🇷🇺🇪🇹Russia and Ethiopia: A Partnership Built on Common Ground

Did you know that Russia and Ethiopia share a rich history of cooperation dating back over 125 years? From the Battle of Adwa in 1896 to Ethiopia joining BRICS in 2024, our nations have walked similar paths through history.

✍️In an exclusive interview “Legal Insight” magazine, Russia's Trade Representative in Ethiopia, Yaroslav Tarasyuk, highlights the deep connections between our countries:

🔸Both nations are multinational federations with Orthodox Christian heritage
🔸 We've shared experiences in empire building, socialism, and market economy transitions
🔸Russian expertise has contributed to Ethiopia's development through 43 major projects
🔸Current cooperation spans automotive, energy, chemical, food industries, and digital technologies

📈With Ethiopia now being the fifth largest economy in Africa and growing at 7-8% annually, Russian businesses are finding excellent opportunities in this dynamic market.

Russian companies are actively exploring Ethiopia's special economic zones and industrial parks, particularly in pharmaceuticals, where Ethiopia aims to become a regional production hub.

As Ethiopia continues its impressive economic growth as a new BRICS member, Russia stands ready as a trusted partner in its development journey.

📎Read in full

#RussiaEthiopiaRelations #BRICS #EconomicCooperation #TradePartnership

Indonesia is ready to use its BRICS membership status to expand export markets

Indonesian Deputy Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Eddy Soeparno emphasised that engaging in trade diplomacy can play an important role in obtaining tariff concessions for several of Indonesia's major exports.

In addition to strengthening trade diplomacy, he emphasised that the government needs to expand Indonesia's export markets:

"At the start of the administration, President Prabowo has acted quickly by joining and becoming a permanent member of #BRICS. Now, it is time to leverage our status as a permanent member of BRICS to expand export markets," he said.

Earlier, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met with BRICS NDB President Dilma Rousseff in Jakarta and announced the country's desire to join the New Development Bank (NDB).

#NEWS #Indonesia #NDB

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BRICS international event will gather civil society to discuss global economy

The dialogue "BRICS and the Global Economy: Challenges and Opportunities" will be the first international event organised under the BRICS Finance Pillar. It aims to engage councils, forums, and other civil society organisations from BRICS member countries. The online event will take place on April 16, with registration open to civil society representatives until April 10.

There will be two sessions discussing the integration of #BRICS economies into the global economy, the strengthening of trade and investment among BRICS member countries as drivers of economic growth, strategies to bolster Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDEs), and the priorities of the Finance Pillar during Brasil’s BRICS chairship.

Civil society organisations interested in participating can submit proposals for a three-minute intervention during the second session, "BRICS and Strengthening the Economies of the Global South." Ten proposals will be selected based on their relevance to the session's topics and discussions.

#NEWS #EVENTS #CivilBRICS #finance

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🇷🇺 Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council–Russia, Vice Rector at HSE University, and Russia’s Sherpa in Women’s Twenty (W20) gave a speech during the presentation of a new report, titled "The Evolution of the BRICS Value Platform" at the Valdai Discussion Club:

⚪BRICS does not have any ideological fervour. Unlike alternative blocs that require ideological underpinnings—often highlighting democracy and related political and economic systems—BRICS stands apart.

⚪From the outset, the #BRICS nations did not position themselves as an alternative to the Western world order.

⚪Over time, however, these countries have grown more assured in their belief that they should propose a new framework for global governance, one that would serve as a robust foundation for collaboration.

⚪The world should be sustainable, equitable, and secure for all. These are the guiding principles that propel us forward.

📎 Watch the presentation of the report titled "Evolution of the BRICS Value Platform"

📖 Read the report "Evolution of the BRICS Value Platform"

@valdai_club

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Annual bilateral trade flows of ICT goods between the BRICS 5 states have dramatically increased since 2010

Since 2010, annual bilateral trade flows of information and communication technology (ICT) goods within BRICS 5 (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) have increased dramatically, mainly thanks to China, which accounts for more than 97% of trade with other #BRICS nations, according to the aggregate indicator of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). This indicator encompasses bilateral exports, imports, re-exports, and re-imports of ICT goods, according to the definition of ICT goods adopted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (see Figure 9).

Within the group, China, India, and Russia have the highest volume of trade flows of ICT goods with other BRICS nations.

