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Your BRICS Expert Council—Russia team

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China unveils new centre to strengthen BRICS cooperation

The China centre for cooperation on special economic zones in BRICS countries was officially inaugurated on Friday in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province in China.

This Centre is the first platform mechanism personally announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the XVI BRICS summit in Kazan last October.

The Centre will help strengthen cooperation between the special economic zones of the #BRICS member countries, align standards and introduce institutional innovations. In the long term, it can become an important platform for expanding economic cooperation between China and other BRICS countries.

#NEWS #China #Summit #trade

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Silveira emphasises BRICS energy transition and cooperation

The Brazilian Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, underscored the need for balancing energy security with sustainable development during the 2nd BRICS Energy Meeting, hosted under Brazil's chairship in Brasília on March 20.

Silveira highlighted Brazil's commitment to a fair and inclusive energy transition, aiming to tackle energy poverty by broadening access to energy services. The chairship also seeks to advance a leadership climate agenda, focusing on climate finance declarations.

"The bloc’s expansion highlights our relevance and calls on us to strengthen the Global South. It requires improving energy cooperation governance to make it more inclusive and sustainable. We need to coordinate our actions and ensure that the integration of new members strengthens our capabilities and expands our opportunities," Silveira stated.

He stressed the importance of sharing best practices and developing joint projects to solidify BRICS' role in global governance. Financing the energy transition and advancing discussions on strategic topics are seen as central challenges.

"Resources will be needed to enable investments in infrastructure, renewable energies, and mineral research to supply the essential chains for the transition. Without adequate financing, the transformation of our energy systems will be slower and more unequal. Together, we can find the best solutions to the challenge of ensuring greater stability and energy security," he said.

Silveira concluded by highlighting BRICS' potential to lead in sustainable fuels development, emphasising the need to accelerate decarbonisation in sectors like transportation and industry, as millions in #BRICS countries still lack adequate energy access.

#NEWS #Brazil #security #sustainability

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Indonesia to join NDB

Indonesia will join New Development Bank. President Prabowo Subianto announced this following a meeting with NDB President Dilma Rousseff at the Presidential Palace.

"The Indonesian government has decided to join the New Development Bank and follow the procedures and requirements that have been given to us," stated Prabowo. He hoped that Indonesia's membership in the NDB could encourage the acceleration of national development transformation.

Rousseff welcomed Indonesia's decision, describing the country as an important partner in the region and beyond. She noted that Indonesia's development priorities align with the NDB's focus areas, particularly in infrastructure, connectivity, and energy transition.

The NDB is a multilateral development bank established in 2014 by the #BRICS countries. The bank is headquartered in Shanghai with regional centres in Africa. The bank has an initial capital of $100 billion, funded by the founding countries.

#NEWS #Indonesia #NDB

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BRICS countries add clean energy to their energy mix

In 2020, BRICS published a Roadmap for the BRICS Energy Cooperation up to 2025, which included joint analysis of the energy sector, exchange of best practices, and promoting joint projects.

Member countries have already shown progress in adding clean energy to their energy mix.
China has demonstrated the most consistent long-term progress, increasing its renewable and nuclear energy shares by nearly 6% from 2009 to 2021. However, the fastest growth within #BRICS was seen in the UAE, where the use of renewable energy increased by about 4% between 2017 and 2021. Brazil leads with 15% renewable energy, with even higher figures when biofuels are considered. India and South Africa have nearly doubled their clean energy shares, and Ethiopia has almost tripled its share during the analysed period.

For more insights on resource abundance, food security, and sustainable development within BRICS, explore the exclusive report "BRICS Cooperation Progress According to BTTC Indicator System" prepared by the BRICS Expert Council—Russia’s experts and published on the official website.

#ANALYTICS #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertReport #energysector #climate #sustainability

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Lavrov: Russia to keep in mind "trust, but verify" principle during dialogue with US

Russia will keep in mind the "trust, but verify" principle when engaging in dialogue with the United States, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov shared in an interview.

