India
Source: www.bricsforum.in

By Purnima Anand, President BRICS Internation Forum

In 2026, the global economic landscape stands at a critical crossroads. The international community has witnessed the heavy friction of "decoupling" manifest in soaring tariff barriers, unilateral technology blockades, and restrictive financial sanctions. As established powers increasingly retreat behind protectionist walls, a quiet yet profound countercurrent is gaining momentum. It is a paradigm shift driven not by isolation, but by a collective determination across the Global South to build a more equitable, resilient, and multi-polar economic order.

Amidst these shifting sands, one premier golden gateway opens consistently every autumn. From November 5 to 10, 2026, the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE) will be held in the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) will host the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE). The event has already secured participation from over 1,000 elite enterprises representing more than 90 nations and regions. The CIIE is far more than a conventional trade fair—it is the world’s first national-level expo dedicated exclusively to imports. It stands as a deliberate, proactive institutional arrangement designed to open domestic market share to the world, turning China’s immense consumer base into a shared global resource.

The Convergence of Visions: BRICS and the SCO: Under India's visionary 2026 Chairship, the BRICS alliance is operating under the inspiring official theme and slogan: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” This philosophy emphasizes a humanity-first, people-centric model that amplifies the voice and developmental rights of emerging nations.

At the same time, within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, member states are actively exploring stable export platforms that are not dominated by third parties and can directly connect with consumer markets. Zhaner Kushukova, Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan,stated at "Big Market for All: Export to China" Kazakhstan thematic event that Kazakhstan attaches high importance to export cooperation with China, and that the CIIE has built a vital bridge for Kazakhstan–China trade and economic cooperation. Numerous Kazakhstani enterprises have found Chinese partners at previous editions of the CIIE and reaped strong results.
The CIIE ceases to be a mere marketplace; it becomes a powerful vehicle where the geopolitical aspirations of BRICS, the SCO, and rising economies are transformed into tangible economic realities. Brazil, with its forward-looking emphasis on cutting-edge agri-business, green technology, and sustainable aviation, views the expo as a prime accelerator for high-value exports.South Africa, acting as a vital industrial bridge for the African continent, leverages the platform to integrate regional manufacturing into global value chains.

The New Silk Route: Navigating Modern Corridors of Opportunity: At the heart of this economic orchestration lies the seamless integration between the CIIE and President Xi Jinping’s landmark Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The New Silk Route of the 21st century is no longer just a network of physical infrastructure; it is a dynamic digital, financial, and commercial web designed to unlock unprecedented business and development opportunities.

Through highly optimized maritime routes, continental freight rails, and streamlined customs frameworks, the New Silk Route systematically lowers the barriers to entry for emerging markets. The CIIE acts as the gateway to Chinese market following these corridors. For a business community looking to diversify its supply chains and mitigate risks, this modern trade route provides direct, unhindered access to high-growth sectors. It enables the seamless flow of intelligent industries, smart mobility solutions, agricultural bounty, and cross-border services from the heart of the Global South straight to the forefront of global demand.

Certainty as the Ultimate Premium: Trust and friendship are the foundation of cooperation. In a volatile global economy, trust cannot survive on rhetoric alone. It requires structural certainty—predictable timelines, fixed venues, and transparent matchmaking mechanisms. The CIIE has delivered precisely this for nearly a decade. Since its inaugural edition in 2018, the expo has facilitated a staggering cumulative intended transaction volume of over $580 billion, with the 8th edition alone securing $83.49 billion in mid-term agreements.

By ensuring this absolute institutional predictability year after year, the CIIE eliminates market anxiety. This certainty gives corporate boards, sovereign wealth funds, and industrial conglomerates across the BRICS and SCO spaces the confidence to invest in long-term production, expand logistics capacity, and forge deep-seated joint ventures.

An Historic Invitation to Global Architects of Growth: True economic resilience is ultimately sustained by mutual understanding. Beyond its six state-of-the-art commercial zones and one innovation incubation zone for start-ups, the CIIE’s dedicated cultural exchange segments ensure that trade remains rooted in mutual respect. When diverse civilizations showcase their innovations and heritage under one roof, they build the foundational goodwill required to trade pacts.

As the iconic "four-leaf clover" exhibition hall prepares to open its doors this November, it stands as a testament to what can be achieved when nations choose cooperation over division. We extend a profound invitation to the trade communities, innovators, and visionary leaders of BRICS, the SCO, and the rising economies: come to Shanghai, capture the extraordinary potential of the New Silk Route, and together, let us sketch the blueprint for a shared, prosperous tomorrow.

"Borders may define the geography of our nations, but shared trust designs the map of our future. When we build bridges of commerce instead of walls of division, we do not merely exchange goods—we harvest the collective dreams of humanity, ensuring that prosperity flows as freely as the rivers that connect us all."

China
Source: www.bricscustoms.org.cn

In response to the consensus reached at the Summit, the BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR) Innovation Center (BPIC) formally launched the “Golden Egret” Scholarship. The initiative aims to advance the high-quality development of “Greater BRICS Cooperation” and to promote the Initiative for International Cooperation on New Industrialization. Its first two training programs, the “2025 BPIC Training Program on Industrial Green Development and Digitalization” and “2026 BPIC Training Program on Smart Manufacturing and Innovation-Driven Development (Spring Session),” were successfully conducted, attracting 55 government officials, industry elites, and academics from 28 countries, and receiving widespread acclaim.

In October 2026, under the “Golden Egret” Scholarship, the BPIC will organize the “2026 BPIC Training Program on Smart Manufacturing and Innovation-Driven Development (Autumn Session)” in China. This program is designed to enhance collaborative capabilities in smart manufacturing among BRICS countries, other emerging markets, and developing countries, and to support the further advancement of “Greater BRICS Cooperation” through tangible and results-oriented measures.

I.        Host Institution
BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution Innovation Center

II.    Date & Locations

1. Training Period
October 19 – November 3, 2026 (Beijing Time, 16 days)

2. Training Locations
Xiamen, Changsha, and Chengdu

III.  Prospective Participants
The “Golden Egret” Scholarship is open to the following eligible candidates from BRICS countries, other emerging markets, and developing countries:

Ÿ   Officials (director level or above) from government departments responsible for overseeing industry, telecommunications, science and technology, artificial intelligence, and information technology;

Ÿ   Mid- to senior-level managers, engineers, or top technical experts from leading enterprises;

Ÿ   High-level researchers from universities or research institutions.

IV.  Training Format

The training will be conducted through lectures, discussion seminars, and on-site visits.

V.     Training Content and Schedule

1. Training Content

(1)     Lectures and interactive seminars will be held around topics such as “smart manufacturing” and “innovation-driven development,” covering topics including smart equipment, artificial intelligence applications and the Industrial Internet. It aims to analyze China’s practices in advancing smart and digital transformation while sharing relevant development experiences.

(2)     Participants will visit leading corporations such as King Long United Automotive Industry, SANY Heavy Industry, and Tongwei Solar for on-site learning, gaining insights into practical applications of smart manufacturing and industrial innovation to strengthen the capabilities in industrial policy design and science and technology innovation planning.

