Today we commemorate a pivotal moment in the history of Russia and Thailand — on July 3, 1897, formal diplomatic ties between our two nations were established. This historic occasion laid the foundation for 127 years of growing partnership, marked by mutual understanding and fruitful cooperation.

As a valued BRICS partner country, Thailand holds special significance in Russia's international relations. We see great potential to further expand our bilateral ties and economic cooperation.

On this meaningful anniversary, we extend our warmest wishes for Thailand's continued prosperity and development. May the enduring friendship between our nations grow even stronger, bringing forth new opportunities for joint initiatives that benefit both our peoples.

#RussiaThailand

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We continue to share quotes about BRICS from our new column. Sergey Ryabkov highlights how the group's informal status serves as a unique advantage.

#BRICSquotes

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Russian experts discuss Brazil's initiatives during meetings of BRICS Civil Council Working Groups

Throughout May 2025, five working groups convened under the BRICS Civil Council umbrella: Health, Culture, Economy and Finance, Ecology and Adaptation to Climate Change, and Education. These sessions, held both in person and online, focused on reviewing draft recommendations prepared by Brazil's civil society for the leaders of the BRICS nations. Experts representing Russia analysed their Brazilian counterparts' proposals, crafting their own adjustments and additions to be submitted for further approval.
These working groups serve as platforms for expert and public dialogue on key areas of cooperation among the BRICS nations. In 2025, Russia is participating in seven such groups, with representatives from specialised organisations, civil activists, and experts contributing to all discussions.

All proposals articulated during the meetings will be consolidated and forwarded to Brazil for integration into the BRICS Civil Forum’s final recommendations.

📎 Read the full article on the official website of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia

#CivilBRICS

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10th NDB Annual Meeting started in Brazil

The Tenth Annual Meeting of the New Development Bank (NDB) Board of Governors takes place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 4 and 5, 2025.

The founding agreement for the New Development Bank was signed in 2014 during the sixth BRICS Summit. The agreement came into force in 2015, establishing NDB to mobilise resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in #BRICS and other emerging markets and developing countries.

Hundreds of participants, including high-level government officials, ministers, members of NDB’s Boards, business leaders, development partners, experts and scholars, media and civil society representatives will join the event.

This year’s Annual Meeting will provide an opportunity to celebrate NDB’s achievements in the past decade and reflect on the coming years to transform NDB as a leading provider of solutions for infrastructure and sustainable development in the Global South while fostering cross-learning and becoming a knowledge platform for its member countries and beyond.

#NEWS #NDB

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Brazil is currently hosting the Special Session of the Civil BRICS Council in line with the official calendar of events for Brazil's BRICS Chairship in 2025.

Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia, Co-Chair of the Russian Chapter of Civil BRICS Council, Russia's W20 Sherpa, and Vice Rector at HSE University, is hosting the session.

📎 Link to the conference

#CivilBRICS

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Dilma Rousseff on large and important projects being financed by the New Development Bank

#BRICSquotes

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Brazil wants to create guarantee mechanisms to increase investments in BRICS

Brazil suggests creating guarantee mechanisms to scale up investments in BRICS countries, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov told reporters after the meeting of the Board of Governors of the BRICS New Development Bank.

"The Brazilian side introduced new points into the list of issues we are discussing. Our counterparts suggest creating guarantee mechanisms for #BRICS member-countries. This is also an important area of our joint work. We support this mechanism and believe we should go forward for all mechanisms that will work to the benefit of our countries," the minister said.

The consensus will be found for an agreement on an insurance instrument in conclusion of the meeting of BRICS finance ministers tomorrow, Siluanov noted.

"Other mechanisms proposed by the Russian Federation, which we have just talked about, are in the course of consideration," he added.

