Sudan, Russia to deepen cooperation as ministers attend Moscow energy week

October 13, 2025 (MOSCOW) – Sudan’s finance and energy ministers are attending Russian Energy Week in Moscow, a Sudanese official said on Monday, signalling a move to strengthen economic ties between the two nations.

Sudan has strong backing from Russia, with existing agreements in oil, mining, and transportation. The countries have also agreed to use local currencies for trade settlements.

Sudan’s Ambassador to Moscow, Mohamed al-Ghazali, said in a statement that Finance Minister Gibril Ibrahim and Energy Minister Mutasim Ibrahim were attending at the official invitation of the Russian government.

He said the ministers would participate in the main session, expected to be addressed by President Vladimir Putin, and hold bilateral meetings with Russian officials and energy companies.

Al-Ghazali described the high-level participation as a sign of developing bilateral relations, which he said have recently seen “positive momentum” in all areas, especially economic partnerships for reconstruction in Sudan.

The visit comes after a planned Arab-Russian summit in Moscow on October 15, which Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan was due to attend, was postponed because of developments in the Middle East.

The ambassador added that the visit’s timing is significant, coming less than a month after a joint ministerial committee between Sudan and Russia met and signed a protocol for economic and commercial cooperation.

“This participation represents a good opportunity to advance the executive efforts to activate the protocol in the fields of energy and oil,” al-Ghazali stated.

Russian Energy Week is a major international forum discussing energy issues with politicians, experts, and industry leaders. This year’s conference focuses on the new global energy landscape and international cooperation.