In touch with BRICS: event digest

We have prepared a compilation of BRICS events for the past month that may be of interest to you.

Past events:

✔Conference "BRICS and Africa: Political, Economic, and Humanitarian Cooperation"

✔Knowledge-based world order: Victoria Panova speaks at the Primakov Readings Youth Session

✔Russia-Brazil Forum in Rio de Janeiro

✔International Science Week in Brazil

✔Special session of the Civil BRICS Council in Brazil

✔SCO & BRICS Сhess Superfinal

✔Book Presentation: "Africa 2025: Prospects and Challenges" at Inostranka

✔Discussion "Africa in BRICS: Goals and Prospects" at the Library for Foreign Literature

Planned events:

✔BRICS and SCO Young Leaders Award 2025

✔SCO & BRICS Сhess Superfinal

✔Arctic Laboratory of #BRICS Youth Projects

✔BRICS Lex Model

✔BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow

✔The International Municipal BRICS Forum

✔BRICS Legal Studies School 2025: Strengthening Legal Cooperation for a Multipolar World

✔V Young Scientists Congress

✔Registration is open for the BRICS International School: New Generation

✔BRICS International School: New Generation goes to Artek

✔BRICS Urban Future Forum to host participants from 35 countries

#BRICSExpertCouncilDIGEST

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Alexandra Morozkina, Deputy Dean for Research of the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs at HSE University, and Expert at the BRICS Expert Council-Russia, shares her insights on the BRICS Rio de Janeiro Declaration 2025:

"The economic section of the Rio de Janeiro Declaration underscores the continuity and consistency of the BRICS summits. This year, a pivotal focus remains on promoting transactions in national currencies, continuing the priorities set forth during the Russian Chairship. Paragraph 45 highlights the significant role of the New Development Bank (NDB) in this endeavour. Notably, from early 2024 to June 2025, the proportion of NDB loans issued in the member countries' national currencies rose from 20.3% to 24.2%. The bank has set a target to elevate this share to 30% by the close of 2026."

The expert also noted the work on establishment of a system for cross-border payments and BRICS Multilateral Guarantee mechanism.

"Paragraph 50 outlines the advancements made in establishing a system for cross-border payments. Building on last year's report "Improvement of the International Monetary and Financial System," the group has explored various aspects presented within it. Specifically, preferences regarding cross-border payments were gathered through consultations with Central Bank Governors and subsequently detailed in the Technical Report: BRICS Cross-Border Payments System, which is reflected in the final document.

Paragraph 47 highlights the 2024 Russian initiative aimed at creating a BRICS investment platform. The potential framework for this platform could also encompass the initiative for establishing BRICS Multilateral Guarantee mechanism (p. 48) as these guarantees are designed to attract private investment by mitigating project risks for private investors. National and Multilateral Development Banks frequently employ this strategy. For instance, as of the end of 2024, Russia's development bank, Vnesheconombank, had issued guarantees and sureties exceeding 1.6 trillion roubles. While the multilateral BRICS New Development Bank is positioned to formally offer guarantees for member countries' projects, this mechanism has yet to be utilised."

#EXPERT #OPINION #NDB #summit

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BRICS is not the biggest threat to the US dollar

Kirill Dmitriev, Chief Executive Officer of Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and special presidential envoy for economic cooperation with foreign countries, stated that the real threat to the US dollar does not come from the BRICS nations, but rather from those who wield sanctions as a weapon—like former President Joe Biden.

"The biggest threat to the US dollar is not BRICS but people like Biden who weaponise it with endless, ineffective sanctions," Dmitriev wrote.

Previously, US President Donald Trump claimed that #BRICS seeks to counter the United States and wants to dent the status of the dollar as the world's reserve currency.

#NEWS #USA #sanctions

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The Russian Federation and Sustainable Development: Overview of Achievements and Initiatives by Regions, Business, and Civil Society

On July 23, 2025, the United Nations Association of Russia hosted a significant event at the UN Headquarters in New York during the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. Titled "Promoting the Sustainable Development Goals in Russia: Best Practices, Progress Overview, and Voluntary Local Review of the Republic of Tatarstan", the session highlighted Russia's sustainability achievements.