#NEWS #NDB

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🇨🇳 Shen Yi, Director of Center for BRICS Studies at Fudan University shared with us his statement regarding the upcoming BRICS summit:

"The 17th BRICS Summit, scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in July 2025, comes at a critical juncture. As the number of formal BRICS members and partner countries continues to increase, the mechanism’s significance in reshaping the international system is growing steadily. The summit is convened at a time when global governance is undergoing profound adjustments in both its driving forces and development models. As the rotating chair for this year, Brazil has proposed “A New Path for the Global South” as the summit’s central theme, reflecting the confidence, capacity, and willingness of BRICS countries to undertake higher-level institutional construction in global governance, financial reform, and South-South cooperation. This agenda not only reflects the growing autonomy of Global South nations, represented by BRICS, but also highlights the skepticism, disparagement, and subtle discomfort expressed by Western media and think tanks—revealing the pressures and challenges BRICS will face as multipolarity continues to gain momentum."

#EXPERT #OPINION #BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #summit

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🇲🇨 Indonesian W20 Sherpa, Vice President of the Indonesian Women’s Congress, Member of the Civil BRICS Council Indonesian Chapter Hadriani Uli Silalah marked in conversation the importance of the upcoming BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro for BRICS Civil track:

"As a representative from Indonesia and a member of the BRICS Civil Society Committee, I view the upcoming BRICS Summit in Brazil as a critical opportunity to strengthen inclusive and people-centered cooperation among member states. This year’s Summit holds particular significance, as we collectively face global challenges that demand solidarity, innovation, and a renewed commitment to sustainable development.

Civil society plays a vital role in ensuring that the voices of communities, especially women, youth, and marginalized groups, are meaningfully included in the BRICS agenda. I anticipate that the Summit will place greater emphasis on social justice, equitable development, and stronger South-South collaboration—not only at the governmental level but also among civil society actors.

Furthermore, I hope this Summit will advance concrete mechanisms for civil society engagement within BRICS decision-making, fostering transparency, mutual understanding, and long-term resilience. With Brazil hosting this year, there is strong momentum to further integrate social, environmental, and economic priorities in shaping a fairer global future."

#EXPERT #OPINION #BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #summit

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🗣️ Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia, Co-Chair of the Russian Chapter of Civil BRICS Council, Russia's W20 Sherpa, and Vice Rector at HSE University, from the margins of the Special Session of the Civil BRICS Council:

"Civil BRICS is not just a movement. It's not just a club. It's a family. It's the first time we can say that BRICS is already a different grouping in the global arena. But Civil BRICS is yet another addition to it because it is definitely demonstrating how close our people are and how much we can do together for the good of our people."

📍 Special Session of the Civil BRICS Council take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 4-5 June within the official calendar of events for Brazil's BRICS Chairship in 2025.

#EXPERT #OPINION #BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #CivilBRICS

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🇮🇳 Mannat Jaspal, Director & Fellow (Climate and Energy) at ORF Middle East marked the importance of Brazil's Chairships for global climate agenda:

"Brazil’s dual presidency of the COP30 and BRICS presents an opportune moment to foreground the just and equitable energy transitions priorities of Global South countries within the global climate agenda. The BRICS must push for a global financial architecture aligned with the climate and development needs of emerging economies, where the marginal cost of abatement remains the lowest. Key measures to look out for would be - creation of a BRICS-aligned green taxonomy, enhanced cooperation on local currency financing for large scale green infrastructure projects, regional trade mechanisms which help offset some of the currency risk and build resilient intra-BRICS supply chains, and the development of a climate aligned financial risk rating system correcting for embedded biases in existing global frameworks. The BRICS grouping should develop a shared and strong position on climate finance, aligned with the "Baku-Belém Road Map" of mobilizing USD 1.3 trillion by 2035."

#EXPERT #OPINION #BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #summit

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The Generation BRICS channel has surpassed 1,000 subscribers ❕

We thank everyone for reading us 🤍

We appreciate your attention and strive to be as useful, objective and interesting as possible.

We also thank the Telegram channels of our colleagues in the international field 🤍 who mention us, including when holding joint events on the #BRICS line 🤍 and the media representatives with whom we work daily 🌐

Thank you all for being with us! It's only going to get more interesting!

