Russia-Iran diplomatic talks in Tehran address security threats

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko held discussions in Tehran with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi on the formation of Eurasian architecture and security threats posed by NATO and the European Union. The talks were part of inter-ministerial consultations between Russia and Iran held on March 16-17.

Grushko was also hosted by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

"There was a thorough exchange of views on global trends in world development, the formation of a polycentric world and Eurasian architecture. In this context, the sides touched upon the situation in Europe, including threats to stability and security emanating from #NATO and the European Union (#EU), the situation in the #OSCE, the activities of the Council of Europe. The inadmissibility of the use of illegal unilateral restrictive measures in interstate relations was emphasised. The sides compared their approaches to issues on the regional and international agenda," the ministry stated.

The statement highlighted their mutual interest in deepening the bilateral political dialogue and emphasised the importance of cooperation within the #SCO, #BRICS, and other formats. They also welcomed the upcoming implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between the EAEU and Iran.

It was agreed to maintain regular consultations moving forward.

#NEWS #Iran #RussiaIran #security

🕊🕊🕊

🌍🤍 AfCFTA and BRICS: Unlocking Africa’s trade potential

The BRICS bloc represents a significant share of global GDP and investment. Meanwhile, Africa offers vast untapped potential in trade, infrastructure, and critical minerals. In an interview with Sputnik Africa, Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), explained how these two entities can benefit each other.

"The value proposition that we make as a continent of Africa to the BRICS is to look at the AfCFTA as an investment market, as an opportunity for investment-led trade," he said.

Mene also addressed the challenges of currency exchange in intra-African trade, pointing to the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System as a solution:

"If the cost of trade is caused to increase by buying a third currency, then the AfCFTA has to intervene, which we have done through the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System," he explained.

With these initiatives, AfCFTA aims to drive economic integration and reduce trade barriers across the continent.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa | X 🔸

Paraguay shows interest in BRICS and its events under the Brazilian сhairship

Russian Ambassador to Asuncion Alexey Pisarev discussed trade relations and political cooperation between Russia and Paraguay. In April 2024, the minister of economy and finance in Paraguay, Carlos Fernández Valdovinos said that the country did not see the possibility of joining BRICS due to the lack of diplomatic relations with China.

However, according to Pisarev, there is currently a strong interest in #BRICS. This is relevant given the Brazilian chairship of the bloc. According to the Paraguayan government's position, as expressed by the minister of foreign affairs of Paraguay, Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, if the country receives an invitation, it is interested in participating in events organised by the Brazilian chairship.

Paraguay's accession to partner status or full membership in BRICS is not yet under consideration.

#NEWS #Paraguay #diplomacy

🕊🕊🕊

🤍🌍 BRICS-AfCFTA integration to boost investment, job creation in Africa, Ugandan finance state minister says

Amos Lugoloobi sees BRICS-AfCFTA cooperation as a game-changer for Africa’s economy, expanding markets and attracting foreign investment.

“When you integrate, you broaden the market. Therefore, it means that you are going to attract more and more investment, more inward and foreign direct investment getting into your territory, being attracted by the market akin to what we saw in China,” he told Sputnik Africa.

With Ethiopia, Egypt, and South Africa joining BRICS and Uganda securing partner status, Lugoloobi believes the partnership will bring in capital, create jobs, and boost growth.

"They will attract capital from non-member countries to come into the territory to produce and market within that region, and by doing so, they are creating jobs, and they are stimulating growth in that particular territory," he noted.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa | X 🔸

❗️It is unclear why G7 is 'great,' what great is about it? — Putin on the Group of Seven

"In 2024, the Eurozone's GDP growth was 0.9%. And the Big Seven... why is it big? It's not clear. What's big there? No matter where you look, you can't see anyone on the map. This seven has 1.9% growth. And BRICS has 4.9%. In Russia, it's 4.1% for two years in a row," Putin said.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

Strengthening сultural ties between Russia and South Africa

The Russian Embassy in South Africa hosted a significant event aimed at enhancing cultural connections between the two nations, as well as among #BRICS countries and the Global South. The programme included the opening of an international photo exhibition and the screening of a feature film inspired by Russian folk tales.

The event's highlight was the 10th Andrey Stenin International Press Photo Contest Exhibition, showcasing photographs by artists from Russia, South Africa, China, India, and other nations.

The cultural evening proceeded with the screening of "The Flying Ship" (2024), a feature film adaptation of the 1979 Soviet cartoon. Attendees, including government officials, academics, and media representatives, acclaimed the film's portrayal of the aesthetics found in Russian folk tales and folklore.

Concluding the event, Ambassador Ambarov presented awards to winners of an online quiz organised in celebration of Russian Diplomat’s Day.

#NEWS #SouthAfrica #RussiaSouthAfrica #culture

🕊🕊🕊

BRICS Expert Council—Russia shares BRICS experience with Iranian colleagues

From February 24 to 26, BRICS Expert Council—Russia held its first training seminar in Iran, titled "BRICS: Structure and Cooperation Platforms Workshop". The seminar focused on cooperation between BRICS countries and the key mechanisms of the organisation.

The seminar was organised at the request of the Iranian side by the BRICS Expert Council–Russia, based at HSE University, and the Centre for Progress and Development of Iran Presidency (CPDI), in partnership with Iran's largest technology park, Pardis Technology Park, as well as Shahid Beheshti University, the Iran National Innovation Fund (INIF), and the Iranian International Innovation District (IIID).

