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DIGITAL WORLD
BRICS+ Media Centre 
MODERN RUSSIAN 
15.07.2617:00 
15.07.2616:30 
BRICS News Digest for the previous week
We tell you about what happened in economics, politics, culture, science and education in the countries of the association
Colombia's president states his country wants to join BRICS
The Latin American country would like to become part of the association "as soon as possible"
Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his country's interest in joining BRICS.
Tourism flow between BRICS countries may significantly increase
This was announced by the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation
Within the framework of the Russian BRICS Chairmanship, the first online meeting of the Contact Group on Tourism was held.
Lula da Silva favours creation of South American bank
He called on the leaders of Latin American states to be proactive
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has defended the creation of a bank for South American countries that would be an alternative to the World Bank.
Russian Federation Council: 40 countries want to join BRICS
The upper house of parliament considers the idea of creating a rigid charter of the association premature
More than 40 states claim to join BRICS, the number of such countries is increasing every month, said the head of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Grigory Karasin during a briefing.
General Elections begin in India
Voting results will be announced on 4 June
On 19 April, India starts parliamentary elections, which will be held in seven stages over six weeks.
Mass training for unemployed to be extended in South Africa
The National Development Plan (NDP) aims to create 11 million new jobs by 2030
South Africa's Department of Employment and Labour will extend the Unemployment Insurance Fund's (UIF) Labour Activation Programme (LAP), set up to train those without permanent jobs, to several provinces.
Egyptian minister points to necessary measures to tackle climate change
Rania Al-Mashat called for closer co-operation between development banks and financial institutions
Egypt’s Minister of International Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat called on the World Bank at the G20 ministerial meeting to prioritise innovative financial solutions to combat climate change.
Tehran and Moscow finalise draft contract to implement agreement on construction of Rasht-Astara Railway
According to the contract, Iranian contractors will fully realise the infrastructure of the railway line
In a meeting held between Deputy Minister of Russian Railways Sergey Pavlov and Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali, the two sides paid special attention to the preparation of the contract for the implementation of the agreement on the construction of Rasht-Astara Railway.
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Ethiopia's Agriculture Minister outlines three new sector strategies
The country's Minister of Agriculture, Girma, said the strategies are central to Ethiopia's commitment to food security and sovereignty
Ethiopia's Minister of Agriculture, Girma Amante, emphasised that the new agricultural strategies focused on transforming food systems in Ethiopia are a fundamental indicator of the country's commitment to food security and nutrition.
25 minutes 32 sec.