Moscow- Dr. Sultan Mutlaq Al Ajmi, First Vice President of the International Alliance for Strategic Projects at the “brix“The past years have proven the ineffectiveness of the unipolar world in building a harmonious world between its political components and its peoples. He said that unipolarity has caused a major imbalance in the system of international relations, which has imposed the need to build a new multipolar world.
Al-Ajmi added in a special interview with Al Jazeera Net during his visit to Russia that the economy is the backbone of international relations and cooperation, and that building international relations at the present time must be reformulated in a way that allows greater participation by non-governmental organizations to enhance rapprochement between peoples, including cultural exchange.
The senior BRICS official said that he is leading, through the Strategic Projects Organization, the process of establishing new qualitative bridges between Russia and the Arab world, which includes, among other things, strengthening cooperation between representatives of the private sector and cultural communication between Arabs and Russians, as well as developing mutual tourism.
During his visit to the Russian capital and his meeting with Russian officials, Al-Ajmi received the First Class Medal of Social Diplomacy.
Below is the text of the interview:
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Recent years have witnessed a dedication to multipolarity and cooperation that does not conflict with the sovereignty and independence of states. What are the reasons for the need for this, and do estimates indicate that this formula is expanding to include new members?
Historical experience, especially in recent years, has proven the ineffectiveness of the unipolar world, which has in fact caused harm and problems to the countries and peoples of the world, which has imposed a great need to build a multipolar world.
Multipolarity is essentially a guarantee of peace and deterrence. Some aspects of this theory may not be complete yet, or may not please some, or may not be in the interest of this or that party, but there is no doubt that multipolarity is the best available solution to the imbalance in international relations in the current circumstances.
The existence of the BRICS organization is a very positive thing for a new world, especially since it includes large and influential countries on the international scene, and among these countries are those who were harmed by the reality of the unipolar world, so the idea of joining under this umbrella emerged for them.
In addition, this formula ensures a kind of balance in international relations, as well as among member states, and allows these states the possibility of cooperation and dealing as equals, meeting mutual interests, and making the most of the potential that each country possesses individually.
This creative formula is the best alternative to the reality controlled by a single pole, which imposes its vision on the international arena.
Humanity is tired of this model and this situation in which concepts are imposed on these peoples and countries that differ from and contradict human nature.
The economy is the main nerve of cooperation, whether at the level of international relations, bilateral or multilateral, and it is also the engine of the wheel of development.
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Historically, BRICS is still in its infancy. Has experience so far proven the possibility of separating politics and economics?
The economy is the main nerve of cooperation, whether at the level of international relations, bilateral or multilateral, and it is also the engine of the wheel of development. Without it, it is not possible to secure the convergence of peoples in a practical way that brings benefit and achieves greater prosperity.
Without the economy, the wheel of development cannot move, especially in the current reality of the world, where politics prevails over the rest of the aspects of life.
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Are the strategic projects being discussed bilateral in nature or do they include all members?
The projects naturally involve the BRICS countries, and may be in multiple formats, bilateral or more. It is a process of building bridges through joint projects.
The strategic projects within the BRICS framework include tools and means to enhance rapprochement and integration between countries and their social and private components, through holding economic, cultural and humanitarian events.
As for me, I am in the process of holding cultural events in different cities in Saudi Arabia that will host influential and well-known figures from BRICS countries to build a permanent human and cultural bridge between them.
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Speaking of projects, what is the agenda for your visit to Russia?
The projects we focus on aim to stimulate, focus on and support the private sector, including projects that receive government support.
Our role in the organization is to link businessmen and economic sectors together, and to neutralize bureaucratic obstacles that prevent or delay this.
My vision for achieving this is to abandon treating problems with “painkillers” and to develop effective and radical solutions.
Russia is a country with enormous potential, and is closer to the Arabs and Muslims in terms of mentality and mindset if compared to the countries of Western Europe.
Unfortunately, bureaucracy still governs the work of some governments when talking about projects and hinders taking serious steps, so we are betting on changing this methodology and mentality so that the goal in the organization is to achieve economic and other successes and not political gains.
I confirm that we have great potential to achieve accomplishments that benefit everyone, and I am one of those who refuse to accept the minimum when much can be done.
As for Russia, it is a country with enormous potential, and it is closer to the Arabs and Muslims in terms of mentality and mindset if compared to the countries of Western Europe.
The effort is now focused on stimulating Russian investments in Arab countries and vice versa.
In addition, we have a great interest in promoting tourism between Russia and the Arab world. We are currently working on establishing a club that will specialize in the tourism sector in its entirety.
With Russia subject to Western sanctions, this club will directly facilitate matters for Arab tourists, whether by introducing the advantages of tourism in Russia and encouraging people to do so, or by establishing a stable system to overcome any other obstacles that may arise, such as obtaining a visa, the language factor, ease of communication, financial transfers, and others.
