BRICS Marks 20 Years with International Expert Forum in Moscow
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, a week of events celebrating the 20th anniversary of BRICS commenced in Moscow on June 15th. This initiative, spearheaded by the international TV BRICS network in collaboration with Russia’s M.I. Rudomino State Library for Foreign Literature, features a comprehensive schedule of cultural, educational, and diplomatic activities. These events are designed to delve into the bloc’s two decades of engagement across economic, cultural, and human development sectors.
Jana Tolstikova, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of TV BRICS, emphasized the significance of the occasion, stating that the BRICS Plus Media and Cultural Center is once again serving as a crucial platform for constructive dialogue among experts from various nations, fostering shared perspectives on vital international cooperation issues. She added that the insights and conclusions generated during BRICS anniversary week will inform analytical reports and materials produced by TV BRICS’ partner media, thereby enriching BRICS’ common agenda with statistical data, analyses, and expert evaluations pertinent to the group’s future and the attainment of the UN’s sustainable development goals.
The week’s program began on Monday with a specialized seminar focusing on literature and the publishing industry within BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The principal event of the week is scheduled for June 16th: a summit titled “BRICS: 20 Years of Achievements, Outcomes, and Cooperation Prospects.” This high-level meeting will convene representatives from governmental bodies, the private sector, academia, and civil society.
Speakers from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa are expected to exchange views on BRICS’ role in reshaping the international system, expanding economic, scientific, and educational cooperation, advancing technology, and enhancing public and media diplomacy, as well as collaboration with Global South countries.
Samir Shah, President of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry in India, commented on the bloc’s evolution, noting that BRICS today differs significantly from its early years. This transformation, he explained, extends beyond membership expansion to encompass the tangible achievements resulting from collective member cooperation. Shah cited the New Development Bank as a prime example of successful collaboration, established to meet the genuine needs of Global South nations and delivering concrete results. He also pointed to the trajectory set in recent BRICS summits, particularly the Kazan Summit in 2024, as evidence of the group moving beyond declarations to establishing practical cooperation mechanisms.
According to the report, June 17th will feature a session on “Media and BRICS: Creating a Shared Information Space,” with participation from media representatives across various countries. Attendees will discuss strengthening media collaborations and exchanging experiences in mass communications. Further events include a ceremony with diplomatic delegations on June 18th, followed by a seminar on June 19th titled “BRICS as a Phenomenon in a Multipolar World: Origins, Development Stages, and Prospects.” The BRICS anniversary week will conclude on June 20th with a workshop on traditional Indian ‘Madhubani’ painting, led by Anjali Singh, an artist from the Mithila Art Institute and a member of the ‘Bihar Heritage’ organization, dedicated to promoting traditional Indian arts and crafts.
Wang Weiping, a representative from the BRICS Innovation Park in China, highlighted the group’s significance, stating that over the past two decades, BRICS has evolved from an economic dialogue platform into an influential force for positive development in the international order. He added that BRICS members and partners have consistently upheld principles of multilateralism, inclusive cooperation, and mutual benefit, expanding their collaborations in trade, investment, technological innovation, and cultural and educational exchanges—an approach that has become a cornerstone of the global economy and international relations.
The BRICS Plus Media and Cultural Center was established last year at the M.I. Rudomino State Library for Foreign Literature, with the support of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian Ministry of Culture, and the Russian Book Union, coinciding with Russia’s rotational presidency of BRICS.