At the heart of the session was the presentation of an analytical report titled “The Russian Federation and Sustainable Development: Overview of Achievements and Initiatives by Regions, Business, and Civil Society (2020–2025).”

This document is an overview of best practices from Russian regions, businesses, and NGOs, aiming to weave local experiences into both national and international narratives. Its value lies in a dual analytical approach: it not only highlights the contributions of individual regions to Russia's overarching efforts in achieving the SDGs, but also explores these initiatives on a global scale, showcasing Russia's active role in the international exchange of knowledge related to sustainable development.

📎 Read full-text report here.

#ANALYTICS #UN

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The first part of the comment by Igor Makarov, Head of School of World Economy and the Laboratory for Economics of Climate Change at HSE University, and an expert at the BRICS Expert Council-Russia, on the results of the BRICS summit.

"The battle against climate change has emerged as a top priority for cooperation within BRICS in 2023–2024. With Brazil as the chair country, the focus intensifies as we approach the UN Climate Change Conference, set to take place in Belém, Brazil, this November. Therefore, it is no surprise that climate issues have taken centre stage at this year’s BRICS Summit. Attention has been concentrated on three pivotal areas:

The first area is climate finance, directly linked to the Belém agenda. This will serve as a cornerstone for developing the Baku to Belém Roadmap to 1.3T, aimed at mobilising $1.3 trillion in climate finance annually by 2035. The recent BRICS Summit in Rio culminated in the signing of the Leaders' Framework Declaration on Climate Finance, the first document that captures the collective stance of countries representing the Global Majority on this crucial issue. This position emphasises not only the urgent need to boost climate financing but also its vital connection to reforming multilateral financial institutions and the international monetary system at large. Additionally, it calls for expanding tools to mobilise private capital and diversifying financing avenues, including the transition finance concept proposed by Russia at last year’s BRICS Business Council," the expert noted.

The second and third areas are in the next post ➡

@igor_a_makarov

#EXPERT #OPINION #BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #climate

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The second part of the comment by Igor Makarov, Head of School of World Economy and the Laboratory for Economics of Climate Change at HSE University, and an expert at the BRICS Expert Council-Russia, on the results of the BRICS summit.

"The second area lies at the intersection of climate and biodiversity. The Brazilian delegation is actively championing this connection by promoting the bioeconomy concept. While this term did not make it into the final document, several of its key tenets—such as the essential role of forests in tackling a wide array of environmental challenges—are reflected within it. Furthermore, confirming its commitment to preserving vital ecosystems, Brazil announced the establishment of a Tropical Forest Forever Facility in Belém," the expert noted.

Igor Makarov also emphasised the importance of bloc's institutionalising in his comments.

Lastly, the third area focuses on institutionalising cooperation within BRICS on climate issues. Notably, regulations for the BRICS Climate Research Platform were approved during Russia's Chairship in 2024. The newly established BRICS Laboratory for Trade, Climate Change, and Sustainable Development aims to foster the development of coordinated approaches to trade and environmental policy. Additionally, the adoption of the BRICS Principles for Fair, Inclusive, and Transparent Carbon Accounting in Product and Facility Footprints sets the stage for developing universally recognised methodologies and standards for assessing greenhouse gas emissions across various industries.

It is noteworthy that these climate-related documents are unified under the overarching title "BRICS Climate Leadership Roadmap." At the same time, the leaders' declaration underscores the group's recognition of its unique responsibility in driving the green transformation of the global economy. These important signals illustrate that BRICS is ready to take its collaborative efforts in this area to a new level and assume a more significant role in global climate change regulation," he finalised.

@igor_a_makarov

#EXPERT #OPINION #BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #climate

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BRICS not working against other countries

BRICS countries do not respond to threats and do not direct their work against other states, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"BRICS does not respond to threats. BRICS never directs its activities against any countries. That is not the purpose of BRICS," the spokesman emphasised.