(3)     Participants will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich civilization through experiential activities in Xiamen, Changsha, and Chengdu, thereby fostering cultural and historical exchanges among participants.

2. Detailed Schedule
See attachment.

VI.   Application Guidelines

1. Application Method

(1)     Applicants are required to register and complete the scholarship application on the official website of the BRICS PartNIR Innovation Center. For detailed application procedures and the application portal, please refer to the BPIC official website. Applicants shall obtain approval from their supervising authorities before submitting the scholarship application online. Meanwhile, applicants are required to upload scanned copies of the passport's bio-data page and a recommendation letter with signature and official stamp (the template for the recommendation letter is available for download at the application portal on the official website).

(2)     Application Deadline: August 30, 2026 (Beijing Time)

(3)     Inquiries:
Tel: +86-592-5888621
+86-13799282936 (Rachel)
+86-18060925979 (Daniel)
+86-17750209720 (Hannah)

Email: personneltraining@bricspic.org

(4)     The submission of the Scholarship Application online constitutes a formal application. The BPIC will collect and review all applications, consult with relevant departments, and finalize the list of scholarship recipients. Upon finalization, the BPIC will send admission notices and invitation letters to the selected recipients via official email (personneltraining@bricspic.org).

2. Scholarship Support

The host institution will award a full scholarship to all participants in this training program, covering the following expenses: round-trip international airfare between the participant’s home country and the training location, accommodation at designated hotels during the program, meals, tuition and training-related fees, and intercity transportation as required by the program itinerary (the BPIC reserves the right of final interpretation). Participants are responsible for covering their own pre-departure expenses, including medical examination fees, visa application costs (such as visa fees, service charges, etc.), as well as any personal expenditures incurred during their stay in China. All participants are expected to actively cooperate with the arrangements made by the host institution.

3. Application Requirements

Applicants should:

(1)    Demonstrate a friendly attitude toward China, comply with Chinese laws and regulations, and uphold the BRICS spirit of “openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation”;

(2)    Possess a minimum of three years of professional work experience, with preference given to candidates from New Industrial Revolution-related sectors, such as industry, telecommunications, science and technology, artificial intelligence, and information technology;

(3)    Have a proven track record of professional excellence, characterized by a combination of innovative thinking, entrepreneurial drive, and a global outlook;

(4)    Be proficient in English across all key skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing;

(5)    Preferably be no more than 50 years of age;

(6)    Be in good health.

4. Training Certificates

Upon completion of the training, participants will receive an official certificate of honor for the “BRICS New Industry ‘Golden Egret’ Excellence Scholarship” issued by BPIC, as well as a completion certificate for the “2026 BPIC Training Program on Smart Manufacturing and Innovation-Driven Development (Autumn Session).”

BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution Innovation Center

July 31, 2026
Download Attachments:
Schedule (Autumn Session).pdf

South Africa
Source: iol.co.za

The group has evolved into an important global south voice. But long-term credibility will depend on something far more tangible: whether it can translate declarations into productive investment and industrial growth, argues the writer.

When leaders gather in India for the BRICS 2026 Summit this September, they will do so at a pivotal moment for the global economy. Trade patterns are shifting. Supply chains are being redesigned. Manufacturers are rethinking where they invest, produce and source critical goods. For countries willing to move decisively, this disruption presents an opportunity to reshape their industrial future. That is precisely where BRICS can distinguish itself.

The group has evolved into an important global south voice. But long-term credibility will depend on something far more tangible: whether it can translate declarations into productive investment and industrial growth. For the South African BRICS Business Council’s Manufacturing Working Group, that means focusing on a single priority: building a pipeline of high-impact, bankable manufacturing projects that can attract investment and deliver measurable economic outcomes.

For too long, industrial cooperation has centred on identifying opportunities. The next chapter must be about execution. Factories are not built on declarations. They are built on commercially viable projects backed by robust feasibility studies, sound governance, financial modelling and credible risk management. Without that preparation, even the most promising ideas struggle to attract capital. This is one of the biggest gaps across emerging markets. There is no shortage of manufacturing potential; there is a shortage of investment-ready projects that meet the expectations of development finance institutions, commercial lenders and private investors. 

Institution like the NDB (BRICS Bank), supported by blended finance and risk-sharing mechanisms, can play a catalytic role by reducing investment risk and crowding in private capital. Finance alone is not enough. Industrial growth is built on partnerships that combine capital with technology, skills development, logistics and market access. Manufacturing is uniquely positioned to bring all of these elements together. A successful manufacturing investment strengthens entire value chains. It creates demand for suppliers, develops technical capabilities, supports innovation and generates long-term employment across multiple industries.

Those ripple effects are exactly what emerging economies need as they seek more resilient and diversified growth. South Africa’s capabilities in advanced engineering, automotive production, mining equipment, chemicals, agro-processing and industrial technologies position us as more than a manufacturing economy. They position us as a strategic industrial partner within BRICS. South Africa also has an opportunity to become a manufacturing and export platform for companies looking to expand into African markets. As global manufacturers diversify their production footprint, partnerships with countries such as China can support greater localisation, technology transfer and industrial investment, particularly in sectors ranging from textiles and footwear to advanced manufacturing.
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Combined with South Africa’s logistics network, financial services expertise and access to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), this creates a compelling value proposition for export-oriented production. The aim is not to compete with fellow BRICS members. It is to build complementary industrial ecosystems where each economy contributes its comparative strengths while strengthening regional supply chains. 

I believe that there should be a shift beyond facilitating dialogue. We must identify strategic projects, connect investors with opportunities, foster cross-border partnerships and help create the confidence that unlocks long-term investment. Ultimately, success will not be measured by the number of communiqués issued after the Summit. It will be measured by factories commissioned, industrial parks expanded, technologies transferred, supply chains strengthened, exports increased and sustainable jobs created.

China
Source: bricsmagazine.com

UAE Launches First National Payment System, a Rival to Visa and Mastercard

The Central Bank of the UAE, through its subsidiary Al Etihad Payments, has begun rolling out the Jaywan card — the country’s first national payment system, set to sit alongside Visa and Mastercard. Eleven financial institutions have already signed on to issue the cards, including FAB, ADCB, Emirates Islamic, and Citi, while Network International has enabled payment acceptance across thousands of merchants nationwide. The project’s main goals are to reduce reliance on foreign payment networks, keep transaction data within the country, and lower card servicing costs for banks and merchants. The system is expected to eventually offer card acceptance in more than 100 countries worldwide.

Russia Signs Its First Law on Artificial Intelligence

Vladimir Putin has signed a law «On Supporting the Development of Artificial Intelligence Technologies» — Russia’s first regulatory act governing the development and use of large neural networks. The document introduces the concepts of «sovereign» models, which must be developed by Russian companies at every stage of their life cycle, and «national» models, which may incorporate foreign components and open-source solutions. The law permits the use of copyrighted works to train AI systems, provided access to them was obtained lawfully. In addition, owners of major online platforms will now be required to label content generated by AI.

