What is the Valdai Discussion Club?
For those who are unfamiliar with the Valdai Discussion Club, here’s a bit of background on why its annual forum is such a significant part of the calendar for anyone interested in Russia and its foreign policy direction:
• The Valdai Discussion Club was set up in 2004 and takes its name from Lake Valdai near Veliky Novgorod – the site of the club’s first meeting.
• Symbolizing the club’s importance, Russian President Vladimir Putin was among the officials to attend that first gathering more than 20 years ago. This year’s forum in Sochi is the 22nd annual Valdai gathering.
• In 2014, management of the club was taken over by the Valdai Club Foundation, under the auspices of Russian think tank the Council for Foreign and Defense Policy, the Russian International Affairs Council, Moscow State Institute of International Relations, and the Higher School of Economics.
• The discussion club is headed by regular RT contributor Fyodor Lukyanov, and is regarded as the most influential forum bringing together Russia experts and policy makers. (You can find more of more of Lukyanov’s latest offerings for RT here)
• Symbolizing its global reach, this year’s event brings together 140 participants from 42 countries, including Algeria, Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uzbekistan, and Venezuela.
