Kuala lumpur: Malaysia and Russia have agreed to finalize the 2027 Joint Action Plan by the end of this year to ensure that cooperation between the two countries is more structured and results-oriented, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir. This decision was reached during the Fifth Meeting of the Malaysia-Russia Joint Commission for Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation (JC-ESTC), which Zambry co-chaired with Russian Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, this year's JC-ESTC meeting, held in Vladivostok, focused on transforming the strong bilateral ties into more concrete cooperation, building on the momentum of high-level interactions involving Malaysian and Russian leaders. In higher education and human capital development, Russia will continue to offer 40 Russian Government scholarships annually to Malaysian students. Additionally, the two countries plan to organize the inaugural Malaysia-Russia Rectors' Forum in 2027 and expand various educational and youth development programs.
In trade, agriculture, and investment, discussions were held on expanding market access and strengthening trade cooperation, with a focus on the supply of fertilizers to support Malaysia's food security. Strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence, digital technology, and renewable energy were also focal points, with both sides exploring cooperation in these areas, including the peaceful use of nuclear energy, subject to legal and regulatory compliance.
Financial cooperation has seen progress as well, with involvement from Bank Negara Malaysia and the Bank of Russia. Discussions included exploring Labuan's role as an international financial center, as well as potential cooperation in Islamic finance and digital assets. The meeting also witnessed the exchange of three cooperation agreements between Malaysian and Russian higher education institutions, fostering opportunities for collaborative networks.
The agreements reached at the JC-ESTC aim to translate into beneficial initiatives for the people of both countries. Malaysia is set to host the sixth JC-ESTC in 2027, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of Malaysia-Russia diplomatic relations, ensuring the continuation of this collaborative momentum.