Russia-China Trade Turnover Grew 26% in the First Half of 2026

Russia-China trade turnover reached $134.2 billion in the first half of 2026, up 26% year-on-year, according to data from China’s General Administration of Customs. Russian exports to China rose 23% to $73.6 billion, with oil accounting for nearly half of all shipments. Imports from China grew 28% to $60.6 billion, driven mainly by rising shipments of passenger cars and cross-border e-commerce goods. Russia’s trade surplus with China held at around $13 billion, while the structure of trade remained asymmetric — raw materials in exchange for finished industrial goods.

India to Issue Plastic Banknotes for the First Time

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has received government approval for a pilot issuance of plastic banknotes in the 10 and 20 rupee denominations — a total of 2 billion notes worth around 30 billion rupees. There are no plans to replace paper currency: the polymer notes will circulate alongside regular ones, with the trial meant to test their durability and counterfeit resistance. The smaller denominations were chosen because they wear out fastest, accounting for nearly a quarter of all banknotes in circulation. Polymer notes are already in use in Australia, Canada, the UK, and several other countries.

Guggenheim Abu Dhabi to Open December 11, 2026, 15 Years After Construction Began

The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, designed by Frank Gehry, will open to the public on December 11, 2026, on Saadiyat Island. Construction began in 2011 but was suspended for several years, resuming only in 2019. The museum will become the fourth and largest venue in the global Guggenheim network, with a total built area of 80,000 square meters and an architectural composition of ten sculptural cones up to 88 meters tall surrounding thirty galleries around a central atrium. The project completes the cultural district on Saadiyat Island, alongside the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Zayed National Museum, on which the emirate has spent billions of dollars.

Russia
Source: mid.ru

Question: Mr Lavrov, you are a person who certainly doesn’t need an introduction in our country. But I know what can surprise people. It’s your knowledge of the Singhalese language. Would you say hello in Singhalese?

Sergey Lavrov: (Speaks in Singhalese).

Question: It is the second time you have been included in the top five election candidates of the United Russia party. What does this mean for you? Of course, this implies collective efforts, but ultimate responsibility rests with one individual. You probably know who this person is. Does your nomination mean trust, appreciation or an additional burden? Or is this a reward?

Sergey Lavrov: It is certainly a sign of trust, there is no doubt about that. Yet the main thing for me is the decision of the party leadership to nominate me as one of the top five candidates, whom the United Russia congress has approved.

I have good relations with the heads of absolutely all factions and parties without exception. Considering our relations with all factions and parties represented in the State Duma, we would like them to help adopt decisions and laws that will consolidate our foreign policy so that it is maximally effective and enjoys broad-based support.

My nomination to the top five group by decision of the party leadership is also connected with the very difficult period for the country, which heavily depends on how we conduct the special military operation against those who have instigated a war against Russia. I am referring to our military personnel on the frontline and people on the home front, in all senses of the word.

On the other hand, foreign policy and diplomacy also play a major support role, considering that our Western counterparts are trying to deceive us, promising one thing and doing the opposite. But we have grown used or at least should have grown used to this. Yet every time our Russian soul makes us want to believe in the best.

But patience tends to run out. It is not surprising that soon after the beginning of the special military operation President Vladimir Putin said about our relations with the West that things will never return to how they were before February 2022.

Question: The West has just lost its mind. Nobody respects the agreements that have been effective for decades. They are demolishing everything. We know and feel this. What alternative can we offer the world in this situation?

Sergey Lavrov: To begin with, we must protect our legitimate interests. To be able to offer anything, we must win. The world is waiting with great interest, and some with bated breath, to see how this war will end, the war which the West has forced on us and in response to which President Putin announced the beginning of the special military operation. Not that we are living among unscrupulous people, but that’s life. To paraphrase Sergey Bodrov, everyone wants to know where power comes from.

You have said absolutely correctly that they don’t even try to hide, camouflage or disguise their actions. At first, they openly declared the goal of inflicting a “strategic defeat” on Russia. But as they watched the developments on the contact line, or more precisely on the frontline, they moved away from that rhetoric.

Today, when Zelensky is retreating in Donbass and other sectors of the frontline and has moved from desperation to openly terrorist activities, and they have seen that many of the long-range weapons he has can reach their targets, they have started describing this stage as a turning point. They say that it takes the Ukrainian character to defeat Russia, the “aggressor” who would move into Europe after seizing Ukraine. And so, they have revived the slogan of Russia’s “strategic defeat.” They are also talking about “decolonising” Russia, which actually means the partition of our country. We see the revival of hopes which the West had during the collapse of the Soviet Union, when separatist movements took shape in the Russian Far East and the Urals, not to mention the Caucasus. They entertained the hope that the country would fall apart and they would pick up the broken pieces. I think they even started dividing them between themselves.

Question: We were one step from that. The so-called “Urals Republic” even issued the “Ural franc.”

Sergey Lavrov: Yes, everything was on the brink.

That Boris Yeltsin had the courage to relinquish power prematurely and turn it over to the only individual who could save Russia at that time is a historic turning point that shows that Russia is touched by God. When worse comes to worst, we receive help from above.

Today, they are again talking about “strategic defeat” and actively supporting our relocatees, who organise various anti-Russian societies in Europe and collect funds for their “underground struggle” for splitting Russia. They no longer make secret of this.

Our federal channels talk about everything the West is planning. Everyone should probably watch these programmes to understand that this is no laughing matter. President Putin openly points this out. The entire “civilised world,” as they call themselves, has turned on us.
Question: Until 2007, before Putin’s Munich speech, they loved us – even if with a suffocating embrace. At least now things are more straightforward.

Sergey Lavrov: They thought they had us in their pocket.

When President Vladimir Putin came to power, he was entirely open to an equal strategic partnership with the West. Yet now our former allies – the Anglo-Saxons, to be precise – are waging war against us through Ukraine with varying degrees of ferocity: London more so, Washington somewhat less so. They are pumping Ukraine with the most up-to-date weaponry and announcing that they will produce new, more deadly, high-tech anti-missile systems specifically for Kiev. This has never happened before.

We launched our special military operation at a time when society was calm, comfortable and broadly satisfied with its standard of living.

And the fact is, that did not suit the West. They did not want society to be calm; they wanted to incite it against the authorities, plotting provocations. They cannot compete fairly. They are afraid of fair competition across the board.

Hence the sanctions – designed to maintain positions that are slipping away irretrievably after five centuries of Western dominance.

So, let me reiterate the state of our society. This matters to me as a citizen and as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is implementing the foreign policy of the President of Russia – a policy that should reflect public sentiment. Of course, they want to incite unrest here. President Putin recently mentioned this briefly. We are making daily progress on the front lines – not as quickly as we would like, but we are sparing lives. Meanwhile, the other side is trying to offset their battlefield setbacks by resorting to terrorist attacks, aiming to shatter the everyday life people have known. Drone attacks are already becoming a palpable reality in Moscow and St Petersburg, and people in the border regions are experiencing the full severity of the situation on the ground. Frankly, I am very proud that the people perceive this correctly – as history and those who defeated Nazism have dictated. Especially since we are now fighting the direct followers and descendants of those very Nazis. The same people. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz openly declares that they will once again be dominant in Europe. If you are that outspoken, be prepared.

