Russia to host first-ever International Geography Olympiad for BRICS school students

The Russian Geographical Society (RGS) will host the International Geography Olympiad for BRICS schoolchildren in Russia for the first time in the summer of 2026. The event is planned to include over 15 partner countries, announced Ilya Gurov, First Deputy Executive Director of the RGS.

"The Olympiad will take place in the summer of 2026. We are conducting it during this period because a field stage is needed," he explained.

Participating BRICS nations will include Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, and the UAE. Gurov added that invitations will also be extended to Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, Belarus, and Saudi Arabia.

According to the RGS representative, the Olympiad will consist of two stages: a field stage and an indoor stage. Tasks will highlight common features of the #BRICS countries as well as the unique geographical aspects of Russian regions. Participants will tackle problems related to the spatial distribution of forestry and rare metal industries, analyse urban development and transport networks, work with maps and geosystems, and take part in orientation exercises.

#NEWS #education

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The past year has witnessed a notable thaw in relations between Eurasia’s two largest powers—China and India.

The process symbolically began with Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi’s meeting at the BRICS Summit in Kazan in October 2024—their first in five years—and gathered further momentum when the Indian Prime Minister attended the SCO Summit in Tianjin in August 2025. That gathering occurred mere days after Washington imposed 50% tariffs on select Indian imports, a move many observers interpreted as an additional catalyst for rapprochement between New Delhi and Beijing.

However, the obstacles to genuine trust between India and China are deeply structural and cannot be dismantled overnight. Still, even a gradual build-up of confidence between the two Asian giants would carry profound implications for the broader international order, most notably by unlocking new possibilities for both #BRICS and the SCO, writes Valdai Club Programme Director Anton Bespalov.

📎 More information is available on the website

#NEWS #OPINION

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Russian Prime Minister: BRICS' contribution to global economy is growing, while G7's share is shrinking

The share of G7 countries in the global economy is declining, stated Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

"The weight of different countries in the world economy continues to shift. The contribution of the Global South and East—above all, the BRICS nations—is rising, while the G7's share is falling," he said during a strategic session on developing Russia’s foreign economic activity.

In this context, the government is adapting its economic support tools and stimulating the development of a supply side economy to achieve the national goals set by President Vladimir Putin.

#NEWS #economy

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Chinese Ambassador to Russia: BRICS demonstrates strong vitality

BRICS is demonstrating strong vitality and opening up new prospects for cooperation. This was stated by Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui.

"At the same time, the 'big BRICS family' is showing strong vitality; its membership has doubled and the horizons for cooperation have grown even wider," the diplomat noted.

#NEWS #China

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New Development Bank signs loan agreement for sustainable projects in Shanghai

The New Development Bank (NDB) signed a loan agreement with Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank (SHRCB) for the Greener Shanghai Project on Thursday, providing the equivalent of 100 million US dollars in five-year RMB funding to support the city's sustainable development projects.

The financing will bolster investments in clean energy, environmental protection, and digital infrastructure in Shanghai, representing practical and concrete action to translate sustainability objectives into implementable projects that deliver real economic and environmental benefits, said Roman Serov, Vice-President of NDB.

The cooperation reflects NDB's strong support for Shanghai's high-quality development and its continued efforts to build itself into an international financial centre, he added.

#NEWS #NDB #finance

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New Delhi will host the 3rd Russian-Indian Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club, titled "India and Russia in the Changing Global Order: Strategic Autonomy, Security, and Partnership in the 21st Century"

This is the Club’s third annual Russian-Indian conference. Since its inception, it has become a platform for in-depth intellectual exchange, allowing experts to discuss the development of bilateral relations between Russia and India, as well as the broader geopolitical situation.

Russian and Indian experts will discuss the practical outcomes of recent high level bilateral engagements—specifically Russian President Vladimir Putin’s December visit to New Delhi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2024 visit to Moscow. During these meetings, the leaders reaffirmed their special and privileged strategic partnership, adopted a strategic cooperation programme, and set a target of reaching $100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. They also agreed to advance an architecture of equal and indivisible regional security.