"Trust but verify — a great principle by Reagan. Donald Trump recalled it. We will keep it in mind," Lavrov stated.

According to Lavrov, Washington's use of the dollar as a tool to penalise certain countries has triggered an irreversible shift towards national currencies and alternative payment systems.

"Alternative payment systems, such as #BRICS, are now being discussed. This process is unstoppable," the minister added.

#NEWS #US #finance #diplomacy

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Nigeria to purchase agriculture equipment from Russia

Certain Nigerian states take an interest in purchasing agriculture equipment from Russia, with Niger State having submitted a request worth over $110 mln, Russia’s Trade Representative in Nigeria Maxim Petrov stated.

"Thanks to the strategy for agriculture development a number of Nigeria’s states take a serious interest in purchasing domestic agriculture machinery and equipment. In particular, Niger State has made a request worth over $110 mln," he said.

Russia’s Trade Representative mentioned earlier that Moscow planned to assist Nigeria, which had entered #BRICS as a partner country on 18 January, in developing agriculture, oil and gas sector and its mineral resources. BRICS provided the country with a unique possibility to develop trade, investment and social-economic cooperation with participants of the bloc.

#NEWS #Nigeria #agriculture #trade

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Brazil's Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation has unveiled preliminary results for its latest public call to establish National Institutes of Science and Technology.

A total of 121 projects have been approved, with an estimated funding allocation of approximately US$253 million at the current exchange rate.

The programme is designed to foster networks of research centres, uniting top scientific institutions and laboratories to tackle Brazil's most pressing national and global challenges. The results of the projects will be useful for the #BRICS countries, which are actively developing sustainability, renewable energy, and climate change.

With the addition of these new projects, the total number of operational National Institutes of Science and Technology in the country will rise to 221. This is reported by the official website of Brazil's Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation.

The new institutes will address 20 strategic priority areas, including artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, biodiversity sustainability, renewable energy transitions, and climate change.

#NEWS #Brazil #sustainability

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Russian prime minister held over 100 international negotiations in 2024

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin reported that in 2024 he had held over a hundred international negotiations, as part of developing economic cooperation with friendly countries.

"In response to external challenges, we have strengthened cooperation in the Union State, the Eurasian Economic Union, and the Commonwealth of Independent States. As well as through the #SCO and #BRICS. Last year alone, I personally held over a hundred international negotiations with our leading partners. Many of them were during working trips to friendly countries," Mishustin said when presenting his report to the State Duma, the lower house of parliament.

He highlighted that Russia has significantly reoriented trade to the markets of the Global South — to new centers of growth of the global economy.

#NEWS #diplomacy #trade

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About 1/5 of global cereal exports are supplied by BRICS countries

BRICS countries account for about one-fifth of global cereal exports, a key component of food security according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). As major suppliers of cereals, BRICS nations collectively produce over 1.1 billion tonnes annually, with the largest producers in the group showing steady positive growth, as can be seen on the graph.

The Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership places a strong emphasis on food security, including increasing agricultural output. The BRICS Agricultural Cooperation Action Plan also highlights the need to strengthen the food supply capacity of the group. Additionally, Russia’s proposal to create a BRICS Grain Exchange, introduced during its Chairship, aims to provide a stable and accessible platform for trading essential grains like wheat, corn, soybeans, and rice. This initiative will help boost food security, stabilise prices, and reduce dependency on Western-dominated markets.

For more insights on food self-sufficiency levels of #BRICS countries and their contribution to global food security, explore the exclusive report "BRICS Cooperation Progress According to BTTC Indicator System" prepared by the BRICS Expert Council—Russia’s experts and published on the official website.

#ANALYTICS #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertReport #economics #trade #sustainability

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🧡 "Africa cannot be on the periphery": How Putin brings Russia and Africa closer together

25 years ago, on March 26, 2000, Vladimir Putin won his first presidential election.

