MOSCOW. March 17 (Interfax) - Delegations from 39 countries are expected to take part in the second Russia-Africa international parliamentarian conference, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said on Friday.
"Delegations from 39 countries are planning to attend. Many of them are already in Russia and are actively meeting with colleagues," a statement on the State Duma's website quoted Volodin as saying.
The first forum of the kind, which took place in 2019, involved 36 African countries, he said.
"The growing number of participants proves the special nature of friendly relations between Russia and Africa. The plans of Washington and Brussels to isolate Africa and Russia have failed," Volodin said.
He said he was sure that "parliaments can do a lot for the development of relations on the principles of respect, non-interference in internal affairs of countries, and mutually beneficial cooperation."
"Our conference will serve as an important stage in preparations for the Second Russia-Africa Summit due in St. Petersburg in summer of this year with the participation of heads of state," Volodin said.