🔍De-dollarization: over half of countries worldwide embark on boycott of greenback

More than half of the countries across the world have declared a boycott of the US dollar, an analysis conducted by Sputnik showed. In 2024, 14 more nations embarked on de-dollarization, according to the analysis.

💬 Who are supporters and opponents of the dollar?

There are 94 states that did not introduce any restrictive measures against the use of the greenback, 46 countries that switched to making transactions in national currencies, and 53 countries that openly opposed the US currency, the research shows.

As for the countries opposing the dollar, these mainly include former members of the socialist bloc, BRICS members, and their allies, plus the Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce, which launched its own system of settlements in rubles.

💸 Why will US add to end of the greenback’s era?

This year may see further developments related to de-dollarization, independent industry expert Leonid Khazanov told Sputnik.

"The US itself will contribute to promoting the rejection of the dollar due to the peculiarities of its policy. While declaring support for democracy wherever possible, Washington is in reality trying to impose its will on the world, trying to make all countries dependent on itself. This, as history shows, cannot continue forever," the expert pointed out.

🌏 BRICS on path to de-dollarization

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said late last year that the de-dollarization of the country’s foreign trade is underway, with about 90% of all mutual payments with China and about 50% with India being made in national currencies.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, for his part, praised BRICS members’ efforts to fulfill de-dollarization “through the use of mutual clearing schemes, a long-tested method that needs to be further developed and given a multilateral nature."

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China and Cuba join forces for renewable energy

Authorities in China and Cuba have entered into an agreement to implement a renewable energy project. This initiative includes the installation of seven photovoltaic parks with a capacity of 5 megawatts each, strategically located across six Cuban provinces.

The official document was signed by Chinese Ambassador in Havana, Hua Xin, and First Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment of Cuba, Carlos Luis Jorge. The Cuban deputy minister expressed appreciation for China’s continuous support in strengthening the country’s social and economic development.

"I hope this project using Chinese technology will help Cuba ensure energy security and switch to renewable energy," Hua Xin said.

Key components for the construction of these solar plants are expected to be delivered to the island via sea routes within the next seven months.

Cuban energy sector representatives forecast that these photovoltaic parks will yield significant benefits, saving up to 18,000 tonnes of fuel annually. This translates into financial savings of approximately US$7 million, further bolstering energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives in Cuba.

This initiative is made possible partly due to Cuba's new partnership status with BRICS, which officially began on 1 January. As a partner country, Cuba began to implement new projects within the bloc.

#NEWS #Cuba #China #BRICS

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Indonesia joins BRICS

Brazil's government announced that Indonesia is now a full member of BRICS. The move marks a significant step in strengthening cooperation among emerging countries and advancing the interests of the Global South.

Indonesia, the world's fourth-most populous nation, had previously expressed interest in joining the bloc to amplify its voice on global platforms and foster stronger ties among developing nations.

Brazil, set to assume the bloc's chairship in 2025, confirmed that all existing member states approved Indonesia's entry by consensus.

#NEWS #Indonesia #BRICS

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The BRICS Expert Council—Russia sincerely congratulates you on one of the brightest and most joyful holiday — Christmas! 🤍

This holiday reminds us of the values of love, kindness, mutual support and spiritual unity. May the light of the Star of Bethlehem illuminate your life path, bringing inspiration, harmony and new opportunities both in your professional and personal life.

May peace, prosperity and warmth come to every home, and there will always be room in your heart for hope and faith for the best.

Merry Christmas (if you celebrate it according to the Orthodox calendar)!

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What will change with Indonesia entering BRICS?

Indonesia officially joined BRICS on Monday, bringing Southeast Asia's largest economy and its most populous nation into the bloc. BRICS, originally founded in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, now boasts an expanded membership, having included South Africa, and more recently, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates in 2024.

BRICS’ growing membership reflects its push to position itself as an alternative to the G7—an alliance led by the United States.

"We have reiterated several times that BRICS is an important platform for Indonesia to strengthen South-South cooperation and ensure that the voices and aspirations of Global South countries are well-represented in global decision-making processes," Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Rolliansyah Soemirat stated.

He further emphasised Jakarta's commitment to contributing to BRICS agendas concerning economic resilience, technological collaboration, and public health.