The Russian president has always been an advocate of close cooperation with African countries on the world stage, protecting the interests of the continent's nations and respecting their sovereignty.

👉 Here are some highlights from the video:

00:24 Vladimir Putin is the first Russian leader to reach the Cape of Good Hope.
00:37 Morocco. Preserving the USSR's legacy in relations with Africa
00:56 South Africa. Strengthening ties within BRICS
01:18 ‘Africa cannot be somewhere on the periphery’
01:32 ‘Russia and Africa are bound by traditionally friendly ties’
01:52 ‘Africa’s main resource is its talented people’
02:10 A new page in Russia-Africa relations
02:26 Russia and Africa challenge neo-colonial ideology
03:13 ‘Russia remembers and cherishes the memory of Africa’s outstanding sons.’
03:53 ‘We have never been involved in the exploitation of African peoples’
04:14 Russia is not trying to ‘squeeze’ anybody out of Africa
04:37 ‘Africa is close to us in spirit’

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🔸 Sputnik Africa | X 🔸

Financial infrastructure important for BRICS trade, economies

The buildup of the financial infrastructure is important for development of trade and economies of BRICS countries, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov stated.

"We are considering our various financial innovations on the #BRICS floor, including the cross-border payment system that can be based, further to bilateral settlements, on national currencies with consideration of digital technologies and digital financial assets," Siluanov said.

The minister added that the buildup of the financial infrastructure is crucial for development of trade and economies of our countries.

#NEWS #trade #finance

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Moscow to discuss future of strategic partnership between Russia and India

A press conference on Russian-Indian cooperation in economics, science, technology, humanitarian ties, food security, and agriculture will be held in Moscow on 27 March.

Among the participants of the conference are the Foreign Ministers of Russia and India, Sergey Lavrov and Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, as well as the ambassadors of the two countries – Vinay Kumar (India) and Denis Alipov (Russia).

The conference will discuss Russia's and India's foreign policy priorities, as well as the role of #BRICS in shaping a new financial and economic architecture. Discussions on the balance of trade in rupees and roubles, energy and investment cooperation are planned.

Special attention will be paid to the strategy of technological sovereignty and interaction in high-tech spheres. Educational exchange and key food market trends will also be raised.

The international conference "Russia and India: Towards a New Agenda of Bilateral Relations" is organised by the Russian International Affairs Council with the support of the Indian Embassy in Russia. The programme includes three key sessions and additional discussions.

#NEWS #RussiaIndia #economics #science #technology

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🎞New video: exclusive interview from the 🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊 International School

We're thrilled to share our brand-new video which has been uploaded to the YouTube channel❕

Victoria Maria Fernanda Ortiz-Martinez, a student at HSE University in Moscow, is passionate about bridging cultures and fostering collaboration.

In this interview, Victoria shares her unique perspective on Moscow's allure, appreciating the city's grand scale, beautiful parks, and diverse gastronomy. As an educator, she is particularly enthusiastic about the possibilities for teacher and university exchanges within #BRICS and beyond. Though Paraguay isn't currently a part of BRICS, Victoria envisions a future with increased collaboration and shared learning opportunities.

Tune in to hear Victoria's insights on international collaboration and the potential for educational partnerships.

Watch the video 🎞

On 🕊➖🕊 October 🕊🕊🕊🕊, the BRICS International School opened its doors to young leaders and researchers. The School is a unique event that aims to strengthen cooperation, and it became an influential platform for young BRICSologists to exchange bright & innovative ideas and their experiences.

@hse_official

#BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilVIDEO #BRICSSchool #InterSchool #Paraguay

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16.1% of all leading researchers worldwide hail from 5 BRICS states

The BRICS countries have significant global potential and influence in scientific research and innovation. More than 41,000 scientists from the BRICS 10 rank among the top 2% of the world’s most cited scholars (based on the Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientist Rankings 2024) (Elsevier, 2024), which accounts for 18.6% of all leading researchers worldwide, while 16.1% of all leading researchers worldwide hail from the BRICS 5 (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). 

