Everyone has their role to play. Sanctions do not need to be imposed, but we must consider how best to conduct dialogue.

In your opinion, what role does this event play in strengthening political dialogue between Zambia and Russia? And what specific results can be expected from this event, in your opinion?

So, first of all, my name is George Manza. I am the mayor of Chia, Zambia. And, of course, I am delighted to be in Moscow today and to be participating in the BRICS Urban Future Summit. And what is the role of this summit? First of all, it brings together like-minded people. You know, when we think together about the challenges we face in terms of digitalisation, in terms of ecology, in terms of moving from where we are to where we want to be.

So, this is it. The platform plays a very key role in close cooperation, joint thinking and finding solutions for the future, while we transform and improve the lives of our people, starting with cities where all lives are connected to our city. So, it is a very critical and, above all, important summit. This brings us together and strengthens our relationship so that we can continue. I am thinking, for example, about robotic challenges, but locally, where we encounter them. Thank you.

In your opinion, does Russia have any technology or infrastructure that could be useful? Just to clarify, Sandia or Russia?

Russia has done a great job in terms of technological progress. There is no doubt about that. Russia has the necessary technologies that we can all use to transform and improve cities in terms of technology, in terms of urban transport, air transport technology, mobility, logistics, but also technology in terms of providing services to citizens.

So, so, so Russia has sufficient capacity. It is, so to speak, the big brother when it comes to technological progress. And in Zambia, we want to attach ourselves to Russia as a true friend, not just today, but for many years to come. The history of Zambia and Russia is very clear, and that is why we look forward to learning more from Russia, especially in the field of technological progress. We need Russian technology. To transform our cities, manage our industry and ensure a better life for our people in the country.

And the third question is whether, in your opinion, given the sanctions imposed on Russia by the West, our countries could take political steps to reduce rates more effectively? A whole range of restrictive sanctions, tariffs and many others have been imposed.

My view on sanctions is that they are imposed by those who impose sanctions on the rest of the world. So, in my opinion, the rest of the world has a large number of people to trade with, to cooperate more and to use the abundance of raw materials that exist in other countries. Friends of the rest of the world, friends of Russia and many other countries, should really trade with each other and exchange experiences. And it is time to be more united, because when you are united, you have enough people. And you are able to overcome all the challenges that may be imposed on you today. Today it is Russia, tomorrow it will be another country, and there will be many other countries, so when you unite, we have enough people to resist it.

When you have enough people, you create an internal market. You can develop. You can use the people you have to improve the lives of people around your countries, and even those who have imposed sanctions on you and who know that you have enough people. They have no choice but to cooperate with you. Otherwise, my message to the rest of the world is to unite, to break free from this existence of sanctions, but rather through dialogue. And to see how best we can all have a place in the rest of the world, so that everyone can play their part.

Everyone has their role to play. We don't need to keep imposing sanctions on others, but we must always think about how we can best engage in dialogue, come up with a solution, and we are glad that our leaders have been meeting recently. We hope that these meetings will continue and culminate in long-term peace, long-term progress and long-term cooperation. But the rest of the world. It has the numbers and should be able to use those numbers to trade with each other, to learn from each other, to use the experience, technology and available raw materials and the enormous potential of the young population that exists in these countries to create the new world we all desire.

(by) news.mos