Question: You said that before offering the world an alternative international order, we must secure our national interests, and to do that, we must win. What are our national interests on the international stage?

Sergey Lavrov: It is that we be an independent state – an independent civilisation. That our borders be reliably secured. That no one even thinks about lecturing us on how to organise our lives within Russia. And that all the peoples of the Russian Federation continue to enjoy the rights guaranteed by the Constitution: to education, to the preservation of their culture, traditions and religious beliefs.
As such, Russia will be interested in cooperating on an equal footing with the other major centres of power that are emerging – China and India. These major players will, of course, stand with us in defence of justice, in the hope that the West – and Europe in particular – will one day come to its senses and be ready to integrate into new systems of relations on an equal and honest basis. It is not yet ready for this. The United States is also completely unprepared.

And while we wait, new centres of power are forming their own network structures. One of these is BRICS, which brings together the leading economies of the global majority and resolves issues very differently from NATO, where America commands and everyone else obsequiously tries to appease the hegemon. And this is certainly not the European Union, where the Brussels bureaucracy has usurped the rights of national governments.

No one in BRICS, the SCO, the EAEU, the CIS or the CSTO can point to a single example of Russia, China – if we are talking about the SCO and BRICS – or anyone else making demands. These are always frank, mutually respectful negotiations, with an eye to compromise.

Question: Thirty-five thousand sanctions. This is perhaps a record in the history of humanity and ever since there are states. How have we been able to withstand this? What have been the enabling factors for us?

Sergey Lavrov: Of course, our forefathers who built this country as it is today. We have a country of abundant resources, and the largest country in the world, with access to seas and oceans, which allows us to develop trade, enhance security, including thanks to our Navy. Obviously, industrialisation has played its part. It that started back in the days of the Russian Empire. Much has been said on this topic lately. The construction of the railways that connected the entire country started during those times. As did the foundation of our ferrous metal industry. Also, the industrialisation during the Soviet times played a big role, when the country made great strides in just a decade, which is a very short period of time, 15 years before the Great Patriotic War. That helped us avert a disaster.

However, what really sets us apart as a nation is something that the West does not have. Our civilisation respects those who created it, built cities and defeated enemies.

Our history knows the times of Alexander Gorchakov who, after we were defeated in the Crimean War – there is no reason to elaborate on the reasons why we lost this war – said: “Russia is not angry. Russia is gaining focus.” Today, there is no place for anger either. Being angry or losing the nerve would be most detrimental. We must focus. A sense of wrath would be fitting. Healthy anger instead of temper.

Wrath can help us move forward at a faster pace, toward a technological breakthrough, as we have been hearing lately from all corners. Wrath can drive commitment. You can get angry at yourself when you want to achieve something faster. We need the same sense of positive anger at the external front. No drama but a simple internal conclusion: verify. Trust will come later but first, verify. Most importantly, stick to your guns.

Our Turkish neighbours have been saying that they are willing to help on Ukraine again. And yet, at the same time they go and sign the NATO documents stating that the Kiev regime’s territorial integrity must be restored. There have been other proposals: the current US administration is saying once again that, as soon as they sort it out with Iran, they will be helping us again. We have an army and a fleet, now also aerospace forces – which have existed for quite some time, as well as UAV forces.
We also have people. When they say something like “let’s talk it over, keep it the way it is – freeze at the contact line and then think about ways of achieving a compromise,” first of all, we feel there is historical continuity, our historical identity and our national, multinational pride.

The West is telling us now that they will take time to think about when to resume the talks with us, but that would be talks with Europe, America, Zelensky and President Putin at the same table. In their opinion, a truce, a ceasefire should come first. After that the West would deploy a multilateral force, led by France and the UK, and only after they would be willing to sit down and talk. What does this mean? It amounts to an ultimatum. If we freeze along the contact line, the Nazi regime will stay. They will not recognise any territories that held referendums.

But our people are unique in a way that Vladimir Mayakovsky once described in his poem Broadway: “Soviet people have a special pride in them.” Not because this pride started in Soviet people but because it always existed in Russians. And this pride remains.

Question: What were you like in your childhood yard? You spoke about feeling wrath, but in a positive way. Did you prefer to fight it out in the street or used diplomatic means? Russians have a principle that goes like this: if a fight is inevitable, be the first to punch. We know whose principle it is. What is yours?

Sergey Lavrov: I grew up in a rural area, in the town of Noginsk, previously called Bogorodsk. Today, I am paying a lot of attention to working with Moscow Region officials and my friend, Governor of the Moscow Region Andrey Vorobyov, to give Noginsk its original name, Bogorodsk. Certain toponymic changes have been made but the town itself is still called Noginsk. My neighbourhood was essentially a village. To the left of the railway station, there was a more urban setting, and to the right, there were two rows of wooden rural houses with all the amenities where they usually are in a village. Truth be told, as boys, we would run over to the freight trains to look what they were carrying. If there were watermelons, we would mess around a little.

Question: We know a great deal about you. However, we have never asked you about your grandparents. What kind of people were they? Whose genes, abilities, and talents course through your veins?

Sergey Lavrov: My mother and father divorced when I was only a few months old. Both graduated from the Institute of Foreign Trade, which is now part of MGIMO University. Indeed, that is the reason my mother encouraged me to enrol in MGIMO, and she did so with remarkable success. Following their posting, my parents were sent to work at a customs office in Brest.

As fate would have it, after that I stayed with my mother all the time. My grandmother lived in Noginsk, where she served as chief nurse. My grandfather was the station master at Noginsk railway station. During the war, he was in charge of dispatching troop trains to the front. His two brothers served on the frontline, and both returned.

My grandfather passed away prematurely, at a relatively young age – he was 67. My grandmother lived a longer life and later moved in with us in Moscow. I cherished them dearly. They were my real friends – always prepared to shield me when they sensed I had done something that might displease my mother, as grandparents are inclined to do.

Roots do matter, even if this may not always be apparent. We rarely think about the fact that there were so many generations before us. That is not the crux. The crux is that, today, you live in their stead. Just as we are now fighting for those who vanquished the Germans alongside the rest of Europe.

Question: You go rafting, do you not? Do you still practice this sport?

Sergey Lavrov: It was around 1984–1985 when my friends and I decided to spend our vacations in the wild. One of our friends, who was a year my senior at MGIMO, hailed from Ufa. He invited us, along with another friend, to spend a week in Ufa during the summer, to walk along the river and go fishing. We visited the river; there are lakes there as well. We took a small boat, went for a trip, and fished on the Belaya River. The current was barely perceptible – calm and placid. So, we decided to return the following year. We assembled a party of five. The next destination was the Biya River, this time in the Altai. The river originates from Lake Teletskoye. However, prior to travelling there, we discovered that several rivers flow into Lake Teletskoye, including Chulyshman River with its rapid flow.

We started exploring the possible routes. Ultimately, we agreed upon a plan. From Lake Teletskoye, we proceeded twenty kilometres upstream along a very challenging river. We were literally discharged into the lake. Remarkably, we all managed to remain on the rafts and avoided capsizing. A motorboat towed us across Lake Teletskoye, after which we rafted down the Biya River.