For more insights on digital and innovation-driven development within BRICS, 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 #science #innovation #trade

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🇷🇺 Pavel Knyazev, Russia’s Sous-Sherpa to BRICS and Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation @MFARussia gave a speech during the presentation of a new report, titled "The Evolution of the BRICS Value Platform" at the Valdai Discussion Club:

⚪The Russian Foreign Ministry places significant emphasis on grasping various aspects of collaboration within the BRICS framework.

⚪I don't think we should discuss the BRICS value platform. We refrain from labelling concepts like "mutual respect, mutual understanding, sovereign equality, solidarity, openness, inclusiveness, consensus, collaboration, and democracy" as values within BRICS. We reserve the term "values" for other contexts.

⚪Recently, we've witnessed a troubling trend where democracy is overshadowed by value wars. Certain people assert their values as universal, imposing them on others with a moralistic fervour.

⚪BRICS has never defined itself in opposition to others.

⚪This innovative group unites the BRICS nations around a shared aspiration: to forge a fair, multipolar, and multilateral international framework. This vision resonates with countries of the Global South and East.

⚪While the perspectives of BRICS members may occasionally differ and diverge, our declarations are always based on consensus.

⚪One of the guiding principles of BRICS is continuity and consistency in decision-making. Without this principle, we wouldn't be able to implement any agreements.

⚪Each chairship brings new dimensions to BRICS.

⚪BRICS isn't a rigid bloc and doesn't have the "whip" policy that characterises some alliances.

⚪The BRICS partnership principles were established back in 2011 at the Sanya Summit, and they continue to be reflected in our annual declarations.

⚪The language in our final declarations emerges from collective consensus rather than dominance of the chair country. No chairship can impose its wording.

⚪Coordination on international platforms, including the UN, has been a consistent theme in our recent declarations.

⚪The BRICS nations stand united against allowing a select group of states to impose their international agenda.

⚪The G20 is straying from its foundational values. Initially designed to unite key economic players in addressing pressing economic challenges based on consensus, dialogue, and mutual respect, it now faces attempts to politicise its vital work.

📎Watch the presentation of the report titled "Evolution of the BRICS Value Platform"

📖Read the report "Evolution of the BRICS Value Platform"

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Russia's ambassador: Brazilian side has actively taken up the work of the BRICS chairship

The BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting will take place on April 28-29 in Rio de Janeiro, and Russia is actively preparing for the event, Russian Ambassador to Brazil Alexey Labetsky said on Tuesday.

"We are actively preparing for the Foreign Ministers' Council meeting, which will be held on April 28-29 in Rio de Janeiro," he said. "Preparations for the April 30 meeting in Brasilia of high-level representatives in charge of security issues are also in our focus. Therefore, we can state without any hesitation that the #BRICS agenda under the Brazilian chairship is very busy."

The Ambassador also noted that the Brazilian side has actively taken up the work of the BRICS chairship:

"We see that they want to carry on with the active course that was established during the chairship of Russia and reflected in the Kazan Declaration, as well as with all of the projects that we are promoting," the ambassador said. "Brazil’s priorities in the expanded bloc are aligned with ours. They are about the health, artificial intelligence, climate and financial issues," he stressed. "The issue of further institutional development of the BRICS format itself has become important from the point of view of the task of working out the interaction in the expanded format."

#NEWS #Brazil #KazanDeclaration

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SCO Considers Market Integration with BRICS

Looking ahead, the markets of the SCO and BRICS may converge, the Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation reported to Izvestia.

"In this regard, the possibility of combining the SCO and BRICS markets is not excluded in the future, but this is a decision of the competent authorities of the respective countries. Currently, the SCO does not have on its agenda the issue of discussing common tariffs and other economic preferences for the countries of the two associations. Again, the decision rests with the leadership of our states," stated the SCO Secretariat.

Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council—Russia and Vice Rector at HSE University, proposed that initial cooperation between the two groups could focus on developing joint plans for information exchange and environmental collaboration.

"These can include adaptation and mitigation of the effects of climate change, the implementation of joint projects for the conservation of biological diversity, waste management and environmental protection, assistance in attracting investments and financing projects and programmes in the field of environmental protection, as well as introduction of new environmentally friendly technologies," said Victoria Panova.

In the field of green finance, both groups could develop mechanisms to provide tax incentives, stimulate the issuance of green bonds and measures to improve the credit rating of issuers. The SCO Business Council and Interbank Consortium could spearhead these efforts on behalf of #SCO, while #BRICS might contribute through green funds and information platforms dedicated to green financing for businesses and NGOs, Victoria summarised.

