BRICS Summit to Bolster Group’s Role in Multilateralism, Says Russian Deputy Foreign Minister
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated in an exclusive interview with TV BRICS that the BRICS summit in India will strengthen the group’s position as one of the central pillars of multilateralism and a tool for advancing the interests of the global majority. He emphasized that the participation of leaders from BRICS partner countries, as well as heads of regional organizations from the Global South and East, in the Delhi summit will contribute to achieving this objective. Ryabkov highlighted the broad participation of the BRICS community as highly beneficial and necessary, commending India’s significant efforts during its chairmanship to facilitate this engagement.
The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister further indicated that the upcoming summit will be marked by important decisions and new steps aimed at deepening cooperation among BRICS members. India’s presidency theme for BRICS in 2026 is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability.” Ryabkov explained that these four pillars will encompass BRICS activities across the domains of politics and security, economy and finance, and cultural and humanitarian cooperation. He affirmed ongoing efforts to continuously strengthen the role of the global majority countries and groupings like BRICS in all these spheres.
Ryabkov underscored the network-based structure of BRICS, noting that the group lacks internal hierarchy and operates on consensus-based decision-making. He acknowledged that consensus is not an easy mechanism but stressed that without it, BRICS would lose a substantial part of its appeal. He also identified the continuity of activities as a key principle of BRICS, stating that achievements from Russia’s 2024 BRICS presidency have laid the groundwork for current endeavors. The deputy foreign minister added that foundations were prepared in many areas, and activities based on these principles continue today. These include proposals that have garnered support from all BRICS countries, such as establishing a mechanism for cross-border payments, a settlement and deposit infrastructure, reinsurance capacity, a BRICS grain exchange, and a new investment platform.
He reiterated continuous efforts to ensure these activities extend beyond mere statements. Ryabkov pointed out that BRICS has over 140 projects in progress, with the New Development Bank alone holding assets worth $140 billion. He also mentioned initiatives to increase the use of national currencies in transactions and to develop alternative mechanisms for financing and providing financial services for projects. The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister noted that BRICS is celebrating its twentieth anniversary, during which its membership has more than doubled, and the number of participants has quadrupled when including partner countries.
Artificial intelligence was identified as another significant area of current BRICS cooperation. Ryabkov suggested that while it might still be premature to discuss the formation of a completely independent BRICS AI group, progress is being made and the bloc is not lagging behind. He stated that BRICS member states are strengthening cooperation foundations by leveraging their AI capacities, ensuring the peaceful use of outer space, and creating favorable conditions for expanding mutual trade and reducing barriers. Ryabkov also listed cooperation in public health, combating communicable and non-communicable diseases, scientific and educational collaborations, and the BRICS Network University as other important areas of cooperation among the group’s members.
Concluding his remarks, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister evaluated India’s BRICS presidency, citing the organization of several hundred events, expanded interaction between BRICS and civil society and academic circles, increased recognition of the BRICS brand, and enhanced cooperation with newly joined countries as key achievements of this period.