According to him, #BRICS was created and is developing so that countries can cooperate in areas of mutual interest for mutual benefit.

Earlier, Trump signed an executive order increasing tariffs on a number of BRICS countries. Thus, from August 1, the US will impose a 25% tariff on imports from India. Tariffs on Brazilian imports will also increase to 50%.

#NEWS #sanctions

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Anna Nesterova, Chairperson of the Russian Chapter of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance, on the results of the BRICS summit and the work conducted by the Alliance:

"We hold a positive view of this year's Brazilian Chairship in BRICS, which has been incredibly dynamic and concluded on a high note.

Throughout the year, a series of flagship events unfolded under the BRICS Women's Business Alliance, leading to the implementation of numerous initiatives and projects aimed at fostering women's entrepreneurship. Additionally, recommendations were crafted for the governments of the BRICS nations to help eliminate barriers faced by women across the member nations," she noted.

Anna Nesterova emphasises that the high-level support of the Alliance confirms the correctness of the chosen course and motivates to move forward:

"Since its inception, the Alliance's efforts have consistently been highlighted in the final declarations of BRICS leaders. This year, it is referenced in three key paragraphs of the Document.

We greatly appreciate that our work receives annual support and recognition at such a high level. For us, this serves as a crucial indicator that we are on the right track and provides a significant motivation to continue our progress."

@bricswomen

#OPINION #summit

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Lukashenko: Belarus’ participation in SCO, BRICS is a powerful diplomacy tool

Belarus’ participation in SCO and BRICS is a powerful tool for advancing diplomacy engagement in distant countries, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with heads of Belarus’ diplomatic missions.

"Last year we provided you with additional powerful tools to work in faraway countries: membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and partnership with BRICS. These represent the most significant outcomes of our consistent foreign policy efforts in recent years. Specific strategies for our engagement with these structures have been approved. I expect they will be fully implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government bodies under the government’s supervision," said the head of state.

He noted that economically, SCO and BRICS offer a unique framework for relations with nations shaping and destined to shape the future world order: Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Brazil, South Africa, UAE, Ethiopia, and Egypt.

"We now have a common platform for working with Nigeria, Malaysia, Thailand and other BRICS participants. Their political doors are open to us. We must take advantage of this and break into their markets," said Aleksandr Lukashenko.

#NEWS #Belarus #diplomacy

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BRICS Partnership on Carbon Markets to become fully operational in 2025

The BRICS Carbon Markets Partnership will become fully operational in 2025. This was announced by Nikita Kondratyev, Director of the Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development.

"On the one hand, the BRICS countries are the largest emitters, on the other —the largest producers of low-carbon technologies. And due to this, the balance of the carbon market can be maintained, among other things. And to solve this problem, to discuss the further modality of functioning of carbon markets in 2024, we launched a partnership on carbon markets within the framework of the Russian presidency of #BRICS. And this year it is already starting its full-fledged work," Kondratiev said.

He noted that Russia sees great attention from partner countries, including BRICS, to the implementation of climate projects and trade in carbon units. According to him, BRICS is currently a unique combination of countries, some of which have significant potential for the implementation of climate projects, while others may be interested in buying carbon units to offset greenhouse gas emissions.

#NEWS #climate

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📖 Word of the Week: BRICS Network University

BRICS Network University is a consortium of higher education institutions from the BRICS nations. This unique initiative is focused on developing, testing, and implementing a model of educational collaboration through a variety of bilateral and multilateral short-term joint programmes, master's and doctoral programmes, as well as collaborative research projects across diverse fields.

🌐NU Establishment

This year, BRICS NU celebrates its 10th anniversary. The Memorandum of Understanding for the Establishment of the BRICS Network University was crafted by a dedicated working group during Russia's Chairship in #BRICS and was signed in November 2015.