Subsequently, we reached Katun River for the first time, traversing it from source to mouth.
First, we navigated the middle reaches – the very site of the World Rafting Cup. Rapids there are rated approximately 4 to 4.5, with certain sections attaining Category 5. Once, we rafted from the very base of Mount Belukha. It was an exceptionally interesting route. The first day must be spent on the plateau; everything progresses at a snail’s pace. Then, it suddenly plunges. Along that stretch, there are five extraordinarily difficult rapids. This instantly gives you an adrenaline rushe.

Question: Have you ever capsized?

Sergey Lavrov: My raft did not. We travelled on two rafts. My colleagues capsized on a couple of occasions. However, we managed to retrieve them.

We spent nearly two decades on the Katun. Not in winters, of course – but in summers. We have many friends there. It is a marvellous region.

Question: So, in the evening you moor by the shore, unload the raft, light a fire, and pitch a tent. And then – the guitar and a song?

Sergey Lavrov: The guitar and a song, indeed.

Question: How many songs do you play on the guitar, approximately? I imagine you have not kept count.

Sergey Lavrov: I am particularly fond of Vladimir Vysotsky and Bulat Okudzhava.

Question: So, you play and sing?

Sergey Lavrov: Yes.

Question: Will we ever have the opportunity to hear you? We must do so, without fail.

Sergey Lavrov: I will avail myself of your platform within the media space. Without any fees whatsoever, should anyone be interested. I accept your proposal.

Question: Fascinating. We are most eager to hear you.

We are interested in every aspect. For journalists, it is not merely about observing you but also about listening in, particularly when you believe the microphone is switched off.

Had you registered the trademark “morons, as one word,” you would undoubtedly be a wealthy man. Virtually all my colleagues wore that T-shirt, myself included. It sold in print runs of several thousand copies. Is that inherent in your character? Or does it simply slip out, depending on the situation?

Sergey Lavrov: It does slip out. We are all human, after all.

Question: Yet your colleagues say that you never indulge in such language at work.

Sergey Lavrov: Liars. I will hold that against them. That is, of course, a hypocritical assertion. When something not only disappoints but also when someone acts in a manner that is unexpectedly wrong, an angry word may well slip out. As for the trademark, it never crossed my mind.

Incidentally, after Alaska, where I appeared in a USSR sweater, people telephoned my assistants to express their gratitude. They said they were willing to knit such sweaters for my friends.

You see, when something resonates with people… There have been many examples of this kind lately. They never truly vanished. There has been a distinct resurgence of nostalgia for the USSR.
The Soviet Union – it is, in essence, about our origins. People do not simply yearn for a prosperous, comfortable existence. There is a profound sense of belonging to what one’s ancestors accomplished under the most arduous conditions. They built this country. They lifted it out of poverty. They established the conditions for the coexistence of hundreds of languages.

When people don these sweaters, they experience that… Even those who did not live in the Soviet Union – their parents and grandparents recounted its history to them. Indeed, as Vladimir Putin said: “He who does not miss the Soviet Union has no heart, and he who wants to bring it back has no head.” As for the heart, that sentiment endures. And as for the head – thank God, in the present circumstances, Russia possesses a head, and it is a sober one.

Question: You have already mentioned that our country, our Motherland, has God’s blessing and protection. Are you a person of faith?

Sergey Lavrov: I do believe in God. It was my grandmother who secretly baptised me without telling my mother. My mother was a communist. She decided to get baptised at a relatively advanced age after the Soviet Union ceased to exist.

I got baptised at my grandmother’s initiative in Noginsk. There is still a church standing there on the Moskva River bank. I hope that it remains open. I still have the cross that I received back then. These were the good times.

Question: Have you ever faced a situation when the only way to explain it was to treat it as a miracle, a divine intervention?

Sergey Lavrov: Yes, probably. There are stories that I would have preferred to forget.

But it did happen. We were on a canoe trip down the Katun River. At a certain point, we got out of the boats, got horses and took them to the mountains. I have been practicing horse-ridding since my university years, so I had some skills, which was not the case for others. All of a sudden, when we were riding back from the mountain, the horses broke into a gallop. We were squeezed between a mountain to the right and a deep abyss on the left. And one of my friends lost control of his horse. He had every chance of knocking me down. The fact that I was able to avoid this was a true miracle.
As for political upheavals, I would probably refer to the putsch. Going back to where we started, the thinking at the time consisted of saying: “Well, Russia is a toothless, obedient nation, but it must also do everything we tell her.” But then it turned out that Russia was not obedient and that it had its own sense of pride, and it happened even before the 2007 Munich Speech, which you have recalled, when Vladimir Putin offered a very clear explanation by setting forth his case in a very sincere and honest manner in the context of a narrative filled with hypocrisy. There were other situations before that, but we still hoped that the West would come to its senses and that these were just transitory reflexes that it had to suppress.

Take the Baltic states. When I became minister in 2004, they started drawing the Baltic states into NATO’s new expansion wave. President Vladimir Putin asked them why they were doing it, since we had an agreement that they would not. They answered by alleging that we had to understand that what they remembered from being part of the Soviet Union was that they were occupied and subjugated, and that they still lived with that fear, so making them part of NATO and the European Union would offer them comfort.

But did it bring them any comfort? They have assumed the role of the main striking forces targeting us. We know what these Estonian hotheads are worth. Lithuania and Latvia have recently said that they could cancel the ban on deploying nuclear weapons on their territory.

This is to say that we can only rely on ourselves, just as our President has said many times. What is happening today has led to dire consequences. But let me reiterate that we are finishing the job started by our grandfathers and their fathers who defeated Nazism. But our former allies did not let Nazism perish and revived it. There were Wehrmacht generals who settled in the West. Today, the effort to revive Nazism is unfolding in the open. Who would have thought that this could happen? No one is even trying to hide it. This is to say that we have no other options if we want to preserve our Russian civilisation.

Question: And the final question. What do the words Motherland, Russia and life mean for you? What matters the most?

Sergey Lavrov: Russia is life, and life is Russia.

Russia
Source: brics-plus-analytics.org

Africa’s regional integration framework: a model for the Global South?

The future contours of the evolving BRICS architecture have thus far been viewed largely through the prism of ad hoc decisions taken in the BRICS summits and reflected in the summit’s final declarations. But for the systemic and long-term changes that are decided upon in BRICS on issues such as institutionalization and policy continuity there may be a need to step back and take a broader view of the trends in the main regions of the Global South. What we see in this respect is that of these regions that include Africa, Latin America and Asia, it is Africa’s regional integration framework that offers the most credible and comprehensive model of the path forward for the BRICS+ bloc. If the future evolution of BRICS is to be based at least in part on the best practices developed at the regional level of the Global South, Africa’s model of institutionalization, policy continuity as well as outreach may be a crucial reference point for the BRICS+ group as well as for other regions and regional platforms of emerging market economies.

