Moscow conference explores transport infrastructure and technological sovereignty across BRICS

An international conference entitled "Strengthening BRICS Connectivity: Fostering Cooperation" was held in Moscow. The conference took place during India's BRICS Chairship and brought together experts from Russia, India, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), South Africa, China, Iran, Brazil, and Ethiopia.

Participants discussed the resilience of transport and trade corridors, the reliability of critical resource supply chains, and the development of technological cooperation, including in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). The recommendations developed during the conference will contribute to the preparation of materials for the BRICS Summit in September.

"BRICS is not merely an important platform for the Global Majority; it is perhaps the only platform capable of transforming the current situation and proposing a new model of global governance. Today, resilience and sovereignty are fundamental prerequisites for development. Transport connectivity, supply chains and independent technological ecosystems form the backbone of the economic security of the BRICS countries," said Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council–Russia.

Pavel Knyazev, Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and Russia's BRICS Sous-Sherpa, noted that the group has reached the level of a strategic partnership and achieved substantial results. He highlighted the importance of the core principles of BRICS cooperation, which serve not only the interests of the group's members but also those of the majority of countries worldwide.

Photo: BRICS Expert Council–Russia

Nikhilesh Giri, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Russia, stated that technological partnership and stronger ties among the BRICS countries create new opportunities for sustainable development. He also called for reform of the United Nations (UN), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

During the session on transport, experts from Russia, the UAE and Egypt examined the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Northern Sea Route as alternatives to traditional logistics chains. "Resilient networks must be diversified, with backup routes, digital integration and the capacity to adapt to crises," said Nilanjan Ghosh, Vice President of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF).

At the session dedicated to resources, participants from India, South Africa, China and Iran discussed expanding raw material processing directly in producing regions. Philani Mthembu, Executive Director of the Institute for Global Dialogue (IGD) in Pretoria, South Africa, stressed that BRICS cooperation is helping African countries develop their own value chains for processing raw materials and manufacturing higher value-added products.

During the session on technology and artificial intelligence, Walter Desidera Neto, Researcher and Coordinator of Studies in Economic Relations at the Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPEA) and Brazil's coordinator to the BRICS Think Tanks Council (BTTC), described the shortage of computing infrastructure as one of the main constraints on technological development and proposed joint investment in supercomputers, networks and cloud computing.

"The BRICS group should develop common principles and values in the field of AI, making digital infrastructure a foundation not only for economic growth but also for innovation," he said.

Shimellis Hailu Dessie, Director General for European and American Affairs at the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) of Ethiopia, also advocated the development of independent BRICS technological standards.

During the discussions, participants also addressed the digitalisation of ports and customs procedures, risk management, infrastructure financing through the New Development Bank (NDB), the green transformation of the extractive industries, educational initiatives, specialist exchanges, the development of public diplomacy, and the interconnection between technological and energy cooperation among the BRICS countries.

The conference was organised by the BRICS Expert Council–Russia jointly with India's independent think tank, the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), within the framework of the BRICS Think Tanks Council (BTTC).