the <a href="https://www.vision2030.gov.sa/en/projects/alkhafji/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Al Khafji Desalination Plant</a> (the world’s largest solar-powered water desalination project) and <a href="https://www.vision2030.gov.sa/en/projects/solar-pv-cell-plant/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the Solar PV Cell Plant</a>, which uses new solar energy technologies and develops commercial-grade equipment that can weather extreme heat and sandstorms.<a href="https://www.actvet.gov.ae/en/Media/Lists/ELibraryLD/economic-vision-2030-full-versionEn.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030</a>: The key objectives of this vision are to comprehensively assess key economic growth opportunities through 2030 and to create a comprehensive long-term economic vision with clear objectives. The main goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, or <a href="https://www.visitdubai.com/en/invest-in-dubai/why-dubai/d33-agenda" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">D33 program</a>, are to develop Dubai as an economic hub, a global leader in the digital economy, the safest emerging city in the world, and an international hub. D33 seeks to create a favorable business environment to stimulate domestic investment in climate issues and attract foreign direct investment to Dubai. This economic agenda aims to transform Dubai into one of the world’s leading financial capitals by 2033.<a href="https://www.psa.gov.qa/en/qnv1/Pages/default.aspx" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Qatar Vision 2030</a>: This vision focuses on the responsible utilization of oil and gas, developing an optimal approach to carbon resources, balancing between reserves and additional production, and managing economic diversification and depletion. It aims to produce a strong oil and gas sector that will generate advanced technological innovations and to promote the development of human resources and economic potential throughout Qatar.<a href="https://www.mofa.gov.kw/en/pages/kuwait-vision-2035" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kuwait Vision 2035</a> and the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030: The New Kuwait program aims to transform Kuwait into a regional and international financial and trade hub. Meanwhile, the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 is a comprehensive plan that aims to create a clear approach to economic development to improve living standards for all Bahraini citizens.<a href="https://mem.gov.om/en-us/About-Us/Oman-Vision-2040" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Oman Vision 2040</a>: This program strives to build a productive and diversified economy based on innovation, role integration, and equal opportunity by leveraging Oman’s competitive advantages and promoting private sector-led integration into the global economy. It also aims to pursue active involvement in international trade and to achieve sustainable development based on effective economic leadership.Joseph Nye’s theories of hard, <a href="https://www.softpowerclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Nye-Soft-power-the-evolution-of-a-concept-1.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">soft</a>, and <a href="https://archive.org/details/futureofpower0000nyej/page/n6/mode/1up" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">smart</a> power have become popular in academic and political discourse. Hard power consists of using material resources, material capabilities, and force to exert power, while soft power is the ability to co-opt rather than coerce. However, the most successful strategies depends on using both soft and hard power in effective collaboration, an approach which Nye calls "smart power."There are opportunities for joint Russia-GCC innovation and development through creating shared forums to discuss Vision 2030 programs. For example, Russia and Saudi Arabia could hold a forum to bring together experts and specialists to discuss how to integrate programs and projects, taking into account the interests and capabilities of each country. Russia and Saudi Arabia could discuss the potential involvement of Russian specialists in developing NEOM, as well as opportunities for cooperation in the medical and healthcare fields, including the Saudi Genome Program. This collaboration could also be directed towards the implementation of innovative projects such as the AlKhafji Desalination Plant and Solar PV Cell Plant.Russia’s plans for cultural and regional projects could also be strengthened through joint work with Arab partners. For example, Russian partners could coordinate with GCC cultural and heritage projects, such as the Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques and the Royal Arts Complex. These efforts could also draw on the heritage of Russian Muslims and their mosques and cultural monuments. One such opportunity for cultural heritage development is the house of Z.G. Galeev, a famous merchant whose financial contributions supported the construction of a cathedral mosque in Chelyabinsk. Today, this site has become a bar, but the joint engagement of cultural heritage partners could make it possible to create a museum of Islamic heritage in Chelyabinsk or a library of Islam in the South Ural.For its part, Kuwait is interested in becoming a regional and international financial and trade hub. Kuwait’s efforts in this direction could facilitate new banking and financial systems projects as part of these new realities and transformations. The Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 aims to improve the standard of living of all Bahraini citizens and joint programs would facilitate these goals.Oman’s innovative approaches could also be applied to Russian international technological platforms aimed at geo-exploration, the search for rare earth materials, and other raw materials for the new economy. Joint Russia-Qatar gas and oil projects would be another avenue for potential cooperation. Finally, Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s vision programs could be integrated with Russian projects in the field of science, economics, and finance as well as in the implementation of the International North-South Transport Corridor.&nbsp;&nbsp;

What Potential Collaboration Areas Exist between Russia and the GCC?