Russian language promotion strategy through the institutions of multilateral diplomacy

 The authors state the decline in the number of Russian speakers in the world in the post-Soviet period and show the significant potential of international organisations involving Russia, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (the SCO) in particular, in strengthening the position of the Russian language and culture abroad. The study emphasises that multilateral diplomatic institutions give Russia opportunity to shape a humanitarian agenda for sustainable cooperation and cultural integration. This demonstrates the relevance of the research aimed at revealing the potential of the SCO for promoting the Russian language and culture in the world. The authors use methods of observation, experience generalisation, forecasting scenarios for strengthening the position of the Russian language in the world, as well as methods of quantitative, systematic, chronological, and factual analysis. The research material includes normative acts, data from authoritative analytical agencies, and information resources of official organisations promoting the Russian language and culture abroad. The study summarises the regulatory framework for promoting the Russian language abroad and proposes that Russia’s language policy should include conceptual foundations for promoting the Russian language and culture through multilateral diplomatic institutions, primarily the SCO and BRICS+. It describes scientific, scientific-methodological, educational, and cultural activities in the SCO countries and identifies gaps in promoting the Russian language and culture abroad to be filled in the nearest future. The authors formulate recommendations for improving the existing system for developing and promoting the Russian language in the SCO countries and identify the potential for institutionalising the Russian language and spreading it around the world through international organisations.