Currently, the SCO includes Belarus, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Iran. BRICS comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, UAE, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Indonesia as full members.

#NEWS #BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #economics #finance

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Could China’s strategic PIVOT to the Global South spell TROUBLE for US?

China could pull off a swift “recalibration” of its overseas trade in response to Donald Trump’s tariff war, veteran financial analyst Paul Goncharoff told Sputnik.

Why Washington should be worried?

🔸 China-BRICS trade is now worth over $1 trillion

🔸 China's trade with Russia reached a record high of $237 billion in 2024, Chinese customs data shows

🔸 China has been diversifying its export markets, with exports to the ASEAN group of nations surging by 12% last year

🔸 China’s Belt and Road Initiative was designed to secure multiple supply chains – many of those are now operational and never extended into the US

If China boosts its exports to non-US markets by 8.5% annually, it could offset its entire exposure to American export volume within just two years, Goncharoff explained.

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🤍 BRICS Youth Summit 2025: A Launchpad for Bold, Borderless Innovation

💭Young people are the most sober-minded people to preserve peace and stability in the world,💭Raymond Matlala told Sputnik Africa.

As the Executive Chairperson of the South African BRICS Youth Association, Matlala envisions the summit that’s taking place on April 10-11 as more than a gathering—it’s a catalyst for global impact led by young minds.

Here’s what’s in store, according to Matlala:

🟢Showcase & Connect: Young innovators will display their ideas and meet potential investors and partners across BRICS nations;

🟢Post-Summit Action: An alumni network is being created to ensure long-term collaboration beyond the summit;

🟢Learning from Leaders: Russia’s expertise in space tech and cybersecurity is a model for cross-border learning and exchange programs;

🟢Sovereign Innovation: Matlala urged youth to think big—“Can we develop a [global] payment system that is not reliant on MasterCard?”

🟢Peace Through Youth: Amid global tensions, the summit sees youth as a bridge for diplomacy, driven by tolerance and mutual respect.

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🔸 Sputnik Africa | X 🔸

BRICS members increasingly adopt national currencies for international trade

The shift away from the US dollar has accelerated as BRICS members increasingly adopt national currencies for international trade. According to the Bank of Russia, the share of national currencies in exports among “friendly” countries, primarily the BRICS nations, has grown from 16% in 2019 to 68% in 2023 and to 76% at the beginning of 2024, with Russian rouble and Chinese yuan being the top currencies in Russia’s trade with the other #BRICS nations.

The use of a single digital unit in serving the economic interests of the member countries, currently discussed by BRICS, will further contribute to the development of a flexible mechanism for currency interaction between economic entities and strengthen the group’s role in global finance.

For more insights on financial indicators and cooperation in the financial sector within BRICS, 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 #finance

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🇿🇦 Rasigan Maharajh, Chief Director at Tshwane University of Technology; Associate Research Fellow at Tellus Institute; Trustee at Canon Collins Trust; Elected Member at the Academy of Science of South Africa expressed his opinion on BRICS during the presentation of a new report, titled "The Evolution of the BRICS Value Platform" at the Valdai Discussion Club:

⚪The BRICS nations represent a substantial portion of the world’s population. The bloc is evolving into an independent pole of power and a magnet for the Global Majority.

⚪#BRICS stands as an alternative to other groups that have failed to deliver genuine representation.

⚪New values are emerging like inclusiveness and adherence to international law. These principles are vital for fostering multipolarity and resonate with the interests of the Global Majority.

⚪We must think about the future to prevent any single power from dominating or intimidating others. The world order needs to evolve.

📎Watch the presentation of the report titled "Evolution of the BRICS Value Platform"

📖Read the report "Evolution of the BRICS Value Platform"

@valdai_club

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Russia opens BRICS Industrial Competence Centre on basis of UNIDO

The headquarters of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in Vienna hosted the official opening of the BRICS Industrial Competence Centre initiated by Russia in 2020. This is reported on the website of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.

The opening ceremony was attended by UNIDO Director General Gerd Muller and Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia Aleksey Gruzdev. The meeting was also attended by diplomats and representatives of BRICS countries.

According to the report, the centre is to become a tool for systematisation and implementation of advanced technologies at industrial enterprises of the association's states. Among its key tasks will be the exchange of experience, staff training, development of technological cooperation between the #BRICS member states and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade stressed that the BRICS Industrial Competence Centre demonstrates the commitment of the BRICS countries to inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

#NEWS #UN #trade #technology

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