Key topics on the agenda include:
✔Overcoming Strategic Challenges: Approaches of India and Russia
✔A New Trajectory for India–Russia Relations: Outcomes of President Putin’s 2025 Visit

Russian participants invited to the conference include Ivan Danilin, Deputy Director for Scientific Work at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations under the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMEMO RAS); Alexey Kupriyanov, Head of the Centre of the Indo-Pacific Region at IMEMO RAS; Fyodor Lukyanov, Research Director of the Foundation for Development and Support at the Valdai Discussion Club; and others.

⏰ Date: February 4
📍 Venue: New Delhi

📎 Full event details are available here

#ANNOUNCEMENT #India

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US-EU Rift Creates Strategic Openings for BRICS, Political Analyst Says

The US move to threaten European countries with tariffs over opposition to Washington’s Greenland ambitions shows a major shift in global power and deep fractures within NATO, Professor Metji Makgoba of the University of Limpopo told Sputnik Africa.

Makgoba argued that Washington is no longer competing through ideas or diplomacy but through force.

“Militarism is now replacing democracy… it’s about militarism and the expansion of American imperialism,” he said.

He warned that the dispute over Greenland signals a broader contest over strategic resources and should serve as a wake-up call for BRICS and African countries.

“If America discovers that they have a demand or a shortage of a sitting mineral… he’s definitely going to take military action,” Makgoba said, adding that many countries have weakened their defenses while the US has expanded its military reach.

🇺🇳 Failures and inconsistencies within the UN and other global institutions have enabled this shift, according to Makgoba.

🤍 He concluded that the growing rift between the US and Europe creates an opening for BRICS and the African Union — but only if they strengthen unity, build capacity, and set their own global agenda.

👆🏽How can this Western hegemony be challenged in the Global South? Find out in the video.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa | X 🔸

In touch with BRICS: news digest

Your quick rundown of the most important BRICS updates

✔India's central bank proposes linking BRICS' digital currencies

✔Madagascar may join BRICS as partner state

✔Russia to host first-ever International Geography Olympiad for #BRICS school students

✔Russian Prime Minister: BRICS' contribution to global economy is growing, while G7's share is shrinking

✔Chinese Ambassador to Russia: BRICS demonstrates strong vitality

✔New Development Bank signs loan agreement for sustainable projects in Shanghai

#BRICSExpertCouncilDIGEST

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First BRICS literary prize awarded in Cairo

The first BRICS Literary Award was presented to Egyptian writer and novelist Salwa Bakr during a seminar held on the sidelines of the Cairo International Book Fair 2026.

The first winner of the BRICS Literary Award was announced in Khabarovsk on November 30 last year. Following a vote by the international jury, Egyptian author Salwa Bakr was selected as the laureate.

Speaking at the ceremony, Bakr expressed her joy and pride at becoming the first recipient of the award in its debut year. She noted that the BRICS Award is founded on a deep and distinct vision compared to many existing literary awards, as #BRICS represents, above all, a civilizational union that has shaped a global humanistic culture for decades.

The BRICS Literary Award is a cultural prize established in November 2024 by participants of the BRICS Traditional Values Forum in Moscow, with the aim of drawing international attention to the literature of the BRICS nations.

#NEWS #culture

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Dear colleagues and friends from India!

On behalf of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia, we extend our warmest congratulations on the occasion of India's Republic Day. Celebrated on January 26, this day symbolises the nation's unwavering commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and sovereignty—principles enshrined in its Constitution of 1950.

In this year of India's BRICS Chairship, we appreciate its role in strengthening multilateral cooperation, advancing sustainable development, and promoting inclusive economic growth.

We wish India every success in fulfilling its Chairship agenda and its people continued prosperity, stability, and well-being. We look forward to deepening our fruitful collaboration within BRICS, working together for common progress and a more just and equitable world order.