Respectfully,
Team of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia

#BRICSExpertCouncil

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🇪🇬 Osama El-Gohary, the Egyptian Prime Minister Assistant and Chairman of the Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) on the upcoming BRICS Summit:

"The 2025 BRICS Summit comes at a pivotal moment, as the world navigates intensifying geopolitical tensions, growing economic fragmentation, and increasing pressure on multilateral institutions. In this context, the Summit presents a timely opportunity to reaffirm the role of BRICS as a platform for dialogue, coordination, and practical cooperation among its member states.

Under Brazil’s presidency, the Summit is expected to advance key priorities including global health, development finance, climate action, artificial intelligence governance, and institutional reform. These areas address pressing international challenges and reflect the growing responsibility of BRICS in shaping a more balanced, inclusive, and sustainable global order.

There is growing anticipation that the Summit will generate meaningful momentum for expanded cooperation across strategic sectors. These include efforts to strengthen investment and innovation, deepen integration along strategic value chains, and broaden stakeholder engagement through the inclusion of youth, civil society, and cultural actors in the BRICS process.

These directions are expected to translate into tangible outcomes that enhance policy coordination, strengthen institutional frameworks, and create new opportunities for inclusive and resilient development across the Global South. This could involve mechanisms that promote capacity building, facilitate technology exchange, and strengthen development-focused partnerships among member states."

#EXPERT #OPINION #BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #summit

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🇷🇺 Dmitry Suslov, Deputy Director of the Centre for Comprehensive European and International Studies at HSE University, Expert of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia about his expectations from the upcoming BRICS Summit in Brazil.

➖ From the Summit - a clear position of BRICS countries on key aspects of global governance and world economic development.

➖ From the BRICS leaders - a serious and unequivocal condemnation of those measures to strengthen protectionist policies that we see today in the world, primarily from the United States.

➖ On global governance reform - a statement in support of global governance reform aimed at strengthening the position of the World Majority.

➖ On financial architecture reform - moving forward to create new instruments of financial settlements between the BRICS countries and in general for the World Majority, independent of the Western system, independent of the dollar.

➖ On climate agenda - statements in support of action on climate change and in support of facilitating adaptation of developing countries, World Majority, to consequences of climate change.

➖ On situation in the Middle East - criticism of the current policy of the United States and Israel, criticism of aggression against Iran - a BRICS member, a call to solve the Iranian problem by political and diplomatic means, as well as a serious position on the situation in Gaza, where actual genocide takes place.

➖ On Ukraine - a short statement in the Summit declaration supporting a peaceful settlement, but eliminating the root causes of the conflict and taking into account the real security concerns of all countries.

➖ On BRICS development - the first actual results from the BRICS partner countries.

📎 Read article

#EXPERT #OPINION #BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #summit

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🇿🇦 Prof.Sarah Mosoetsa, CEO of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), Chair of the South African Think Tank (SABTT), Member of the BRICS Think Tank Council (BTTC) comment ahead of the BRICS Leaders’ Summit:

"As the BRICS Leaders’ Summit approaches, South Africa looks ahead with anticipation and clarity. We welcome continued dialogue on how to consolidate BRICS as a platform that is principled, coherent, and fit for purpose, especially in light of its expansion. BRICS’ future does not reside in declarations alone but in the partnerships we forge, the dialogues we sustain, and the collective commitments we honour.

The way forward lies in deepened cooperation on peace, development, and social progress, supported by meaningful and inclusive institutional frameworks. Expansion must be matched by strategic focus, mutual accountability, and shared impact.

We also support the institutionalisation of BRICS through the establishment of a permanent secretariat. This will ensure continuity, coherence, and accountability across all our tracks of cooperation, strengthen our collective voice globally and ensure our work is more structured, strategic, and sustained.