The distribution of #BRICS scientists (by number) who rank among the world’s top 2% is as follows: 
⚪China: 27,165 
⚪India: 5,351 
⚪Iran: 2,327 
⚪Saudi Arabia: 1,684 
⚪Brazil: 1,340 
⚪Egypt: 1,001 
⚪Russia: 969 
⚪South Africa: 902
⚪UAE: 528 
⚪Ethiopia: 149 

For more statistical data on intellectual property and technology transfer within BRICS, explore the exclusive report "BRICS Cooperation Progress According to BTTC Indicator System" prepared by the BRICS Expert Council—Russia’s experts and published on the official website. 

#ANALYTICS #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertReport #science #innovation 

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❗️ Vladimir Putin: Russia is ready to cooperate with all countries that want to eliminate the causes of the Ukrainian conflict for a peaceful settlement.

Moscow is ready to collaborate with Europe on Ukraine, but the EU behaves inconsistently and constantly tries to "lead Russia by the nose," he added.

"The curators from Europe have convinced Kiev to continue the war to the last Ukrainian in order to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia," the Russian president said.

Russia will no longer make mistakes based on excessive trust in its so-called partners, Putin stressed.

The Russian President mentioned the BRICS countries and the DPRK among the partners Russia is ready to work with for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine.

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BRICS countries to publish best practices to protect cultural community

The Brazilian Ministry of Culture held the first meeting of this year's BRICS Working Group on Culture. It was attended by representatives of China, India, Egypt, Russia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, South Africa, and the UAE, according to the official website of the Brazilian Government.

The main topic of the meeting was the issue of restitution of cultural property:

"We have made significant progress in restoring cultural property and are in favour of its return to the countries of origin. It is not only about preserving art, but also about protecting priceless testimonies of history," Rania Abdellatif, Director General of International Relations, Egyptian Ministry of Culture Key Achievements and Cultural Diplomacy said.

Plans for 2025 were also presented at the meeting. Among them are the BRICS Film Festival, the publication of a compilation of best practices of the #BRICS countries to protect the rights of cultural workers in the digital space, and the launch of a platform for the creative professions industry.

The in-person meeting of the working group will be held in Brasilia on 22 and 23 May, and the meeting of BRICS Culture Ministers will be held on 26 May.

#NEWS #Brazil #culture

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Brazilian ambassador: BRICS is not "anti-West" but strives for geopolitical balance

One of the founders of BRICS and current special advisor to the chairship of Brasil for International Affairs, Celso Amorim reiterates the role of the bloc as a multilateral alternative. Amorim took part in the 10th BRICS Policy Planning Dialogue held in Brasília this week.

The tenth edition of the BRICS Policy Planning Dialogue took place over two days of intense discussions at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasília. The priority discussions included best practices in foreign policy planning, and an analysis of the most recent activities of the Policy Planning Offices of each country in the group. Another point of discussion focused on a "horizon scanning" exercise in which participants assessed global geopolitics and trends in the international system. The #BRICS proposal to contribute to a global governance reform was one of the main topics that were discussed, including the analysis of a more just and democratic world order — a topic that has been discussed by the group since last year.

A key priority of the Dialogue is the exchange of assessments on regional and international developments, with special attention to Global South issues — often neglected in traditional forums. The work also sought to identify areas of convergence in the policies of BRICS members and to foster a space for reflection on future avenues of cooperation, promoting closer relations within the bloc.

Regarding the perception that the group is an alliance against the USA, Celso Amorim was emphatic: "We are not 'anti'. We are pro-development, pro-multilateralism and pro-social justice". As an example, the ambassador mentioned the "Friends of Peace Initiative" — a group organised by Brasil and China that brings together mostly countries from the Global South. The ambassador acknowledged that expansion requires more diplomatic work, but stressed: "That is what diplomacy is for".

#NEWS #Brazil #USA #diplomacy

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