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Russian State Duma has called for the creation of a BRICS-wide Wikipedia equivalent

There should be alternatives to Wikipedia, including at the international level—for example, within the BRICS framework. This view was expressed by Andrey Svintsov, Deputy Chair of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Information Technology, and Communications.

"In many countries around the world, dissatisfaction with Wikipedia is growing. This is why it is necessary—at least within the #BRICS framework—to create alternative platforms where history can be presented truthfully," Svintsov stated.

According to the parliamentarian, Wikipedia’s administrators are “using their content moderation capabilities as a tool to pressure certain countries by distorting and falsifying history and spreading overtly fake, one-sided information.”

#NEWS

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🗣️ Joint BRICS Projects in Artificial Intelligence

Amid a global technological transformation, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a key driver of economic growth and competitiveness. According to a study by Yakov and Partners, the realised economic potential of generative AI across the BRICS nations could reach $600 billion by 2030.

Nearly 70% of this impact is expected to be concentrated in six key sectors: finance, retail, mechanical engineering, energy, electronics, and IT. However, the distribution of economic benefits among the 🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊 members is highly uneven: China accounts for over 86% of the total impact, India, Brazil, and Russia together contribute 12%, while the remaining countries represent less than 2%. 

The success of BRICS efforts in AI development will ultimately depend on its ability to overcome internal disparities, align regulatory frameworks, and build a genuinely inclusive AI ecosystem capable of competing on equal terms with Western platforms.

Read more in our new article by Roman Prokhorov, expert at the working group "Financial Cooperation and the International Monetary and Financial System" at BRICS Expert Council-Russia.

📎 More #BRICS analytics is available on the official website of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia.

#ANALYTICS #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #BRICSExpertCouncil

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Today commemorates the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Vietnam.

Over 76 years of shared history, relations between our two nations have passed through various stages and grown into a resilient strategic partnership founded on mutual respect, support, and trust. Vietnam remains a key partner for Russia in Southeast Asia, and its status as a #BRICS partner country opens further avenues for multilateral cooperation in the economic, scientific, and cultural spheres.

#RussiaVietnam

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In touch with BRICS: news digest

Your quick rundown of the most important BRICS updates

✔First BRICS literary prize awarded in Cairo

✔Russian State Duma has called for the creation of a BRICS-wide Wikipedia equivalent

✔Joint #BRICS Projects in Artificial Intelligence

#BRICSExpertCouncilDIGEST

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Zimbabwe steps up efforts to join BRICS

The government of Zimbabwe is intensifying engagement with BRICS member states to speed up the country's accession to the group. This was announced by Amon Murwira, Zimbabwe's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

"Zimbabwe is ready to integrate more deeply into the global community, and joining groups such as BRICS is very important for us in expanding our economic involvement and integrating Zimbabwe into the global economy. We have formally approached all BRICS member states and look forward to engaging with #BRICS within the categories permitted by the group. We have sent an official letter and are awaiting feedback from our colleagues," said Amon Murwira.

The minister noted that Emmerson Mnangagwa, the President of Zimbabwe, has personally tasked him with overseeing the process of cooperation with the BRICS countries.

#NEWS #Zimbabwe

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Russian Presidential Executive Office: The role of the Global South in the world economy continues to grow

Countries of the Global South are playing an increasingly significant role in the global economy, with trade in goods and services between them expanding considerably, stated Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff at the Russian Presidential Executive Office.

Speaking at the opening of the January Expert Dialogues, Oreshkin noted that by 2025, the share of G7 countries in the global economy had fallen to 28%, while the share of the BRICS nations had risen to nearly 40%.

He emphasised that economic integration among the Global South countries is strengthening significantly.

"The BRICS nations are starting to trade directly with one another, bypassing third parties," Oreshkin added.

He also observed that the BRICS countries are climbing noticeably in global rankings in terms of their contribution to technological development.

#NEWS

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Chairman of the Presidium at the Russian Council for Foreign and Defence Policy: Trump's disdain poses a historic challenge to BRICS

US President Donald Trump's antipathy toward the prospect of BRICS creating an alternative to Washington's financial dominance represents a historic challenge for the group's members. This view was expressed by Fyodor Lukyanov, Chairman of the Presidium at the Russian Council for Foreign and Defence Policy.

