BRICS News Digest for the previous week
We will tell you what has happened in economics, politics, culture, science and education in the BRICS countries
Iranian and Russian Foreign Ministers confirm interest in moving towards visa-free travel for tourists
The parties announced this during the talks
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi held talks in Moscow.
Brazil and China launch new maritime route
This is the result of agreements between the leaders of the two countries
The Brazilian cities of Salvador and Santana have become part of a new direct sea route with the port of Gaolan, located in the city of Zhuhai in southern China.
Egypt leads Arab region in pharmaceutical production
Pharmaceutical products are currently exported to 147 countries worldwide
Egypt has reaffirmed its position as the largest pharmaceutical market in the Arab region in terms of the volume of medical products available.
Egypt and Indonesia upgrade relations to strategic partnership
The two leaders discussed international issues of mutual interest
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and his Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto held a meeting in Cairo during which they signed a declaration to upgrade bilateral relations.
Ethiopian diplomat announces country's intention to join NDB
According to him, the republic has already received the support of all the member states of the group
Ethiopia’s accession to the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) is one of the country’s priorities for the current year, and an application has already been submitted
BRICS countries to launch joint initiative to combat land degradation
BRICS members will coordinate efforts to conserve soil and efficiently use water resources
The second meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Agriculture is took place in the capital of Brazil to discuss key initiatives in the field of food security, sustainable agricultural production, and rehabilitation of degraded areas.
UAE ranks first in number of accredited healthcare facilities in 2025
UAE continues to strengthen its position as a global leader in healthcare
The UAE has demonstrated significant progress in key healthcare quality indicators such as basic outcomes, infrastructure, and prevention.
Indian Embassy in Russia: mutual tourist flow to exceed 450,000 people in 2025
Moscow and New Delhi have also agreed on a simplified travel regime for athletes
In 2024, the number of Indian tourists visiting Russia has exceeded 120,000 people, according to preliminary data.
South African Foreign Minister calls for deepening economic partnership with Russia
African Republic plans to expand supplies to Russia
Representatives of the Russian and South African parts of the Russia-South Africa Business Council met in Moscow on 15 April.
-
![]()
Society09.09.26International scientists uncover reason behind slowdown in star formation -
![]()
Society08.09.26Bolivian cinema joins TV BRICS media space -
![]()
Society07.09.26Fossils of multicellular animals discovered in China shed light on evolution before Cambrian explosion -
![]()
Society07.09.26Leonardo Sobreira, Executive Editor of Brasil 247: "Common agenda that unites our countries is positive stories we should tell” -
![]()
Society07.09.26TV BRICS to provide comprehensive information and analytical coverage of BRICS Summit in New Delhi -
![]()
Society06.09.26BRICS News Digest for the previous week
-
![Vladimir Putin]()
Vladimir PutinPresident of Russia"We are developing mutual trade, which is growing; it increased by over 12 per cent last year. We have a joint commission working in this sphere. Our focus is on agriculture, shipbuilding, information technology and energy, including nuclear power. We have signed a free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Indonesia. Jakarta is our reliable and old friend within ASEAN. We are working together at all international platforms, including the UN" -
![Vladimir Putin]()
Vladimir PutinPresident of Russia"More and more Iranian students are choosing Russian education. We are very pleased about this. A great many future doctors are studying in Russia. In the 2025–2026 academic year, the number of Iranian students in Russia approached 10,000, with 802 of them studying at the expense of the Russian state budget" -
![Xi Jinping]()
Xi JinpingPresident of the People’s Republic of China"The foundation of our bilateral relations will only grow stronger, and we will confidently move forward to a better future. […] The striving of nations on our planet for peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit remains unchanged. The vital mission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is to maintain stability and promote the development of our region" -
![Alisher Salomov]()
Alisher SalomovAdviser to the Chairman of the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan"First and foremost, I would like to highlight the importance of this Central Asia–Russia initiative, because environmental problems know no borders, and only a shared understanding of these problems and the search for joint solutions can deliver positive results" -
![Joao Paulo Capobianco]()
Joao Paulo CapobiancoBrazilian Minister of the Environment and Climate Change"The BRICS countries have a very high level of responsibility because they share an important part of the world's biodiversity, landscapes, populations, food production and water resources. So, we have an opportunity to lead by example. We have our development bank, which can demonstrate and develop new ways of financing programmes. We can reduce the risks for private capital to invest in restoration and efforts to combat desertification"
