BRICS to continue de-dollarising trade, ignoring Trump's threats

BRICS countries are set to persist in de-dollarising their trade, disregarding threats from US President Donald Trump, according to a report by the portal UOL.

During the first meeting of the #BRICS chief negotiators in 2025, member countries affirmed their determination to ignore Trump's threats and continue efforts to create a system that enables the use of local currencies in trade among bloc members.

Brazil's representatives emphasised that the country currently exports more to BRICS partners than to the United States and Europe.

"Despite our significant contribution to the global economy, trade between BRICS members is still far below its potential," stated Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira.

#NEWS #Brazil #USA #finance #trade

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Russia-China alliance to develop edtech projects in the sphere of industry and education

The Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI) has signed a memorandum with Tang Chinese Education & Technology corporation to establish an alliance in industry and education.

"The Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI) and Tang Chinese Education & Technology corporation created an alliance in the sphere of industry and education, they signed a corresponding memorandum. The parties plan to develop joint standards for professional education and develop edtech projects (development and use of innovative digital solutions for education) within the framework of the Russian-Chinese alliance in the sphere of industry and education," the ASI report said.

Mikhail Makarov, Director of the International Cooperation Department of ASI's Technology Division, highlighted that ASI and Tang's projects intersect in many areas. He emphasised that collaboration in developing quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, and new materials could be particularly promising.

Li Jinsong, founder and president of Tang, pointed out that the main objective of this joint initiative is to enhance the quality of education and elevate the level of industrial development. He mentioned that technological sovereignty is a pressing issue in both countries, necessitating the exchange of experiences on this topic with the #BRICS countries.

#NEWS #RussiaChina #education #technology

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Vietnam and China collaborate to enhance higher education

Vietnam and China have partnered to explore new opportunities and tackle challenges in higher education. A major outcome of this collaboration is the proposal to establish a joint AI research center. This initiative aims to unite universities, businesses, and leading global partners to foster innovation and advance AI applications across various disciplines. Experts anticipate that the research centre will significantly contribute to technological advancements in AI.

To further solidify their partnership, Vietnam and China signed a student exchange agreement, building on a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) established in August 2024. This programme offers students the opportunity for tuition-free exchanges, full credit recognition, and extensive support services, including accommodation, healthcare, and language training. The initiative is designed to provide a vibrant and multicultural learning environment, promoting international collaboration and career development.

Looking ahead, the two countries plan to introduce executive management training courses specifically tailored for Vietnamese business leaders and government officials. In the future, cooperation in this field will be closer, as Vietnam is ready to join #BRICS as a partner state.

#NEWS #Vietnam #ChinaVietnam #AI #education

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UAE participates in first BRICS sherpa meeting of 2025

The United Arab Emirates took part in the first BRICS Sherpa meeting of 2025, held in Brasilia, Brazil's capital, following the country's assumption of the BRICS chairship for the year.

The UAE delegation was led by Khamis Al Shemaili, Secretary-General of the Council for Diplomatic and Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Assistant Sherpa of the UAE to the BRICS group.

Discussions during the meeting centred on the priorities outlined by the Brazilian chairship, including bolstering health sector collaboration, financing initiatives to combat climate change, and advancing trade and investment ties.

On the sidelines of the event, the UAE delegation engaged in a series of bilateral meetings with representatives from Egypt, Russia, Brazil, and Ethiopia. These discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and exploring areas of mutual interest.

The UAE's active involvement in #BRICS meetings reflects its unwavering commitment to fostering coordinated global action and multilateral cooperation, emphasising principles that promote peace, stability, and prosperity on a global scale.

#NEWS #UAE #diplomacy

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Myanmar Prime Minister visits Moscow to strengthen bilateral ties with Russia

On Monday, 3 March, Myanmar Prime Minister Min Aung Hlaing's plane arrived at Moscow. He was welcomed by a guard of honour and a Russian delegation led by Minister of Economic Development Maksim Reshetnikov. Also present were representatives from the Myanmar embassy in Moscow and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, the Russian President's special representative for the Middle East and Africa.

Min Aung Hlaing is set to meet with President Vladimir Putin. The leaders will discuss avenues for enhancing Russian-Myanmar cooperation along with addressing pressing international issues.