In our policy papers of the past several years as well as earlier works that date back to 2017, the key priority advanced for the BRICS+ bloc was the creation of cooperative platforms that would include[1]:

• A platform for the regional integration arrangements of the Global South, of which BRICS+ economies are members
• A platform for the regional development banks of BRICS+ economies
• A platform for the regional financing arrangements (RFAs)
• A platform for the sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) of BRICS+ economies

In addition to these mechanisms of economic cooperation, we recently called for the greater institutionalization of the BRICS group via exploring such options as:

– A headquarters and a Secretariat for BRICS+
– A Troika mechanism (modelled on the G20 Troika) that would bring together the current, the past year’s and the next year’s presidency in the group, contributing to greater policy continuity.
The degree to which these features are incorporated into the regional/continental platforms of the Global South varies significantly, with notable progress being attained in some of the regions in the course of the past decade.

Of the three regions of the developing world, Asia is the most represented in the core membership of the BRICS bloc as well as its partnership belt (6 out of 10 core members). At the same time, it is also one of the less institutionalized regions in terms of either a pan-continental platform for regional development institutions or the creation of pan-continental regional arrangements with headquarters and a Secretariat. Granted, Asia does harbor some of the most successful regional arrangements such as ASEAN and with respect to RFAs there is the Chiang-Mai initiative that brings together the ASEAN+3 economies. The AIIB has also launched coordination platforms for Asia’s regional institutions in the sphere of project financing. Nonetheless, there is not yet sufficient scale in Asia’s pan-continental integration efforts, including with respect to advancing greater coordination among Asia’s regional integration arrangements and their development institutions.

The pan-continental integration framework is somewhat more advanced in Latin America with platforms such as CELAC as well as development institutions such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). In terms of RFAs, there is the Latin American Reserve Fund (FLAR), though its membership does not cover the majority of the region’s economies. Overall, the scale of the coordination and platform-building in Latin America is not yet reaching consistently continental scale, which is particularly relevant to the coordination among the regional integration arrangements.     

Compared to other parts of the developing world, the African continent arguably stands out as the most advanced in the Global South in terms of the development of cooperative platforms for regional integration arrangements and the coordination of regional development institutions. In the sphere of institutional development, the African Union and its Secretariat with headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ensures continuous governance and the continent’s representation on the international arena. The Troika mechanism that operates similarly to the G20 Troika ensures greater continuity in the handover of policy priorities from one presidency to the next, with the Troika mechanism also increasingly used by Africa to represent the bloc on the international stage and in its outreach to the international community.

In terms of the platform for regional integration arrangements, Africa was one of the front-runners in developing a framework for the “integration of integrations”, namely a platform for the regional integration arrangements of the continent, bringing together the following Regional Economic Communities (RECs): Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Community of Sahel–Saharan States (CEN–SAD), East African Community (EAC), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Southern African Development Community (SADC)[2].

As regards the development institutions, Africa has introduced a common platform for regional development banks, namely the Alliance for African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI) – this platform launched in 2024 in Addis Ababa, includes such regional development banks from Africa as the Trade and Development Bank (TDB), the West African Development Bank (BOAD), and the East African Development Bank (EADB)[3]. The aim of the platform is to consolidate resources to finance priority development projects, including those pertaining to Africa’s Agenda 2063[4].

Africa was also among the first to pioneer continental platforms for sovereign wealth funds such as the African Sovereign Investors Forum (ASIF) – this is “a pan-African forum established in June 2022 in Rabat, Morocco, brings together African sovereign investors to promote cooperation, knowledge exchange, and coordinated capital deployment in support of Africa’s structural transformation” [5]. The platform currently includes 17 member institutions and operates the ASIF Investment Platform (ASIF IP) to mobilize long-term capital across the African continent. The creation of such a platform builds on an emphatic trend of a rising number of SWFs in the continent – according to the Sovereign Wealth Funds Institute (SWFI), “there are 32 national and subnational sovereign wealth funds in Africa (with $600 billion in assets under management), nearly half of which were established between 2010 and 2022”^[6]. Importantly, Africa is seeking to bring development platforms such as ASIF and regional development banks towards closer coordination in financing the continent’s development – this has been recently undertaken via advancing the partnership between the African Development Bank and ASIF in mobilizing capital for new projects and the implementation of the New African Financial Architecture for Development (NAFAD)[7].

With respect to the regional financing arrangements (RFAs), there is ongoing work directed at launching the operations of the African Monetary Fund (AMF) – the respective treaty was signed in 2014, yet the ratification process has stalled since then[8]. The one RFA that is currently in operation with African countries’ participation is the Arab Monetary Fund established in 1976 and based in Abu Dhabi. Of the 22 members of this RFA 10 members include developing economies from North and East African nations – Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan, and Tunisia. Once the African Monetary Fund is launched and fully operational, it may work together with other RFAs in the continent as well as the BRICS CRA.

Overall, the future model of institutionalization and decision-making for BRICS may be based on the best practices of the Global South across its three main regions – Africa, Latin America and Asia. The “African model” or integration framework is not the only one to be explored in the BRICS context, with Asia and Latin America potentially providing their valuable contributions. Furthermore, Africa’s regional projects have not always progressed uniformly and some have stalled – as was the case with the approval of the launching of the AMF facility. At the same time, thus far Africa offers the most complete set of possible institutional solutions, including platforms for regional development banks, regional integration arrangements and sovereign wealth funds, a headquarters and a Secretariat as well as a Troika mechanism that provides for policy continuity from one presidency to the next. All these hallmarks of Africa’s model of regional integration may serve as important reference points for the current debate within BRICS on the institutionalization and policy continuity – Africa’s members in the BRICS core may advance this “African model” for BRICS institutionalization during their upcoming presidencies in the bloc[9].

[1] https://valdaiclub.com/a/highlights/the-mechanics-of-brics-a-tentative-blueprint/
[2] https://brics-plus-analytics.org/what-the-brics-could-learn-from-the-african-union/
[3] https://www.afreximbank.com/african-multilateral-financial-institutions-forge-historic-strategic-alliance-to-serve-as-catalyst-for-sustainable-economic-development-and-financial-self-reliance-in-africa/
[4] https://africacenter.org/spotlight/progress-agenda-2063/
[5] https://asif2026luanda.com/
[6] https://africa-news-agency.com/african-sovereign-wealth-funds-the-new-strategic-weapon-of-economic-sovereignty/
[7] https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/african-development-bank-and-african-sovereign-wealth-fund-forum-deepen-partnership-mobilise-african-capital-infrastructure-95423
[8] https://au.int/sites/default/files/treaties/36417-treaty-0046_-_protocol_on_the_establishment_of_the_african_monetary_fund_e.pdf
[9] https://brics-plus-analytics.org/africa-within-the-expanded-brics/

Yaroslav Lissovolik, Founder, BRICS+ Analytics
Image by boxzero via Pixabay

India
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The 1 and 2 BRICS Culture Working Group (CWG) Meetings held under India's BRICS Presidency on 29-30 April, 2026 and 5-6 June, 2026 respectively deliberated on Creative Economy and People to People cooperation, copyright and ethical AI in creative Economy, Strategies for Cultural Heritage Protection and return of Cultural Property etc.