South Africa remains committed to contributing constructively to this evolving platform. We commend Brazil for its thoughtful leadership and preparations for the Summit, which extend across all tracks, and we look forward to outcomes that reflect the spirit of solidarity, courage, and collective responsibility that defines BRICS at its best.

We wish Brazil and all our BRICS leadership every success."

#EXPERT #OPINION #BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #summit

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🇷🇺 Ahead of the BRICS Summit, Centre for African Strategy in BRICS, Institute of Africa of the Russian Academy of Sciences reviewed statements by African officials in the media, highlighting key topics that concern African countries within BRICS and its partners.

Daria Zelenova, Head of the Centre for African Strategy in BRICS, Institute of Africa, Russian Academy of Sciences, Expert of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia shared with us what does Africa expect from BRICS Summit in Brazil.

🇳🇬 So, for Nigeria, which officially entered the association in the status of a partner country in 2025, the Rio Summit will be an attempt to reach new deeper levels of cooperation with the association, including with the aim of exploring the prospect of full membership in the future. Other key expectations of Nigeria include: strengthening positions in global markets, especially in trade and energy, attracting investment, working on cybersecurity projects.

🇿🇦 For South Africa, chairs the G20 this year, the upcoming BRICS Summit in Rio is a major event in its foreign policy schedule, since, based on the principle of multilateralism, South Africa traditionally views BRICS as a platform for promoting new conditions for a fair multipolar world.

🇪🇬 As a new BRICS member, Egypt seeks to use unification primarily to diversify its ties with the West. Through BRICS, Egypt expects to ensure domestic economic growth and strengthen its role as the leading power of the African continent in global governance institutions, primarily in the UN Security Council. Egypt's key expectations from the Rio Summit are related to the transition to settlements in national currencies.

🇪🇹 Ethiopia is approaching the BRICS Summit with the intention of strengthening economic cooperation. Ethiopia is expected to actively participate in discussions on tourism development and agricultural modernization. Thus, the government's priorities include the opening of new tourist destinations.

🌍 Thus, the upcoming BRICS summit in Brazil is perceived by the African members of the association, as well as BRICS partners, as an opportunity to strengthen Africa's position in the changing world order. For these states, the issues of reforming global governance institutions, expanding access to financial resources of the New Development Bank and promoting trade on the principles of equality and mutual benefit are of particular importance.

📎 Read article

#summit #Africa #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #BRICSExpertCouncil #OPINION #EXPERT

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🇷🇺 Irina Kuklina, Executive director at the International Centre for Innovation in Science, Technology and Education on the scientific agenda at the upcoming BRICS Summit:

"I really hope that the Summit will raise the issue of the architecture of countries' participation in events and the further development of a multipolar world. First of all, of course, the issues of partner countries will be touched upon. Because if with the participation of countries that are BRICS members more or less the architecture in different directions has been determined, then the partner countries, this year began to show noticeable interest in a number of areas. And, of course, I expect that according to the results of the summit, it will be clear how this interaction will be built further.

If we are talking directly about scientific and technological, innovative topics, then attention will definitely be paid to the innovative component, because it is at the junction of several tracks, several directions at once, and more and more efforts are being made to ensure innovative interaction between countries.

And, of course, the question arises of the formation of new criteria for assessing effectiveness. And it happens in different areas. If we are talking about science, then one of the topics actively discussed and very significant for all our countries is how the effectiveness of research is assessed. Today we use the Western rating system, it is the most common. But each country asks the question "How else to evaluate, according to the standards, criteria and requirements that are used by our countries? Can we build a different metric? " And this interaction has already begun this year and will only gain momentum. It is premature to talk about some kind of universal BRICS system, but at least attention will definitely be paid to discussing how a single BRICS metric can be built.

Well, social issues do not go anywhere. I expect that the topic that was raised during the Russian chairmanship on the innovative and scientific and technological direction - the creation of a working group on social and humanitarian research, this year will also be actively voiced and will be reflected in the declaration."

