Dr. Antoinette R. Raquiza attended the Russia-ASEAN University Forum, held on 1-2 September 2016 at the Far Eastern Federal University campus in Vladivostok upon the invitation of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO University) and Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU). The Forum was aimed at promoting shared development and security, academic cooperation, as well as greater cultural understanding between Russia and the Southeast Asian countries.
The two-day activity brought together more than 100 government officials, education experts, business leaders, and academics from Russia and ASEAN countries to discuss common concerns in the fields of regional security, science and business education, culture, and university management. Organized by the ASEAN Centre of the MGIMO University, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and FEFU’s Oriental Institute-School of Regional and International Studies the discussions highlighted the important role that universities and think tanks play in promoting Track II diplomacy, knowledge-production and sharing, and community-building.
Dr. Raquiza noted that the Forum signals Russia’s growing interest in raising its visibility and presence in East Asia and, notable, the Southeast. The Forum followed in the heels of the Sochi ASEAN-Russian Summit last May and was held alongside the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), which was attended by world leaders, notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Japan Prime Minister Abe, South Korean President Park. That Vladivostok, located in the southernmost part of the Far Eastern Region, was the venue for both forums was symbolic as it highlights Russia’s territorial reach into Asia. Equally significant, this year marks the 20th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia relations. According to Dr. Raquiza, whether Russia will present a distinct pole in the changing power relations in the region bears watching.