The discussions focused on safeguarding the rights and interests of creators, artists and cultural practitioners in the evolving digital environment, including issues relating to copyright protection, fair remuneration, ethical and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence, strengthening intellectual property frameworks etc. among BRICS Member States.

The BRICS Member States deliberated on Cultural Heritage Protection and Return of Cultural Property as one of the priority areas. The discussions emphasized strengthening cooperation through continued dialogue, exchange of experiences and best practices, coordinated efforts to combat illicit trafficking of cultural property etc. Member States also supported continued engagement on issues relating to the return and restitution of cultural property in accordance with their respective national legal and institutional frameworks.

The recommendations and deliberations emerged from the 2nd BRICS Culture Working Group Meeting held at Varanasi have been shared with BRICS member states.

This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today

India
Source: d2jiw2zrmmyqt8.cloudfront.net

The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), under the aegis of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, will host the BRICS WAVES Bazaar on 6–7 August 2026 in Mumbai. Conceived as a premier international marketplace for the creative economy, the Bazaar will bring together over 500 delegates from BRICS member and partner countries, including India, representing governments, industry bodies, creators, producers, investors, broadcasters, OTT platforms, technology companies, startups, cultural institutions, and creative enterprises.

The BRICS WAVES Bazaar aims to strengthen collaboration among BRICS member and partner countries by creating opportunities for dialogue, business engagement, knowledge exchange, and cross-border partnerships across the audiovisual and creative industries.

“Under India’s BRICS presidency, we will work to define BRICS in a new form. BRICS will mean Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability. Just as, during our G-20 chairmanship, we gave priority to the issues of the Global South in the agenda, similarly during our chairmanship of BRICS, we will take this forum forward in the spirit of people-centricity and humanity first,” Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India had said while assuming India’s Presidency of BRICS.

In tune with that vision, this event seeks to promote deeper cooperation in the creative economy while fostering innovation, investment, and cultural exchange among participating nations.

Over two days, the Bazaar will feature a comprehensive programme of high-level conferences, keynote addresses, panel discussions, business networking sessions, and curated Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings. Discussions will focus on key themes shaping the future of the creative economy, including international co-production, content financing, digital transformation, intellectual property, women-led entrepreneurship, emerging technologies, public policy, and South-South collaboration.

A major attraction of the event will be the Creators’ Hub, an exhibition space showcasing creative enterprises, startups, technology providers, studios, service companies, and industry organisations. Through exhibition stalls and product showcases, the Creators’ Hub will provide delegates with opportunities to discover innovative solutions, explore new business prospects, and build international partnerships across the creative value chain.

Complementing it will be curated Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings, carefully designed to connect producers, studios, broadcasters, OTT platforms, start-ups, investors, buyers, distributors, government agencies, and creative businesses. These structured meetings will facilitate discussions on co-production, content acquisition, technology partnerships, market access, investment, and other collaborative opportunities, strengthening commercial and institutional ties among participating countries.

The BRICS WAVES Bazaar reflects India’s commitment to positioning the creative economy as a key driver of innovation, entrepreneurship, employment, and economic growth. By bringing together policymakers and industry stakeholders on a common platform, the Bazaar seeks to catalyse long-term partnerships and unlock new opportunities for trade, investment, and cultural collaboration across BRICS member and partner countries.

The event is expected to witness participation from government agencies, film commissions, production companies, broadcasters, streaming platforms, technology companies, cultural organisations, startups, investors, creative entrepreneurs, and international industry leaders, making it one of the largest international creative economy gatherings under the BRICS framework.

India
Source: d2jiw2zrmmyqt8.cloudfront.net

Meeting of Heads of National Statistical Offices of BRICS Countries "Quality Statistics as Driver of Change" Posted On: 02 AUG 2026 3:58PM by PIB Delhi

The meeting of Heads of National Statistical Offices (NSO) of BRICS Countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)) is scheduled to be held under the Chairship of India from 03 to 04 August 2026, at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.

India's BRICS Chairship in 2026 is guided by the overarching theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability (BRICS)." Within the BRICS Statistics track, India has adopted the theme "Quality Statistics as Driver of Change", reflecting an unwavering commitment to data quality, innovation, effective dissemination, and people-centric statistical systems that are responsive to rapid technological advancements, the growing demand for high-frequency and granular data, and the increasing reliance on official statistics to support evidence-based, sustainable, and inclusive development.

Modern BRICS policymaking relies on robust statistics to track development, guide decisions, and build mutual understanding. Since 2010, member countries have published the Joint Statistical Publication (JSP) and Snapshot BRICS JSP (introduced in 2020) to offer accessible, harmonized data. Over time, BRICS statistical cooperation has evolved from basic data collection into deeper alignment on data standards, harmonization, and innovation for policymakers, researchers, and the public. Two main events on statistical matters are held every year along with side events:

(i) Technical Meeting of NSOs
(ii) Meeting of Heads of NSOs

The Technical Meeting was held during 16 April-17 April, 2026 primarily to facilitate discussions on the chapters of the BRICS JSP and Snapshot BRICS JSP, The discussions were focussed on developing a mutually agreed framework for the JSP and Snapshot 2026, as well as determining the allocation of responsibilities and establishing timelines for contributions from each National Statistical Office (NSO).

The BRICS Statistics Track aims to deliver outcomes under the following priority areas:

• Strengthening Core BRICS Statistical Products (JSP & Snapshot)
• Innovation and Reform in National Statistical Systems
• Data Dissemination and Accessibility
• Strengthening Macroeconomic and Sectoral Statistics

The Meeting of Heads of National Statistical Offices of BRICS Countries is expected to be attended by representatives from Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and UAE and with the objective to further strengthen cooperation in the areas of dissemination of statistics through BRICS JSP, innovation in statistical systems, and the exchange of knowledge and best practices.

Two half-day side events with participation from National Statistical Offices of BRICS Countries, policymakers, academia, think tanks, civil society organizations and technical experts, are also being organized alongside the BRICS Heads of National Statistical Offices (NSOs) Meeting on the following themes:

• Unlocking the Potential of Administrative Data 03 August 2026)
• Al Readiness in the Evolving Data Ecosystem 04 August 2026)

India
Source: d2jiw2zrmmyqt8.cloudfront.net

Meetings held under India's BRICS Presidency on 29-30 April, 2026 and 5-6 June, 2026 respectively deliberated on Creative Economy and People to People cooperation, copyright and ethical AI in creative Economy, Strategies for Cultural Heritage Protection and return of Cultural Property etc. The discussions focused on safeguarding the rights and interests of creators, artists and cultural practitioners in the evolving digital environment, including issues relating to copyright protection, fair remuneration, ethical and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence, strengthening intellectual property frameworks etc. among BRICS Member States.

The BRICS Member States deliberated on Cultural Heritage Protection and Return of Cultural Property as one of the priority areas. The discussions emphasized strengthening cooperation through continued dialogue, exchange of experiences and best practices, coordinated efforts to combat illicit trafficking of cultural property etc. Member States also supported continued engagement on issues relating to the return and restitution of cultural property in accordance with their respective national legal and institutional frameworks.

