One of most remarkable stories of modern economy: BRICS experts reflect on group’s 20th Anniversary

The panel session “BRICS – 20 Years: Results, Achievements and Prospects for Cooperation” took place at the BRICS+ Information and Cultural Media Centre, based at the M. I. Rudomino All-Russia State Library for Foreign Literature in Moscow. The event was held as part of BRICS Anniversary Week, organised by the TV BRICS International Media Network and the Library for Foreign Literature.

The discussion brought together representatives of international organisations, the expert community, scientific and cultural institutions, business circles and public organisations from BRICS countries. Experts from India, China, Brazil, South Africa, and Russia addressed participants via video messages.

Sameep Shastri, Chairman of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI) from India, described the group’s development as one of the most remarkable stories of the modern economy.

"Over these two decades, trade among our countries has increased thirteenfold. [...] This growth has been made possible by the complementarity of our economies. What one member country produces is needed by another. What one country has already mastered, another seeks to learn. This is a true form of partnership capable of lasting for many years. [...] The complementarity of our economies is truly impressive. Energy, agriculture, industry, services, infrastructure, technology, and technology transfer. Virtually everything one country requires can be provided by another. And this is extremely important. It forms the basis of a genuinely self-sufficient ecosystem. And we are only beginning to unlock its potential"

Sameep Shastri Chairman of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The head of BRICS CCI stressed that enterprises, including small and medium-sized businesses, are ready to establish direct cooperation. The challenge now, he said, is to create mechanisms that respond to this demand by strengthening business contacts and facilitating trade and cross-border connections, enabling companies across BRICS countries to find one another and grow together.

Wang Weipeng, a resident of the BRICS Incubation Park from China, said he had participated in China–Russia cross-border industrial, educational and technological cooperation and had witnessed the enormous potential of collaboration within BRICS. According to him, amid an increasingly unstable global landscape, BRICS has consistently adhered to the principle of multilateralism while promoting cooperation in trade, technological innovation and cultural education.

"Looking ahead, I believe BRICS cooperation has three key areas for future development. First, deepening cooperation in scientific and technological innovation. In the context of global technological transformation, BRICS countries should jointly address challenges in artificial intelligence, digital technologies, intelligent healthcare and future information technologies, jointly establish open and accessible platforms for scientific and technological innovation, and create an independent, interconnected, and controllable industrial innovation ecosystem. Second, expanding cultural and educational exchanges. Talent is the foundation of BRICS’ long-term development. We should continue to broaden international student exchanges, academic visits, the joint establishment of laboratories, and collaborative interdisciplinary training programmes. Third, BRICS members should continue to uphold openness and inclusiveness while engaging more actively with other countries to exchange experience, scientific and technological achievements and industrial resources, making global development more balanced, inclusive and sustainable"

Wang Weipeng Resident of the BRICS Incubation Park

Fabio Borges, Coordinator of the BRICS Observatory Project in Brazil, noted that the most visible tangible outcome of BRICS cooperation has been the New Development Bank, whose establishment was agreed upon at the Fortaleza Summit in 2014. According to him, the institution differs from traditional organisations in that it operates on a horizontal basis, does not impose lending conditions, listens to the needs of Global South countries and pays close attention to environmental issues. Alongside the bank, the Contingent Reserve Arrangement was created as a mechanism similar to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to support countries seeking to expand trade in national currencies.

"Cultural ties between our countries are also growing stronger. There is TV BRICS, which broadcasts films and documentaries from all member countries so that we can better understand one another and implement joint projects. For example, here in Brazil I work at the BRICS Observatory, and every year we organise the BRICS Film Festival. Such cultural cooperation is extremely important. Collaboration is also developing in technology, security, social policy and youth exchanges. As a result, the BRICS initiative has become multidimensional, which greatly enhances its attractiveness in the eyes of the international community"

Fabio Borges Coordinator of the BRICS Observatory Project at the Federal University of Latin American Integration and organiser of the annual BRICS Film Festival

The Brazilian expert stated that BRICS has become an influential force within the international system and offers alternative pathways towards building a world order capable of bringing greater peace and investment into economic and social development. He noted that this corresponds to the essence of Brazil’s foreign policy, namely South–South cooperation aimed at increasing investment in infrastructure and environmental initiatives.

Russian experts also addressed the session. Marina Zakharenko, Director General of the Library for Foreign Literature, opened the discussion, highlighting the symbolic significance of holding the event within the walls of the “Inostranka”, which has served as a platform for international humanitarian dialogue for more than a century.

"BRICS is primarily a political and economic group, but without knowing and understanding another culture, it is impossible to build any kind of relationship. In this respect, the Library for Foreign Literature plays an obvious, meaningful and necessary role by bringing together representatives of different cultures and providing access to literature from various countries, including BRICS nations. [...] Each library [from BRICS countries] shared achievements reached over these twenty years. Every library maintains direct and focused cooperation. Our library, for example, works with the National Library of China and the National Library of Indonesia"

Marina Zakharenko Director General of the M. I. Rudomino All-Russia State Library for Foreign Literature

TV BRICS Executive Producer Kristina Muravyova emphasised that the library communities of BRICS countries play an important role both in preserving cultural heritage and in creating new cultural content. The professional conclusions and opinions expressed throughout BRICS Anniversary Week will form the basis of new analytical and news materials. These will be published by national media outlets across BRICS countries, enabling a comprehensive assessment of the group’s prospects and helping identify new opportunities to achieve the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals.

Photo: TV BRICS

BRICS Anniversary Week will continue until 20 June. The programme includes a series of cultural, educational and diplomatic events held at the BRICS+ Media Centre, reviewing the achievements of the group over the past 20 years in both the humanitarian and economic spheres.