BRICS Wonders of the World. The Architectural Dance of India

When the Ancient Greeks listed the Seven Wonders of the World, they were still unaware of most parts of the globe. So, the famous list is, of course, far from complete. BRICS Business Magazine has decided to fill this historical gap and offer readers its own list of the wonders of the 🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊 world – the most impressive creations of human thought, culture and architecture. In this issue, we invite you to get acquainted with India and, in particular, with the masterpieces of its temple architecture.

📎 Read more in the article by Ksenia Apel, art historian, researcher, lecturer.

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Genet Teshome Jirru: BRICS is very important for us

In 2024, Ethiopia became a member of the #BRICS. Being one of the fastest growing economies in the global system, the Republic aims to enhance its trade volume and strengthen ties with members of the group. Environmental protection and reduction of desertification are key spheres to Ethiopia within the context of BRICS cooperation.

How Ethiopia can tackle climate challenges together with BRICS? What initiatives can Ethiopia offer to association?

Genet Teshome Jirru, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the Russian Federation answered these and other questions.

@tvbrics

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African Farmers Poised to Gain From BRICS Grain Exchange

The BRICS Grain Exchange will be useful in as far as improving the price transparency for countries that feel that the current exchanges are not offering them that.

📻🌾 #AfricanCurrents sought insights from Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), on the role BRICS grain exchange might play in strengthening Africa’s agricultural trade and food security.

▶️ Hit the play button to get the full conversation!

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🔸 Sputnik Africa | X 🔸

Richard Sakwa: BRICS is the foundation of more mature international politics

2024 marks Russia's #BRICS Chairmanship, also recognised globally as the year of the group's major expansion. Richard Sakwa, a professor at the University of Kent, Moscow State University, and Senior Research Fellow at the Higher School of Economics, shared his views on the contributions each new BRICS member country has made to the group.

What role does the group play in shaping a multipolar world?

What reforms should be made to global governance institutions? What are the prospects for cross-border migration and the development of human capital within BRICS countries, particularly in Russia?

These and other questions were answered by political scientist Richard Sakwa.

@tvbrics

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Food Leaders

🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊 countries currently account for 42% of global food production and over 40% of consumption. Trade between the member states is becoming increasingly active, and experts anticipate the creation of new regional hubs and hope for the continuous exchange of knowledge and experience in innovations. BRICS Business Magazine explored the most effective areas of cooperation among the union’s participants and how BRICS countries can reshape the global agricultural landscape.

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📖 Word of the Week: BRICS Think Tank Council (BTTC)

The BRICS Think Tank Council was established at the 2013 Summit in Durban, South Africa, through a decision made by the leaders of the BRICS member nations. It has evolved into a major international dialogue platform, bringing together representatives from leading research institutes and analytical centres across the BRICS countries.

⭐ The BTTC mission is to enhance collaboration within the expert community, foster the exchange of ideas among researchers, and prepare recommendations for national leaders on critical issues related to politics, economy, sustainable development, and global security.

📎 Key BTTC objectives include:
➖ Organising expert platforms
➖ Strengthening interactions among representatives of the expert community
➖ Promoting the agenda and positive image of BRICS
➖ Facilitating the collection and exchange of information
➖ Assessing the fulfilment of BRICS commitments

Every year, the BTTC hosts the BRICS Academic Forum, a pivotal expert platform dedicated to developing ideas and proposals addressing the most pressing challenges in global politics, economy, and development.

Today, the BTTC plays a vital role in shaping the intellectual foundation of BRICS and enhancing cooperation among the countries of the Global South.

🌍 Members of the BTTC:
Brazil - Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada
Russia - BRICS Expert Council-Russia
India - Observer Research Foundation
China - China Council for the BRICS Think Tank Cooperation
South Africa - South African BRICS Think Tank
Iran - Institute of Political and International Studies
Ethiopia - Institute of Foreign Affairs

#BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #wordoftheweek

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In touch with BRICS: news digest

Your quick rundown of the most important BRICS updates

➖Zhurova: the United States is concerned about the growing influence of BRICS

➖BRICS helps Africa develop human capital

➖BRICS is very new and innovative mechanism

➖The capital of Tatarstan hosted the third #BRICS and SCO Young Leaders Award ceremony

#BRICSExpertCouncilDIGEST

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🕊in the World, Naturally Green

Despite the headwinds of a global economic downturn and mounting sanctions, Russian mineral fertilizer producers continue to increase supplies both domestically and to friendly countries.