🔥Key Fields of Study

➖Energy
➖Computer science and information security
➖BRICS studies
➖Ecology and climate change
➖Water resources and pollution neutralisation
➖Economics

During the meeting of the BRICS NU International Governing Board on May 16, 2024, the list of training areas was enriched with five new categories:

➖Sustainable agriculture and food security
➖Mathematics
➖Natural sciences
➖Social sciences and humanities
➖Health sciences

#BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #wordoftheweek

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Cuba and its opportunities with the status of partner in BRICS

Cuba's status as a partner state in the BRICS and an observer state in the EAEU opens up new opportunities for this country for mutually beneficial cooperation with the members of these groups, Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko said.

"It seems to me that both #BRICS and #EAEC open for Cuba new opportunities for more favourable, mutually beneficial economic cooperation with the member countries of these groups," Matvienko said during a meeting with the President of the National Assembly of the People's Power of Cuba, Esteban Lazo Hernandez.

Valentina Matvienko recalled that not only Russia actively supported Cuba's accession to BRICS as a partner state, but also the other member states.

#NEWS #Cuba

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In touch with BRICS: news digest

Your quick rundown of the most important BRICS updates

✔Pakistan still interested in joining BRICS

✔China ready to work with BRICS countries to defend multilateral trade

✔BRICS not working against other countries

✔BRICS is not the biggest threat to the US dollar

✔The Russian Federation and Sustainable Development: Overview of Achievements and Initiatives by Regions, Business, and Civil Society

✔Belarus’ participation in SCO, BRICS is a powerful diplomacy tool

✔BRICS Partnership on Carbon Markets to become fully operational in 2025

✔Cuba and its opportunities with the status of partner in #BRICS

#BRICSExpertCouncilDIGEST

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Russia ready to expand ties with Global South

Russia is ready to boost cooperation with countries of the Global South to counter illegal sanctions pressure, official Spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said.

"We believe nothing can be done with the natural course of history by any tariff wars and sanctions. We have plenty of partners, co-thinkers, and allies sharing this approach, among countries of the Global South and #BRICS in the first instance," the diplomat stressed.

She also added that Russia is ready to ramp up cooperation with these countries to counter the unlawful unilateral sanction pressure and shape a genuinely multilateral, fair, and equal world order.

#NEWS #diplomacy

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Malaysia secured nearly $22.45 billion in investments from BRICS countries

In 2024, the trade volume between Malaysia and the BRICS nations reached 818 billion ringgit (approximately 15.41 trillion roubles), accounting for 35.2 percent of the nation’s overall global trade.

During this same period, investments from the BRICS countries totalled 104.9 billion ringgit (around 1.98 trillion roubles). The Ministry highlighted that Malaysia's status as a BRICS partner facilitates its entry into major international markets and helps attract additional capital.

"Although Malaysia is not yet a full member of BRICS, we are already reaping the benefits of our economic ties with these nations, as many of them serve as key trading partners and sustainable sources of foreign investment," Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim remarked.

Earlier, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the country's dedication to the core values that underpin BRICS activities. He also participated in the XVII BRICS Summit, which took place on July 6–7, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro.

#NEWS #Malaysia #trade

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🇧🇷 Brazil DEFIES US dollar dominance

President Lula da Silva says global trade must be free — without Washington’s currency stranglehold. What's driving him?

Tectonic shift in world order

🟠 "President Lula will no longer accept unequal terms of trade and US intervention because the very nature of the international system has irreversibly changed," Dr Anuradha Chenoy, retired professor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, tells Sputnik.

🟠 The US has imposed tariffs and pressured Brazil’s Supreme Court to drop cases against ex-President Jair Bolsonaro — Trump’s ally who refused to concede defeat.

🟠 Many Brazilians see it as interference and a threat to sovereignty.

BRICS shield against US hegemony

Brazil has BRICS partners to lean on.

✅ In July 2025, China — bolstered by its economic resilience — signed key cooperation deals with Brazil, covering everything from infrastructure to strategic development.

✅ Brazil-US trade totals around $92 billion, but BRICS trade is far larger. Brazil exports around $121 billion to BRICS — 35% of its total — while importing $88 billion.

✅ With stronger BRICS ties, Brazil has less need to depend on the US, says financial analyst Paul Goncharoff.

De-dollarization accelerates

Lula's push for an alternative currency makes sense — sticking to the dollar means guaranteed loss in value.