@inafr_ran
#EXPERT #OPINION #BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #summit

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🇪🇹 Jafar Bedru, Executive Director of the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA), Member of the BRICS Think Tank Council (BTTC) comment ahead of the BRICS Leaders’ Summit:

"Amid today’s complex global crises, BRICS has the potential to be a strong platform for amplifying the voice of developing nations and promoting a fairer global governance system. Strengthening BRICS is vital for enhancing South–South cooperation and addressing shared challenges through collective action.

As the BRICS 2025 Leaders’ Summit approaches, member states are expected to take tangible steps to achieve these goals. A key priority will be empowering institutions like the New Development Bank (NDB) to expand development financing, particularly in areas such as sustainable infrastructure, climate resilience, and digital transformation.

Another central focus of the BRICS agenda will be the deepening of economic, trade, and financial ties among its member states. This strategic direction reflects a collective aspiration to reduce dependency on traditional global financial systems and institutions, thereby reinforcing the bloc’s financial sovereignty and expanding its influence in the global economic order. Strengthening intra-BRICS cooperation in areas such as cross-border payments, local currency use, investment facilitation, and supply chain integration will be instrumental in fostering greater economic resilience and mutual prosperity. Institutional development will also be crucial, with a shared commitment to adopt governance mechanisms that ensure efficiency, accountability, and inclusivity as BRICS expands its membership.

As a new member, Ethiopia is ready to contribute constructively to this evolving BRICS framework and help realize the group’s long-term strategic vision for inclusive and sustainable development."

#EXPERT #OPINION #BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #summit

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📖 Word of the Week: BRICS Summit

In the realm of politics and international diplomacy, the term "summit" has long held significant weight. Its origins trace back to the mid-20th century, a time when political communication began to take on a more structured form. A "summit" refers to a high-level meeting, typically involving heads of state or government, aimed at addressing critical issues and forging collaborative decisions.

⭐ Origin

Beyond the world of politics, "summit" means "peak." This imagery evokes the idea of reaching the highest point—in this case, the pinnacle of negotiations. These meetings serve as a platform for leaders to exchange views and align their positions on globally significant matters.

🌍 BRICS Summit in World Politics

One of the most influential events in international affairs is the annual BRICS Summit, where leaders of member states gather to shape the group’s future. Hosted on a rotating basis, each summit concludes with a declaration. The summit agenda is shaped by the chairing country, reflecting its strategic interests.

📊 Chronology of the Summits

➖The First BRICS summit took place in June 2009 in Yekaterinburg, where the first joint documents were adopted—the Yekaterinburg Declaration and the BRICS Action Plan.

➖As time progressed, these summits expanded to include outreach meetings, inviting partner countries and representatives from international organisations and regional integration associations. Notably, in 2015, BRICS leaders engaged with members of the Eurasian Economic Union and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

➖In 2017, China introduced an innovative format known as “BRICS Plus,” which serves as a platform for dialogue with other major developing nations. In the same year, the summit welcomed Egypt, Guinea, Tajikistan, Mexico, and Thailand.

➖The 2018 Summit, hosted by South Africa, further broadened its scope by inviting partners from Namibia, Angola, Togo, Rwanda, Uganda, Senegal, and Gabon. It also included chairing countries from significant regional associations such as Argentina (G20), Turkey (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation), and Jamaica (Caribbean Community).

➖Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, BRICS successfully conducted summits in 2020 and 2021 via teleconference.

➖In 2024, the summit embraced both Outreach and BRICS Plus formats, welcoming leaders from the CIS countries and delegations from developing nations across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America—totalling 41 delegations. Notably, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Dilma Rousseff, President of the New Development Bank, were also in attendance.

❕Beyond the summit itself, the host country organises numerous events throughout its chairship year—over 30 different formats—including meetings for foreign ministers, central bankers, and scholars. In 2024 alone, around 250 such events were held on diverse topics at various levels. Stay tuned for deeper insights in our next "Word of the Week" features.

📎 For more information, visit the official website of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia

#wordoftheweek #Summit

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