CIRSD Presents Latest Issue of Horizons at Moscow State Institute of International Relations
CIRSD Presents Latest Issue of Horizons at Moscow State Institute of International Relations
Moscow, October 16, 2024 – The Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD) presented the latest issue of its flagship Horizons journal at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), one of Russia’s most prestigious academic institutions.
The event, titled “International Cooperation for Sustainable Development,” was co-chaired by CIRSD President Vuk Jeremić and MGIMO’s Rector, Professor Anatoly Torkunov, who is also a Full Member of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It brought together Russia’s thought leaders to discuss the most pressing challenges to sustainable development in today’s rapidly changing global environment. Professor Torkunov, one of the distinguished authors featured in the latest edition of Horizons, contributed valuable insights during the event.
Joining the discussion were several high-profile participants, including Boris Titov, Special Representative of the President of Russia for Relations with International Organizations to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals, Sergey Kononuchenko, Ambassador and Special Representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation on Climate Issues, Andrey Sharonov, General Director of the National ESG Alliance, Igor Yurgens, Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at MGIMO and Stefan Antić, Managing Editor of Horizons.
In his speech, CIRSD President Vuk Jeremić emphasized the complexity of achieving sustainable development, stating that “we now live in a very, very deep geopolitical recession." He attributed this recession to three primary factors: the failure to fairly integrate Russia into the post-Cold War international order, China’s successful rise, and the uneven distribution of wealth generated by globalization. The latter, Jeremić argued, has led to significant political and economic disruptions, particularly in the developed economies of the West.
“The enormous wealth that was generated out of globalization was not mindfully distributed, especially in the West, leading to significant domestic and international complications,” Jeremić explained. He added that, in such times of geopolitical recession, “international organizations tend to suffer, become paralyzed, and blocked.”
The discussion also explored two additional global challenges: the environmental crisis, including the far-reaching impacts of climate change, and the technological revolution, particularly advancements in artificial intelligence. “These two factors further complicate international cooperation, making it exceptionally difficult to achieve sustainable development,” Jeremić said.
He also reflected on the decline of the unipolar world order, previously dominated by Western hegemony. "This era rested on three American monopolies: the use of military force to pursue national interests, the dominance of the U.S. dollar, and the technological superiority," Jeremić noted. He explained that all three monopolies are now under pressure, with China’s rise in the technological domain, Russia’s military operation in Ukraine and ongoing global discussions aimed at creating an alternative international payments system.
The event concluded with a focus on the future, as Jeremić quoted the late Russian ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, saying that "there's one common thing to all wars—they end." Jeremić added, “The question is, what happens after they end? Now is the time to focus on the future and work toward sustainable development goals, preparing for the moment when common solutions become possible once again.”
Horizons Hosts James Dorsey for a Discussion on Middle East Escalation
The Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD) hosted an award-winning journalist and scholar Dr. James M. Dorsey for a special Horizons Discussion on June 23rd, 2025. In conversation with Horizons Managing Editor Stefan Antić, Dorsey unpacked the lightning-fast escalation between Israel and Iran, the Trump administration’s divided response, and the wider stakes for regional and great-power politics.
Read more
Vuk Jeremić at St. Petersburg Economic Forum: “We Are Living in a Time of Grave Geopolitical Instability”
St. Petersburg, June 2025 – Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on the high-level panel “Eco-Rethinking of the Global Financial System,” Vuk Jeremić, President of the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD), delivered a stark warning about the risks posed by escalating global tensions to any serious attempt at international financial system reform.
Read more
CIRSD Hosts Ugandan Presidential Advisor Odrek Rwabwogo in Latest Horizons Discussion: A Deep Dive into Africa’s Industrial Future
The Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD) hosted Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo, Uganda’s Presidential Advisor on Exports and Industrial Development, as the featured guest in the latest installment of its flagship Horizons Discussion series — the main dialogue platform of Horizons journal.
Read more
CIRSD Vice President Stefan Jovanović Speaks at Regional Conference on China’s Role in the Western Balkans
Belgrade, June 5, 2025 – Stefan Jovanović, Vice President of the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD), participated in the regional conference “Democracy Meets Strategy: Parliament’s Place in China Policy”, held in Belgrade. The event gathered parliamentarians, policymakers, and experts from across the Western Balkans to examine the region’s evolving cooperation with the People’s Republic of China.
Read more