BRICS Business Magazine interviewed Andrey Guryev, President of the Russian Association of Fertilizer Producers and Chairman of the Russia–Brazil Business Council. He discussed what helps the industry maintain its global leadership, the development of relations between 🇷🇺 Russia and 🇧🇷 Brazil, and why interaction between the two countries could serve as a model for addressing key strategic challenges across the entire 🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊 group.

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📊 Trade Patterns Between BRICS+ and China: Complementarity or Asymmetry?

This study analyzes the trade relations between 🇨🇳 China and the BRICS+ countries in the period from 2013 to 2023, with emphasis on the centrality of China within the cluster. The research examines trade volumes and the composition of exports and imports, investigating to what extent these dynamics reproduce historical patterns of the international division of labor.

Data indicates that China maintains trade surpluses with most BRICS+ members, mostly exporting higher value-added manufactured goods and importing agricultural commodities and minerals. Although countries such as 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇷🇺 Russia and 🇿🇦 South Africa have surpluses, their export policies remain focused on low-value added products. Analysis of new BRICS+ members reveals similar trends, especially among oil-exporting countries such as Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

The study argues that despite the discourse on South-South cooperation, BRICS+ trade patterns continue to strengthen China’s dominant industrial position. It is also emphasized the need to deepen research on other dimensions of intra-BRICS+ relations, such as development cooperation, technology transfer and political articulation, especially in view of the agenda of the Brazilian presidency of the BRICS in 2025, that seeks to diversify trade and investment flows.

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Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Egypt

On August 26, Russia and the Arab Republic of Egypt celebrate the 82nd anniversary of their diplomatic relations!

From the early days of our cooperation, the bonds of friendship and trust between our nations have only deepened. The Soviet Union played a pivotal role in supporting Egypt’s independence and in constructing vital economic infrastructure, most notably the famous Aswan High Dam, which stands as a symbol of the relationship between Russia and Egypt.

Today, #Egypt remains one of Russia's key partners in the Middle East and Africa. High-level political dialogue is flourishing, with bilateral commissions and intergovernmental mechanisms actively at work. Our trade and economic ties are gradually expanding, and cooperation in energy, transport, agriculture, and tourism is growing.

Russia and Egypt share aligned perspectives on key international issues, engaging productively within the UN and other multilateral platforms while coordinating efforts within #BRICS.

We extend heartfelt congratulations to our Egyptian colleagues on this shared celebration and wish them peace, well-being, and continued prosperity!

Warm regards,
BRICS Expert Council-Russia

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🎞 Victoria Panova: Russia and BRICS

Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia and Vice Rector at HSE University, joined The Trialogue Podcast for an in-depth discussion on BRICS' origins, Russia’s perspective on the group, and how #BRICS differs from other international formats like the G7 and G20.

The expert highlighted the following topics: origins of BRICS, Primakov and the idea of RIC, first meetings of BRIC in Russia, South Africa joining the group, BRICS evolution over the last 15 years, relations between BRICS and the West, the recent BRICS expansion, and many others.

📎 Listen to the podcast

#EXPERT #BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia

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Congratulations on the 75th birthday of Professor Anatoly Torkunov, Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Rector of MGIMO University, and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 🎉

Dear Professor Torkunov,

On behalf of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia, we extend our heartfelt congratulations and sincere wishes for your well-being, good health, and continued success in your remarkable professional journey.

Your enduring contributions to the evolution of international relations, higher education, and diplomatic science command profound respect and admiration. Under your leadership and relentless dedication, MGIMO University continues to flourish as a beacon for young talent, a vital platform for dialogue among nations, and an independent expert hub that fosters mutual understanding within the BRICS community and beyond.

We wish you boundless energy, new professional milestones, and fruitful collaborations with partners across the globe. May your work continue to strengthen international cooperation, education, and humanitarian ties.

With deep respect,
BRICS Expert Council-Russia

@mgimo_university

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Global Food Security or a Race Against Obstacles

There is enough food produced on our planet to meet the needs of the entire population of all countries. Only man-made obstacles must be eliminated and a reliable infrastructure built for calculations and delivery to those in need. 🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊 – a market, space and platform for effectively implementing such initiatives in the equal interests of all members of the association, believes Eduard Zernin, Chairman of the Board of BIO-TON Agri Corp, Member of the board of Rusgrain Union, the Russian Union of Grain Exporters and Producers.