The visit will culminate in a joint statement and the signing of several intergovernmental and interdepartmental agreements. Additionally, a Russian-Myanmar business forum, bringing together government and business representatives from both nations, will take place in Moscow on 5 March.

Earlier, the Minister of Information of the Republic, Maung Maung, stated that Myanmar would like to participate in the #BRICS as an observer country.

#NEWS #Myanmar #RussiaMyanmar #diplomacy

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BRICS CCI WE сelebrates women changemakers at 5th Annual Women’s Summit 2025

The 5th BRICS CCI WE Annual Women’s Summit & Felicitations 2025 was held in India, dedicated to honoring the spirit of women-led development. This year’s theme, "Women Changemakers: Transforming the World, Shaping the Future", showcased the influential role of women in shaping a better tomorrow.

The summit was enriched by the participation of official representatives from various nations, including Venezuela, Ethiopia, Indonesia, the Russian Federation, Australia, the USA, the Republic of China, Belarus, the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, Israel, and the South African High Commission.

The event concluded with the Convocation Ceremony of the 2nd Edition of the #BRICS CCI WE Global Women Leadership Programme, a flagship initiative aimed at mentoring and empowering emerging women leaders across industries. This impactful programme was organised by BRICS CCI WE in collaboration with Nippon Paint India, further demonstrating the collective effort to elevate women’s leadership globally.

#NEWS #equality

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Voice of the Global South

The 2024 BRICS summit in Kazan highlighted why more nations, such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the UAE, have sought membership. These are major energy producers, while Egypt and Ethiopia are key African economies investing in infrastructure and trade networks. Collaboration, especially with China, has brought development milestones and offers a model for South-South cooperation. Yet, the bloc also reflects shared goals of reforming global governance to make it more balanced and inclusive.

🗣️ Misconceptions about BRICS

Western narratives often misrepresent #BRICS as anti-Western or as challenging the US dollar’s dominance. In reality, BRICS amplifies the Global South's voice, promotes trade, fosters institutional reform, and supports multipolarity. De-dollarization fears are misplaced, as BRICS members hold significant dollar reserves. The New Development Bank ($32 billion approved for 96 projects since 2016) complements—not replaces—institutions like the IMF. Speculation about a common BRICS currency is overstated, as such a move faces significant economic and political hurdles.

🚀 Towards fairer global governance

BRICS aims to reform, not weaken, the global order. It advocates equitable governance and addresses gaps ignored by Western nations. Increasing recognition of the Global South’s demands signals the pressing need for inclusive standards in finance, trade, and multilateral relations.

The article expresses the personal opinion of the author. It may not coincide with the position of the editorial board of the BRICS Expert Council–Russia.

#OPINION #NDB #politics

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HSE University hosts discussions on coordinating Russia's initiatives within the Women's Twenty

On February 24, the Durasov House, a part of HSE University’s Pokrovka Campus, became the setting for a meeting of the Russian Chapter of the Women Twenty (W20) Working Group. Focused on education, the digital divide, and artificial intelligence (AI), the event brought together prominent experts, including Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council–Russia and Vice Rector at HSE University, alongside Evgeniy Terentev, Oksana Sinyavskaya, Maya Mlyakova, Fuad Aleskerov, Olga Savinskaya, and Sergey Kosaretsky. Together, the participants explored strategies to advance Russia’s scientific, educational, and technological initiatives on the global stage.

Victoria Panova, Vice Rector at HSE University, Head of the BRICS Expert Council–Russia, and Sherpa of Russia in W20, opened the meeting highlighting the significance of Russia’s initiatives as part of cooperation with the G20 countries.

"Russia and HSE University in particular have multiple innovative projects in science and technology. Through various formats, we have the opportunity to promote our vision, initiatives, and standards through global international organisations,” she noted.

Dr Panova also underscored the importance of advancing language projects and fostering specialist exchanges in regional studies to deepen cross-border collaboration in national languages.

The February 24 meeting marked a significant milestone in aligning Russian initiatives within the Women’s Twenty (W20), highlighting Russia's pivotal role in shaping discussions under the South Africa's Presidency in the G20. Participants concluded the session by voicing a shared commitment to further collaboration, focusing on developing recommendations for AI-driven educational programmes, promoting gender equality in access to opportunities, and bridging the digital divide. Plans were also set in motion to actively engage with international partners, fostering the exchange of best practices and advancing Russian technologies on the global stage.