Subianto’s decisive move

Former Indonesian President Joko Widodo refrained from joining BRICS in 2023, citing the need to carefully weigh the pros and cons without rushing the decision. However, new President Prabowo Subianto, elected in 2024, has taken a more definitive stance, steering the country into the bloc.

Jakarta's move reflects deeper global trends rather than just a government shift. Amid Western-led global order challenges many Global South nations are aligning more closely with Beijing and Moscow despite potential tensions with Washington. Over 30 countries, including nations such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam, have reportedly shown interest or applied for #BRICS membership.

Driven by China’s global rise

The expansion of BRICS is largely tied to China's emergence as a dominant economic and political power. Advocating for a "multipolar" global order, Beijing pushes for an international landscape free from exclusive U.S. dominance. This vision also encompasses reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar, with BRICS nations actively discussing creating alternative financial mechanisms.

For China and Russia, BRICS symbolises a shift toward this multipolar world—something reflected in Russia hosting the 2024 BRICS summit under President Vladimir Putin. For Moscow, this demonstrated its sustained global alliances despite enduring Western sanctions.

Indonesia as a balancing force

"Indonesia does not intend to break away from the West either slowly or immediately," said M. Habib Abiyan Dzakwan, a researcher at the department of international relations at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Indonesia.

Dzakwan believes that if Indonesia can maintain its non-aligned stance while influencing BRICS' agenda with an inclusive approach that doesn’t exclude the West, its membership may not significantly impact its relations with Western nations.

Teuku Rezasyah, an international relations expert and lecturer at Padjadjaran University in West Java, echoed similar thoughts, suggesting that Indonesia could serve as a "balancer" within BRICS while preserving its relationships with the US and the European Union.

"As a middle power, being a member of BRICS gives Indonesia leverage in the global order," he said.

This is DW opinion piece, and these are the personal opinions of the writer. They do not reflect the views of the BRICS Expert Council–Russia

#OPINION #Indonesia #China #Russia

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Russia's 2025 BRICS Educational Expedition

In 2025, Russia will launch an educational expedition to several BRICS countries, including Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt, as shared by Diana Kovela, a BRICS Youth Council member.

"The idea to organise an educational expedition came in 2024, when Russia held chairship of BRICS. We have already visited India on this mission <…>. In 2025, we plan to visit several more countries, namely Iran, the UAE, and Egypt," shared Kovela, who leads the initiative.

Kovela noted that the need for such educational missions to #BRICS nations was outlined in the Kazan Declaration, approved during the bloc’s latest summit.

"The main goal of the mission is to raise the youth’s awareness of BRICS values and principles," she explained.

#NEWS #Russia #Iran #UAE #Egypt

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Ambassador: Ethiopia’s economic programme holds potential

Indian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Anil Kumar Rai, stated that Ethiopia's comprehensive economic programme has the potential to position the country as one of Africa's leading players.

"We feel that the way the reforms are going, Ethiopia can establish itself as a strong player in Africa because it has a large population, large landmass and has a very robust basic infrastructure," the ambassador stated.

Rai highlighted the historically friendly relations between India and Ethiopia, which continue to grow stronger, particularly within the #BRICS framework. This platform, he noted, offers abundant opportunities for cooperation across multiple sectors.

According to Rai, BRICS is driving economic transformation in areas such as industry, mining, agriculture, textiles, and services by incorporating modern digital technologies.

He stressed that the BRICS platform provides immense opportunities for collaboration, including in essential economic areas like agriculture and food security, while also offering innovative financial instruments beneficial for developing nations.

The ambassador also pointed out that India and Ethiopia recently signed a memorandum of understanding focused on digital public infrastructure.

Rai underscored the importance of human capital development, particularly the role of education in equipping Ethiopia with skilled manpower for its growing economy.

#NEWS #Ethiopia

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Ethiopia and South Africa strengthen bilateral ties through BRICS framework

Ethiopia and South Africa are actively working to enhance their bilateral relations within the BRICS framework. Today, the Ethiopia-South Africa Business Council held an online meeting to share insights and best practices.

The meeting emphasised Ethiopia's focus on fostering cooperation with other BRICS nations since its membership, particularly through engagements with peer institutions. Key discussions centred on the collaboration between private enterprises and social development organisations within BRICS.

