The Russian president has outlined plans to develop the bioeconomy at the Future Technologies Forum in Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a plenary session of the Future Technologies Forum in Moscow, Russia on February 25, 2026. © Sputnik / Evgeny Biyatov
Russian
President Vladimir Putin has proposed joint bioeconomy projects with
other BRICS nations, positioning the economic bloc at the forefront of
what he has called a “new phenomenon” of global growth.
Putin
made the statement on Wednesday on day one of the Future Technologies
Forum in Moscow, an annual discussion event devoted to technological
development in Russia.
Bioeconomy is the “new reality,”
according to Putin, which encompasses advanced solutions in genetics,
biotechnologies, and biomimetics to create materials that replicate the
processes of living systems.
“Russia is ready to implement joint projects in bioeconomy with partners in BRICS countries,” Putin has said, describing the sector as key “from the point of view of the quality of global growth.”
Founded in 2006, BRICS is a trade and development bloc of nations
that together account for more than a quarter of the global economy and
nearly half of the world’s population. It currently includes ten
members: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia,
South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.
BRICS members have
maintained economic cooperation with Russia despite Western sanctions,
establishing mechanisms such as settlements in national currencies to
facilitate bilateral trade.
Putin noted that biotechnologies are
advancing at an unprecedented pace and could help tackle the challenges
posed by climate change, as well as food shortages, and improve people’s
health.
While a fully functional “living heart” is still a long way off, scientists are making progress towards artificial human organs, he said.
The
president has ordered the Russian government to fast-track a national
bioeconomy strategy through 2050 and called for the creation of an
export support system for domestic biotech products in cooperation with
neighboring countries.
This year’s forum in Moscow from February 25-26 includes 1,700
participants from 37 countries. Previous meetings focused on quantum
technologies, neurobiotechnology, and new materials.