This meeting is a part of a broader tapestry of international cooperation projects. Recent events have included meeting of W20 Delegation Heads, meetings of W20 Working Group Co-Chairs reflecting on the group’s decade-long contributions, and regular sessions of the Think 20 (T20). These events are united by a common goal: to deepen collaboration and drive solutions for key global challenges.

Earlier this year, Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council – Russia, was appointed Co-Chair of two W20 working groups and invited by South African colleagues to join the Think 20 (T20) as the sole Russian representative. The T20, a key G20 engagement group, functions as a "bank of ideas," uniting leading think tanks and top-level experts to address policy issues central to the G20 agenda.

@hse_official

#NEWS #HSEUniversity #G20 #W20 #T20 #education

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BRICS and the rise of a multipolar world

In an article by China Daily, the author states that BRICS is essential for a future in which all nations, and not just those with the loudest voices or the greatest military might, have a seat at the table.

Despite claims like President Trump's assertion that BRICS is "dead," the bloc continues to assert itself as a major global force. With Indonesia officially joining and Malaysia becoming a partner in January 2025, #BRICS now represents over half the world's population and nearly 45% of global GDP. Brazil's launch of the BRICS 2025 vision underscores the group's forward trajectory.

At the Munich Security Conference in February, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi articulated a vision of multipolarity that is reflected in BRICS' operating principles. His emphasis on ensuring that "all countries, big or small, would be heard" and his advocacy for the centrality of the United Nations and international law reflect the core tenets of the BRICS diplomacy and international relations.

In stark contrast to the US preference for bilateralism, BRICS champions consensus-driven multilateralism, giving developing nations a stronger voice. Its structure ensures all member states, regardless of size, contribute to its agenda, bolstering trust and resisting external manipulation. As its expansion continues, including deeper ties with the Global South, BRICS reinforces its legitimacy as a stabilising force in an increasingly multipolar world.

The article expresses the personal opinion of the author. It may not coincide with the position of the editorial board of the BRICS Expert Council–Russia.

#OPINION #equality #diplomacy

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Jaishankar: BRICS success reflected in growing membership

The member countries of BRICS act correctly, which is seen in the fact that there are so many aspirants willing to join the group, India’s Foreign Minister Subramanyam Jaishankar stated during his visit to Britain.

"I think clearly they must be doing something right, if so many countries want to join BRICS and so many countries actually have joined BRICS," he said.

Jaishankar highlighted that #BRICS initially began with four member countries:

"South Africa joined, then it has become a double-digit membership. And in 2024, last year in Kazan, we also added dialogue partners, the concept of dialogue partners," he explained.

He further described BRICS as "a very diverse group."

"We are an exception to the normal rules on which groups are formed. Normally countries that approximate geographically to each other or have some particular shared history or some kind of ethnic or linguistic commonality, this is normally the basis to create a group. Now, BRICS defies all those assumptions. So it's not like the Commonwealth, it's not like the #NATO, it's not like the #G7. It's not like anything which had been conceptualised early," the minister underscored.

#NEWS #India #Summit

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Indonesia's BRICS accession underscored by Prabowo's self-interest

In his 2025 Annual Press Statement, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono justified President Prabowo Subianto's decision for Indonesia to join BRICS, highlighting it as a personal accomplishment and positioning Indonesia as an advocate for developing countries. This move aligns with Indonesia’s "independent and active" (bebas aktif) foreign policy and bolsters Prabowo’s ambition to lead the Global South.

Joining BRICS offers potential benefits by presenting an alternative to Western-centric groups and expanding export markets, given BRICS’ significant global GDP and population share. However, these benefits are currently more symbolic. Prabowo faces competition from established leaders within BRICS, such as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

China's dominance in #BRICS and its role as Indonesia's largest trading partner further complicate the potential economic gains for Indonesia. While Prabowo seeks international recognition and achievements in his early presidency, these aspirations may not align with a clear strategy to enhance Indonesia’s leadership in the Global South.

The article expresses the personal opinion of the author. It may not coincide with the position of the editorial board of the BRICS Expert Council–Russia.

#OPINION #Indonesia #economics

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Russia and Zimbabwe strengthen ties

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is engaging in negotiations with his Zimbabwean counterpart Amon Murwira in Moscow. The Republic's embassy in Moscow had earlier stated that Murwira arrived in Russia on a visit.