To leverage the BRICS platform's benefits, Ethiopia has set up its own BRICS Business Council and is exchanging experiences with similar bodies in other member countries. This initiative supports the broader goal of strengthening trade and economic ties between Ethiopia and South Africa.

According to the Ethiopian Embassy in Pretoria, today’s meeting marks a significant step in enhancing economic cooperation, with plans for future sessions at the management board level.

#NEWS #Ethiopia #SouthAfrica

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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❕

Meet Thanh Mai Nguyen from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, a student at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam majoring in International Law and Communication. In her first-ever trip abroad to Moscow, Thanh Mai shares her impressions of the city and the deep historical connection between Vietnam and Russia. She talks about how she discovered the BRICS International School programme, her interest in global peace promotion, and Vietnam’s growing enthusiasm for joining BRICS.

Thanh Mai dreams of one day working at the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia to strengthen international cooperation. Watch how young leaders like Thanh Mai are shaping the future of BRICS!

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.

#BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilVIDEO #BRICSschool #InterSchool

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🌍🌍🌍 Pepe Escobar: BRICS should brace for new sanctions, false flags and color revolutions by the Empire of Chaos in 2025

💬 “In the absence of long-term strategic vision, and amidst the progressive imperial expulsion from Eurasia, all that’s left for the Hegemon is to unleash chaos from West Asia to Europe and parts of Latin America,” Sputnik contributor Pepe Escobar writes in his latest column.

It all amounts to “a concerted attempt to Divide and Rule BRICS and thwart their collective drive affirming sovereignty and the primacy of national interests,” according to the observer.

It's no coincidence, Escobar says, that US thinktanks’ newest buzzword - the notion of key global “swing states,” are all BRICS members or partners (Brazil, India, South Africa, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, respectively).

💬 “The code for ‘swing states’ was unmistakable: all these are targets for destabilization – as in if you do not abide by the ‘rules-based international order’, you’re going down,” the observer argues.

💬 “Imagine China-India-Russia-Iran-Indonesia-South Africa-Brazil-Egypt-Saudi Arabia as the transcontinental pearls of the emerging multi-nodal world. Huge populations; massive natural resources and industrial might; myriad development possibilities,” Escobar writes.

“The ruling elites of the Empire of Chaos have nothing to offer as a counterpoint to this growing geopolitical powerhouse – complete with its own development bank (granted, that needs a lot of work); full commitment to develop and test alternative payment systems; and a sprawling transcontinental trade alliance bent on progressively sidestepping the US dollar.”

As a new multipolar order continues to emerge, the coming year promises more strife, particularly in Latin America, the observer predicts.

“The Empire of Chaos under Trump 2.0 may go Full Monroe Doctrine – on top of the delirium of annexing Canada, Greenland, the Panama Canal and any further unsuspecting latitudes. Overall, it will be a rough ride for selected nodes of the ‘backyard’ – apart from devastated neo-colony Argentina.”

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Indonesia to benefit from BRICS membership

On January 6, Indonesia became the newest full member of BRICS and is the only ASEAN nation in the 10-member group.

Josua Pardede, chief economist at Permata Bank, highlighted that Indonesia's BRICS membership will facilitate access to loans from the Shanghai-based New Development Bank for infrastructure projects, including the development of Nusantara, the country's planned new capital in East Kalimantan.

Muhammad Habib Abiyan Dzakwan, a researcher at Jakarta’s CSIS, emphasised that a key factor behind Indonesia's membership was China's inclusive approach.

"China does not force members to choose between BRICS institutions or the Bretton Woods system,” he noted, referencing organisations like the IMF.

China's Foreign Ministry welcomed Indonesia warmly, with spokesperson Guo Jiakun stressing China's commitment to inclusiveness, multipolarity, and global economic benefits.

Malaysia and Thailand have already applied to join #BRICS as partner states. According to Dzakwan, Indonesia's experience could serve as a model for other #ASEAN countries to assess the advantages and challenges of BRICS membership and maintain strong relations within the bloc.

Mustafa from Solaris Strategies pointed out that ASEAN's engagement with BRICS reflects shifting global influence toward Asia. He added that BRICS gives ASEAN members a strategic platform to deepen ties with major economies like China and India, bringing potential economic benefits.

#NEWS #Indonesia #China #Thailand #NDB

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