"BRICS is facing what I would call a truly historic challenge. Trump cannot stand any associations—as a matter of principle, for reasons that are entirely rational and logical. That same attitude applies to #BRICS, which he deeply dislikes and repeatedly mentions. And he is right to do so, because he sees the beginnings of a group—so far just the beginnings, it’s yet to take shape—that could, in theory, create an alternative to American financial hegemony."

According to Lukyanov, the American leader’s recognition that US hegemony in the financial sphere is the "cornerstone of American global power" makes him ready to "ruthlessly root out anyone who even hints" at building an alternative to Washington’s influence in this domain.

#OPINION #USA

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⚡BRICS International School: New Generation goes to India

On March 5–6, 2026, New Delhi will welcome participants of the BRICS International School: New Generation, a flagship international educational project for young leaders from BRICS countries.

The programme is organised by the BRICS Expert Council-Russia, HSE University, and the Russian House in India. The School will be held as part of India’s BRICS Chairship in 2026.

Who can participate?
Scientists, analysts, diplomats, representatives of ministries and agencies, think tank experts, entrepreneurs, journalists, and leaders of youth and civil society organisations, aged 18 to 35, are invited to join the BRICS International School: New Generation.

What can you expect?
The School programme will feature lectures and expert discussions on the role of BRICS in shaping a multipolar world, India’s strategic priorities as a presiding chair, sustainable development, innovation economy, geopolitics, and cultural exchange among the BRICS nations. Speakers will include representatives of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia, HSE University, Indian research centres, and international expert institutions.

Registration is now open!

Participation details and full terms are available on the School’s website

📆Date: March 5–6

📍Place: New Delhi

#ANNOUNCEMENT #BRICSNewGeneration #India #BRICSIndia

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Russian Deputy Foreign Minister discussed strategic security and BRICS cooperation in China

Sergey Ryabkov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, discussed arms control, strategic security issues, and Russia–China cooperation within BRICS during his visit to Beijing.

"Over two days, February 2–3, we held comprehensive talks in Beijing with Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu and Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Liu Bin. Two main topics were addressed: first, Russia–China cooperation within BRICS; second, arms control and strategic security," Ryabkov told reporters.

"BRICS has become a focal point for forces that support strengthening multipolarity, uphold international law and the sovereign equality of states, and seek forms of cooperation in a highly turbulent international environment—one that leaves no one indifferent, let alone at ease," Ryabkov stressed.

He added that "anxiety is probably the word that hangs in the air in many capitals, and #BRICS, as an alternative to unilateral, coercive approaches and pressure—as a way to safeguard national interests—provides, overall, a solid basis for moving forward."

#NEWS #RussiaChina #diplomacy

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🇷🇺🇮🇳🇨🇳 From a global governance perspective, the Russia–India–China (RIC) structural framework is less a vehicle for alignment than a tool for keeping channels open as multilateral institutions become harder to use for genuine problem-solving.

RIC is neither an alliance nor a treaty-based body; it is a deliberately light platform that helps three major powers exchange assessments when broader forums become increasingly polarised and procedural.

That lightness explains its durability through repeated geopolitical shocks, but it also defines its ceiling: RIC can facilitate dialogue and selective coordination, yet it cannot override structural divergences—most notably the China–India strategic rivalry and the asymmetric pressures Russia faces from the West.

The Russia–India–China (RIC) framework is neither obsolete nor transformative. Its value is limited but real: it keeps channels open and enables selective, low-cost coordination among three Eurasian powers in a fragmented order.

With realistic expectations, RIC can function as a pragmatic stabiliser; burdened with grand ambitions, it will likely disappoint and expose the fractures it cannot resolve, Nong Hong writes.

https://valdaiclub.com/a/highlights/ric-in-2026-what-it-can-and-cannot-do/

#IndianValdai

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