The Tehran seminar marked the beginning of a series of training events planned for 2025 as part of the BRICS Think Tanks Council’s activities. During the visit, experts shared their experiences with Iranian colleagues from private companies, ministries, and scientific organisations shaping Iran's technological agenda.

Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council–Russia and HSE Vice Rector, gave a lecture on the history of BRICS cooperation and the multipolar world.

"All decisions within the bloc—across any area of cooperation—are made based on consensus. This approach reflects respect for the positions and concerns of each participating party, ensuring equality among all members. This way, national representatives can be confident that the decisions they make truly align with the interests of all involved and that practical work on their implementation will be carried out," said Victoria Panova, highlighting one of #BRICS' fundamental principles.

At the end of the event, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the BRICS Expert Council–Russia and the Centre for Progress and Development of Iran Presidency.

Over two days, more than 100 participants attended the seminar, which covered key BRICS achievements in trade, economics, finance, science, technology, and innovation.

@hse_official

#NEWS #HSEUniversity #BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #Iran #RussiaIran

🕊🕊🕊

"How we all see BRICS, it's not something that wants to challenge the system. Often it is presented from outside that BRICS is a challenger. But the point is that BRICS, first of all, is part of the system. And it is not intended to challenge or to break it", noted Victoria Panova during her speech at the Raisina Dialogue 2025.

On March 19, Head of the BRICS Expert Council—Russia, Vice rector at HSE University, and Russian W20 Sherpa Victoria Panova took part in the session "The Decade Ahead: Ideas for #BRICS Presidencies" and Raisina ideas pod "From Cape Town to Capitol Hill", devoted to the South Africa's #G20 Chairship.

The Dialogue is structured as a multi-stakeholder, cross-sectoral discussion, involving heads of state, cabinet ministers and local government officials, who are joined by thought leaders from the private sector, media and academia. The conference is hosted by the Observer Research Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

#NEWS #BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #India #RaisinaDialogue

🕊🕊🕊

More than half of the BRICS population is projected to reside in cities by 2029

The steady population and economic growth within the BRICS countries has fuelled a demand for development and infrastructure investment. As of 2023, the BRICS population had grown by 4% compared to 2016, driven by rising affluence in Brazil, India, South Africa, and China. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projections, this trend is set to continue, with an additional 2% growth expected by 2029.

BRICS countries also recorded GDP growth of 4% in 2023, with an estimated growth rate of 2.9% by 2029. Simultaneously, urbanisation continues to rise, with more than half of the #BRICS population projected to reside in cities by 2029.

For more insights about the role of the NDB in financing infrastructure, sustainable development, consumption, and production, 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 #NDB #IMF #investment #finance #economics

🕊🕊🕊

BRICS Tourism Working Group focuses on sustainability and development

At the first online meeting of the BRICS Tourism Working Group, chaired by Brazil, representatives of the BRICS countries discussed key areas for the development of the tourism industry. Particular attention was given to enhancing the sector's sustainability and attracting digital nomads — professionals who work remotely while traveling globally. The Brazilian Ministry of Tourism reported this on their official website.

The discussion centered on initiatives to improve tourism infrastructure and service quality, alongside fostering public-private partnerships among #BRICS nations. Brazil presented a detailed report on the state of regional tourism within the bloc, offering strategic solutions to further stimulate industry growth.

"We must endeavour to further strengthen the tourism sector as a key instrument of cooperation. We are convinced that the BRICS working group will contribute to positive changes in our countries and around the world," Ana Carla Machado Lopes, Executive Secretary of the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism, said at the meeting.

The next meeting of the group is scheduled to take place in Brasilia on 9 May 2025. On 12 May, the BRICS tourism ministers will convene in the capital to review their progress and adopt a joint declaration to advance their shared goals.

#NEWS #Brazil #tourism #sustainability

🕊🕊🕊

🎞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❕

Hao Nan from China is a researcher and a passionate advocate for BRICS initiatives. During his undergraduate studies, he conceptualised the Model BRICS event, which has since grown into a national-level student programme. Inspired by the BRICS mission, Hao Nan joined the BRICS International School to explore new ideas and contribute to the group’s development.

In this interview, Hao Nan discusses the role of youth in shaping the future of BRICS. He highlights how young people can foster mutual understanding among member nations, despite their geographical, economic, cultural, and political differences. Hao Nan also identifies key challenges, such as geopolitical tensions and technical cooperation, pinpointing energy transition and innovation as vital areas for #BRICS collaboration.

Tune in to discover how Hao Nan envisions BRICS' future and why he thinks youth are crucial to its success!


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 #China

🕊🕊🕊

Putin: Most European countries lose sovereignty

Russian President Vladimir Putin, while addressing a congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, stated that the majority of European countries have lost their sovereignty, resulting in significant economic and security challenges.

"We can see that most European countries have lost their sovereignty and as a result, they are facing serious economic and security issues," he pointed out.

Putin highlighted that many of these countries are experiencing near-zero economic growth rates or even slipping into recession. In contrast, members of #BRICS have led global growth in recent years, establishing high benchmarks for economic development, the Russian president noted.

He pointed out that GDP in the euro area stood at about 0.9% in 2024, while the BRICS countries saw a growth rate of 4.9%

#NEWS #EU #economics

🕊🕊🕊

Brazil to invite Vietnam to BRICS summit

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva plans to invite Vietnam to participate in the July BRICS summit, Reuters reports.

According to the agency, Lula da Silva will visit Vietnam next week. The #BRICS Summit, which Brazil chairs in 2025, will be held in Rio de Janeiro from July 6-7.

#NEWS #Brazil #Vietnam #Summit

🕊🕊🕊