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🪙 Prospects for a Single Framework of CBDC-Based Cross-Border Payments in the BRICS Countries. Part 1

Since the dawn of the 21st century, the #BRICS nations—🇷🇺 Russia, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇮🇳 India, 🇨🇳 China, and 🇿🇦 South Africa—have emerged as key players among developing economies, collectively accounting for 35% of the global gross product.

The profound transformational shifts driven by the current geopolitical landscape have prompted a re-evaluation of existing international trade models, igniting a surge in innovative solutions for the technological advancement of the global financial system.

One of the key focus areas for the BRICS central banks is the digitalisation of monetary transactions and pilot exploration of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).

📎 Read more in our new article by Victor Dostov, Chairman of the Board of the Russian Electronic Money and Remittance Association, expert of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia.

More #BRICS analytics is available on the official website of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia.

#ANALYTICS #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia #BRICSExpertCouncil

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Iran sees EAEU, SCO, BRICS as platforms for boosting ties with Russia

Tehran plans to increase cooperation with Russia and China within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

"Apart from bilateral interaction with Russia, Iran also sees regional and international organizations such as the #EAEU, the #SCO and #BRICS as constructive platforms for cooperation with their member states, especially Russia and China, in order to effectively resist attempts to build a unipolar world," Pezheshkian’s press service quoted him as saying.

#NEWS #RussiaIran #China

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Plus One

In January, the biggest Southeast Asian nation in population and GDP terms became a fully-fledged member of BRICS. What opportunities will this partnership unlock?

With Indonesia’s inclusion, BRICS now represents half the world’s population. According to Intereconomics data for 2024, the bloc accounted for about 46% of the global population but, with the addition of Indonesia’s 280 million, this figure rises to 49.5%. The combined GDP of BRICS members at purchasing power parity (PPP) is expected, according to IMF forecasts, to reach nearly 40% in 2025 (in comparison, G7 economies are projected to account for only approximately 29% based on the same metric).

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Russia and Latin America hold significant potential for enhancing economic ties

Amid constant sanctions and an increasingly unstable international landscape, Russia is compelled to forge a brand new strategy for engaging with nations around the globe. With its membership expanding, BRICS is gaining prominence on the world stage, unveiling new trade and economic pathways as older ones begin to fade.

"In Latin America, interest in BRICS cooperation is on the rise. Countries in the region are particularly interested in the New Development Bank (NDB), which can finance infrastructure projects and stimulate economic growth. The transition to national currencies in international settlements will reduce dependence on the US dollar and facilitate trade between Latin America and the BRICS nations. Regional states also see strong potential in #BRICS initiatives addressing food security and agriculture. They are keen to exchange expertise and technologies, and participate in creating a grain exchange. Cooperation in information technology, data sharing, and cybersecurity also generates considerable interest."

Learn more about the history, current state, and future prospects for interaction with Latin American nations in an interview Nikolay Shkolyar, Lead Researcher and Member of the Academic Council at the Institute of Latin America, Russian Academy of Sciences.

#OPINION #politics

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🗣️ Vandana Saxena, 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.

"Diversity across contexts runs as a common thread across BRICS countries. The educational policies and provisions in every #BRICS country acknowledge this leading to development of affirmative responses, as a systemic approach, to empower every citizen of the country. However, in every BRICS country, factors like disproportionate spread of huge population across uneven landscapes pose significant challenge for a congruent implementation of the same. Further, the social inequalities are a reality and education is a tacit game changer for every country of this forum. The rural and urban population demography is suitably represented in student population, although the quality of learning experiences and resources in both the contexts, continues to be a point of discussion. The enrolment of girls in the schools on the scale of 49.4%-47.1% indicates that the gender gap is narrowing. The countries in this forum have a wide disparity in resources with GDP per capita varying from 47.30-11.11. Despite that the educational planners and practitioners in each of these countries, unequivocally, acknowledge the role of education in transforming the life of their citizens and is continuously striving for enhancing the quality of education while critically examining the significance of locating and nurturing linguistic, ethnic, religious diversities and their intersectionality with gender, class and disability," the expert noted.

📎 Read full-text report

@inobrhse

#ANALYTICS #report #education

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🎞 Watch the 10th edition of Coffee with BRICS themed “The Main Results of the XVII BRICS Summit,” organized by the BRICS Policy Center in Brazil with the participation of Alexandra Morozkina, Deputy Director for Research at HSE University (Russia), Head of the Structural Reforms Division of the Economic Expert Group, Chair of the Expert Commission of the Russian Agency for International Humanitarian Cooperation and BRICS Expert Council-Russia Expert.

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