Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov launched work on the “Eurasian Charter of Diversity and Multipolarity in the 21st Century” on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York. The initiative aims to create a pan-continental forum for Eurasian states by October 2027, addressing a perceived lack of overarching structures similar to those in Africa and Latin America.
Launch of the Eurasian Charter at the UN General Assembly
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov convened Asian and Eurasian leaders on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly to initiate drafting work on the “Eurasian Charter of Diversity and Multipolarity in the 21st Century.” According to official reports, the project stems from growing geopolitical diversity and emerging multipolarity across the continent.
The drafting session was co-chaired by Lavrov and Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov. Participating countries during the September 25 high-level week session included Belarus, Vietnam, Iran, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Union of Myanmar, Russia, and Tajikistan.
Structure and Negotiation Timeline Toward Minsk Summit
Negotiations for the Charter will follow a consensus-based model conducted in English. The process is open to all Eurasian states, with an initial core expert group established to draft the text. Belarus will chair the negotiation process, hosting the first in-person round of talks in Minsk by the end of 2026.
The schedule anticipates four to five rounds of three-day negotiations. Organizers aim to finalize a leaders’ text by approximately October 2027. Adoption of the Charter is planned for a subsequent summit in Minsk once participating states reach a final agreement.
Objectives and Participation Guidelines
According to the joint statement, the Charter aims to establish a political foundation for pan-Eurasian cooperation, strengthen economic partnerships, and enhance cultural and humanitarian ties. Participating states retain the independent right to determine their stance on the final document and can withdraw from negotiations at any stage.
The initiating states hold no exclusive powers over the Charter’s content. Late-joining Eurasian states may participate following notification to the chair and lack of objection from current signatories, retaining the right to propose amendments to previously discussed provisions.
Core principles and origins of the Eurasian Charter
What is the Eurasian Charter of Diversity and Multipolarity?
It is a proposed political document intended to define principles of cooperation, economic partnership, and security across the Eurasian space, functioning as a pan-continental forum.
Who are the initial co-authors of the Charter concept?
The concept was initially co-authored by the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, rooted in discussions originating from the October 2023 International Conference on Eurasian Security in Minsk.
When and where will negotiations take place?
Negotiations will occur across four to five in-person rounds in rotating capitals of interested Eurasian states, starting with Minsk by the end of 2026, with a target leaders’ text expected around October 2027.
Worth a look