Maxim Orlov: Expanding Cooperation Requires Moving From Discussions to Concrete Projects
Moscow is hosting the third Russia–Africa Summit and the Economic and Humanitarian Forum.
Representatives of Russia and African countries are exploring opportunities to expand cooperation in economics, science, education, and technology, while discussing ways to implement joint initiatives.
Maxim Orlov, director of public relations at Aeroflot PJSC, spoke to the IT Russia media platform about how transport connectivity and digital technologies shape international cooperation, how Aeroflot is developing its own technological capabilities, and why the success of cooperation should be measured by tangible projects.
– Transport connectivity and digital technologies are becoming important prerequisites for international cooperation. The easier it is for people to travel between countries, access services, and exchange information, the more opportunities emerge for economic, humanitarian, and business ties.
Aeroflot’s experience shows that digital transformation requires not only the introduction of new services but also the development of in-house technological capabilities. The company is steadily working to replace imported software, automate processes, and cooperate with Russian IT companies. For example, it is expanding its use of artificial intelligence. By 2030, AI is expected to handle around 70% of communications and be used in roughly half of the company’s processes. One practical example is a passenger voice assistant powered by GigaChat, a Russian language model.
These projects can improve operational efficiency and infrastructure resilience. The practical value of technology, however, depends on how well it meets the actual needs of businesses and passengers.
These issues are directly relevant to the agenda of the 2nd Global Digital Forum, held earlier, and the Russia–Africa Summit. Expanding cooperation requires moving from exchanging views to implementing concrete projects, strengthening transport links, developing digital services, and building technological expertise. Joint development projects and knowledge sharing are also important, enabling partners to create solutions tailored to their own needs and circumstances.
Developing Russia’s relations with African countries means finding mutually beneficial ways to work together across a range of areas, from transport and infrastructure to digital technologies. Ultimately, the success of international cooperation is measured not by the number of agreements reached, but by how effectively they are put into practice and the new opportunities they create for people and businesses.
