Russian president proposes joint projects in biotechnology sector, describing it as key to future global growth
MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin declared that Russia is ready to lead collaborative efforts with BRICS nations to develop the “bioeconomy,” positioning the alliance as the architect of a new global industrial paradigm driven by biotechnology and genetics.
Speaking at the opening of the Future Technologies Forum in Moscow, Putin framed the bioeconomy not merely as a scientific field but as a transformative force shaping the future of civilization. He emphasized that Russia is prepared to implement joint scientific, educational, and investment programs with its BRICS partners to ensure that the benefits of this revolution are shared universally, rather than becoming “privileges for the ‘chosen few.’
“The bioeconomy is far more than a field of scientific knowledge. With their bold ideas, scientists and engineers are already shaping a new reality and a new industrial paradigm—applying advances in biology and genetics to improve people’s lives and preserve our planet,” Putin told the forum, which gathered 1,700 participants from 37 countries.
Putin’s Core Message: A New Reality for All
Putin stressed that equal access to these future technologies is “an indispensable condition for the fair development of our civilisation.” He argued that the sector—bolstered by artificial intelligence—holds the keys to addressing humanity’s most pressing challenges, including climate change, food shortages, and public health crises. He noted that applications extend to “projects both on Earth and in space.”
“Russia is ready to implement joint projects in bioeconomy with partners in BRICS countries,” Putin stated, describing the field as crucial “from the point of view of the quality of global growth.”
“That is why, within BRICS and other associations, as well as through bilateral cooperation, we are ready to implement joint scientific, educational and investment programmes in biotechnology for the benefit of all humanity,” he added.
The BRICS Context
The announcement underscores Russia’s strategy to deepen economic and technological ties within the expanded BRICS bloc. The group, now comprising ten nations—including Brazil, China, India, South Africa, and recent additions Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates—accounts for more than a quarter of global GDP and nearly half the world’s population. The bloc has maintained robust economic ties with Moscow, increasingly utilizing national currencies for trade, a trend Putin has endorsed as part of reshaping the global financial architecture.
Applications and Domestic Strategy
Putin highlighted biotechnology’s broad potential, from replicating natural processes to address resource depletion to the long-term goal of creating functional artificial human organs. While acknowledging that such medical breakthroughs are still distant, he noted that significant progress is being made.
To drive these efforts, Putin directed the Russian government to accelerate the development of a national bioeconomy strategy through 2050 and to create support systems for exporting domestic biotech products, particularly in cooperation with neighboring countries.
Forum Focus and Scientific Heritage
The two-day Future Technologies Forum, running from February 25-26, also explored the role of digital platforms in accelerating scientific research and improving healthcare. Putin noted that Russia is “creating world-class solutions” in this sphere and is ready to share its expertise.
He invoked Russia’s scientific heritage, citing pioneers like Vladimir Vernadsky and Ilya Mechnikov, as foundational to the country’s ambitions in the field. Previous iterations of the forum have focused on quantum technologies, neurobiotechnology, and advanced materials.#