"There's really no alternative for the world but to get out of the US dollar trap," Goncharoff stresses.

👉 The shift away from USD is only growing.

👉 PIX, Brazil’s free payment system, bypasses Western firms like Visa and Mastercard — empowering local entrepreneurs, Dr. Vinicius Vieira from the University of São Paulo tells Sputnik.

👉 "And that bothers Trump because those new technologies are a signal that the dollar empire may be coming to an end," the pundit notes.

👉 The US acts desperately to resist its hegemonic decline, but no empire lasts forever. Just as the British pound fell, the US dollar may be facing the same fate.

"The best that [Washington] could do is to offer honest agreements in order to preserve the minimum level of transactions of US dollars, instead of implying sanctions or what now we call a weaponized interdependence," Vieira concludes.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

4th BRICS Summer School South Africa 2025

The 4th BRICS Summer School, hosted by SABYA, is set to unfold under the theme “Building Inclusive Futures: Education, Innovation, and Unity Across the BRICS and Global South.”

This event will bring together distinguished scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss and explore critical issues surrounding education, innovation, and collaboration among the #BRICS nations and the Global South. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and contribute to shaping inclusive future.

⏰ Date: September 3–5, 2025
📍 Location: University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg Business School

#ANNOUNCEMENT #EVENT

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Russia and Malaysia consider BRICS a platform for aligning mutual interests

Russia and Malaysia view BRICS as a platform for aligning the interests of the Global Majority, as highlighted in the materials prepared by the Kremlin Press Service ahead of the upcoming meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim.

The two leaders will engage in negotiations at the Kremlin on Wednesday.

"With Russia assuming the Chairship of #BRICS in 2024, Malaysia has been granted partner status within the group. Both Russia and Malaysia regard BRICS as a unique platform for aligning the interests of leading nations representing the Global Majority and an effective mechanism for multilateral cooperation," the briefing notes state.

#NEWS #RussiaMalaysia #diplomacy

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Victoria Panova took part in the Jakarta Futures Forum

On August 5–6, 2025, the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) based in India, alongside the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) based in Indonesia and key regional institutions and governments, co-hosted a two-day global conference titled "Jakarta Futures Forum: Securing Seas, Strengthening Cooperation." The forum featured an inaugural plenary session and five thematic pillars.

Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia, Vice Rector at HSE University, and Russian W20 Sherpa, served as a speaker in the session "Connecting Commerce: BRICS, Africa, and the Next Frontiers in Global Trade" and took on the role of moderator in the session "Faster Routes, Stronger Trade."

📎 The full agenda can be found on the official website of the forum

#NEWS #BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia

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Ivan Ivanov, Director of the Pinsky Centre for General and Extracurricular Education at HSE Institute of Education, shares his insights on the report "Transformation of General Education in BRICS Countries," which was collaboratively prepared by the BRICS Expert Council-Russia and the HSE Institute of Education.

"This report marks the first cross-national study examining the state and evolution of general education systems across the BRICS nations. Involving education researchers from these countries to share insights on practices that foster quality education was a carefully considered choice. The contextual and cultural perspectives presented in this report illustrate how meaningful educational practices can be developed in similar emerging economies, as well as in low- and middle-income nations. It underscores the necessity of tailoring educational policies to local contexts while promoting inclusive systems. The #BRICS nations play a pivotal role in global education, characterised by both shared traits and distinct differences shaped by their unique socio-economic landscapes," the expert noted.

📎 Read full-text report

@inobrhse

#ANALYTICS #report #education

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Members of the Civil BRICS Council met in Jakarta

Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia, Co-Chair of the Russian Chapter of Civil BRICS Council, Russia's W20 Sherpa, and Vice Rector at HSE University, met today the Indonesian Chapter of the Civil BRICS Council represented by Hardiani Uli Silalahi, Vice President of the Indonesian Women’s Congress (KOWANI) and Ah Maftuchan, Executive Director of the Perkumpulan PRAKARSA.

#BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #CivilBRICS

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