Moscow and Harare maintain an active bilateral political dialogue. In June 2024, Zimbabwean leader Emmerson Mnangagwa visited Russia and attended the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (#SPIEF) alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Zimbabwean president expressed his country's interest in joining #BRICS and establishing direct flights with Russia. He also mentioned Zimbabwe's eagerness to collaborate with Russia in the fertiliser sector. These topics are likely to be on the agenda during the foreign ministers' meeting.

#NEWS #Zimbabwe #RussiaZimbabwe #diplomacy

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Wang Yi: BRICS is transforming into a backbone of cooperation

The Global South should strengthen itself, unite, and pursue development, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated on Friday.

"The hallmark of our era is the prominent, growing strength of the Global South," Wang remarked during a press conference held alongside the ongoing session of China's national legislature.

With more than 40% of global GDP and contributing as much as 80% to global growth, the Global South has become a crucial force for sustaining world peace, driving global development, and advancing international governance, Wang emphasised.

He highlighted that Indonesia's full membership in BRICS at the start of the year, alongside the inclusion of nine partner countries, demonstrates how BRICS is transforming into a backbone of cooperation and an engine for growth within the Global South.

This year, China will host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (#SCO) summit, Brazil will host the #BRICS summit, and South Africa will host the #G20 summit.

"We should speak in one voice to the world, safeguard our common interests, and steadily increase our representation and voice in global governance," he said.

#NEWS #China #Summit

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India’s digital economy surges towards US$1 trillion

India’s digital economy has experienced a remarkable tenfold expansion, rapidly nearing the US$1 trillion milestone. This growth is further propelled by a booming IPO market, which accounted for over 30% of the world’s listings in 2024 alone.

In 2024, India represented 31% of global IPO volume, successfully raising US$3 billion in total fundraising. The country is now on course to achieve a market capitalisation of US$13 trillion by 2030, driven by robust investor interest and the rapid maturation of its dynamic startup ecosystem. Such developments also reflect #BRICS' collective efforts in fostering innovation and economic resilience among its member nations.

India’s startup ecosystem, boasting over 100 unicorns and a strong pipeline of "soonicorns," is at the forefront of this transformation. Transitioning from a hypergrowth phase, these startups are now prioritising profitability, premiumisation, and omnichannel strategies. The IPO sector’s vitality is highlighted by more than 330 listings in 2024, showcasing growing confidence among global and local investors alike.

Crucially, rural commerce is emerging as a cornerstone of India’s investment landscape, fuelled by better accessibility and increasing consumer aspirations in underserved regions. The B2B sector is also undergoing significant evolution, with technology-enabled supply chain innovations unlocking fresh global opportunities.

#NEWS #India #finance

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India and China accounted for more than half of Moscow’s exports to BRICS countries

Moscow enterprises primarily export aviation equipment, chemicals, and construction-related goods to China, while supplying technical instruments, mechanical engineering goods, and microelectronics products to India.

Between January and October 2024, India and China emerged as the chief trade partners for Moscow within BRICS, together accounting for over half of the city's non-natural resource and non-energy exports. This was reported by Maxim Liksutov, the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry.

Contracts with Chinese and Indian partners bolster the prospects for Moscow exporters to tap into additional Asian markets:

"The city is providing a system of support measures for export-oriented manufacturers when entering foreign markets. Special attention is paid to expanding the supply of Moscow-made industrial products to the #BRICS countries. Today, the capital’s largest trading partners in the association are China (which accounts for more than 35 percent of the capital’s non-natural resource and non-energy exports), and India, which receives more than 15 percent of the capital’s supplies. To support the development of trade turnover with these countries in 2025, programs for four international events have been approved," stated Maxim Liksutov.

Moscow's manufacturing firms deliver mainly aviation equipment, chemicals, and construction-related goods to China, alongside technical instruments and power engineering equipment. Furthermore, Moscow-made food products are gaining popularity in China, including meat products, chocolate and confectionery, groceries, wheat flour, oat flakes, and health foods.

#NEWS #China #India #technology #cooperation

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📹Throwback: Putin rips ICC, recalls how court ‘shut up’ after getting snapped at by US

The court holds a “low standing” in Russia’s eyes, given its lack of universality or independence, President Putin said at a meeting with BRICS journalists back in October 2024.

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