The recommendations and deliberations emerged from the 2nd BRICS Culture Working Group Meeting held at Varanasi have been shared with BRICS member states.

This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today

India
Source: d2jiw2zrmmyqt8.cloudfront.net

Under India's BRICS Chairship 2026, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, successfully hosted the BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in New Delhi on 24 July 2026. The Meeting was chaired by Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai, and attended by Ministers and Heads of Delegation from BRICS Member Countries, reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening disaster resilience through enhanced cooperation, innovation and sustainable development.

The Meeting marked a significant milestone in the evolution of BRICS cooperation on disaster risk reduction and concluded with the unanimous adoption of the BRICS Joint Statement on Disaster Risk Reduction, reaffirming the collective commitment of Member Countries to accelerate implementation of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Work Plan (2025–2028) and deepen cooperation for building resilient societies.

Addressing the Ministerial Meeting, Shri Nityanand Rai stated that the evolution of BRICS cooperation —from the Udaipur Declaration (2016) to the Kazan Declaration (2024) and the establishment of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Group (DRRG)—reflects the growing recognition that disaster risk reduction is central to sustainable development, climate resilience and human security. He noted that under India's BRICS Chairship, the Group has adopted a practical and action-oriented approach under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability," and appreciated Brazil for elevating the DRR Group to the Ministerial level.

Highlighting India's leadership in disaster risk reduction, the Minister said that India's people-centric approach is guided by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's Ten-Point Agenda for Disaster Risk Reduction. He emphasized India's five strategic priorities under its Chairship to accelerate implementation of the BRICS DRR Work Plan (2025–2028) and called upon Member Countries to strengthen cooperation in science and technology, early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, naturebased solutions and community resilience to make disaster risk reduction an integral part of sustainable development.

The Ministerial Meeting featured a High-Level Policy Dialogue on "Advancing Climate-Smart and Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure Systems: Partnerships, Innovation and Financing for Resilient Development," where Ministers deliberated on resilient infrastructure, innovative financing, emerging technologies and international partnerships to address increasing disaster and climate risks.

A Ministerial Roundtable on "Accelerating Implementation of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Work Plan (2025–2028)" enabled Member Countries to exchange experiences and identify practical pathways for strengthening institutional cooperation, capacity building, knowledge sharing and implementation of the agreed priorities.

As part of India's Chairship, six flagship knowledge products were launched to support evidence-based policymaking, institutional strengthening, capacity building and practical implementation of disaster risk reduction initiatives across BRICS Member Countries.

As a way forward, the Ministers emphasized strengthening practical and action-oriented cooperation through regular technical exchanges, joint projects, simulation exercises, technical expert exchanges and annual thematic workstreams to promote knowledge sharing, innovation and measurable outcomes in disaster resilience.

The successful conclusion of the 3rd BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction reinforces BRICS' collective commitment to advancing resilient, inclusive and sustainable development through strengthened international cooperation on disaster risk reduction.

India
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NHA Convenes BRICS Dialogue on Strengthening Continuum of Care Through Digital Health and Responsible AI

Continuity of Care is the True Measure of Whether Digital Health and AI are Serving Citizens: Union Health Secretary

Over 940 million ABHA IDs and 1 billion Linked Digital Health Records Power India's Digital Health Ecosystem: Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava

Panel Discusses Digital Public Infrastructure and AI as Key Enablers of Connected, Patient-Centric Healthcare Across BRICS Posted On: 24 JUL 2026 3:00PM by PIB Delhi

As part of the 16th BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting, a side event titled "From Digital Health Records to AI-Enabled Healthcare: Strengthening the Continuum of Care Through Interoperable Data Infrastructure and Responsible Artificial Intelligence" was organised today, by National Health Authority, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, bringing together policymakers, technical experts and health leaders from BRICS countries to deliberate on the transformative role of digital health infrastructure and responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) in delivering seamless, patient-centric healthcare.

The dialogue was anchored in the findings of the BRICS Health Track Technical Working Group 4 (TWG-4) Compendium on Continuum of Care, which underscores the importance of coordinated and uninterrupted health service delivery across different levels of care, healthcare providers and BRICS member states. The Compendium highlights that while continuity of care remains a shared policy objective, its effective implementation is often constrained by the lack of interoperable digital health infrastructure capable of supporting seamless exchange of health information across the patient care journey.

In her keynote address, Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava said that the discussions held over the past two days had reflected the collective commitment of BRICS countries to strengthening resilient, equitable and future-ready health systems. She noted that health cooperation remains one of the strongest pillars of the BRICS partnership, founded on mutual learning, shared innovation and a common commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Emphasising that continuity of care lies at the heart of every health system, she said the fundamental challenge before all countries is to ensure that a citizen's healthcare journey—from prevention and diagnosis to treatment, rehabilitation and long-term follow-up—remains connected rather than fragmented across institutions, providers and geographies. She observed that continuity of care is the true measure of whether digital health and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are delivering meaningful benefits to citizens.

The Union Health Secretary stated that while no country can build the future of AI-enabled healthcare in isolation, BRICS nations share common challenges, including large and diverse populations, significant rural-urban disparities, a growing burden of chronic and non-communicable diseases, and stretched health workforces. These challenges, she said, make interoperable digital health infrastructure and responsible AI essential tools for strengthening integrated and people-centric healthcare delivery.

Highlighting the importance of interoperable digital health records, she said that a person's health journey spans multiple providers and institutions, making it imperative that health information travels securely and seamlessly with the individual. Built on interoperability, open standards and robust governance, digital health records help bridge information gaps between healthcare providers, improve clinical decision-making, reduce duplication of services, strengthen referrals and follow-up, and preserve the continuity of care.

Speaking on the role of AI, Smt. Srivastava said that responsible AI is already strengthening healthcare delivery by identifying patients at risk of dropping out of chronic disease management programmes, supporting early interventions, and providing clinical decision support to frontline and community health workers in remote and underserved areas. However, she emphasised that AI is only as effective as the quality of the digital public infrastructure on which it is built, and that trusted, interoperable and citizencentric digital health systems must remain the foundation of AI-enabled healthcare.

Sharing India's experience, the Union Health Secretary highlighted the progress made under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) in creating a federated Digital Public Infrastructure for health. She informed delegates that India has created over 940 million ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) IDs, issued unique digital identities to more than one million healthcare professionals and over five lakh health facilities, while enabling citizens to securely access more than one billion linked digital health records across the continuum of care.

She also referred to India's recently launched SAHI (Strategic Framework for AI in Healthcare), unveiled during the AI India Impact Summit earlier this year, which provides a framework for the responsible adoption of AI to strengthen healthcare delivery while ensuring ethics, transparency, safety and citizen trust.

The Union Health Secretary emphasised that India's experience was being shared not as a model to be replicated, but as one example among many represented within BRICS. She called for deeper collaboration among member countries on interoperable standards, digital public infrastructure, governance frameworks for responsible AI, cybersecurity, health workforce capacity building, and collaborative research and innovation. 7

Welcoming the release of the BRICS Technical Working Group-4 Compendium on Digital Health Architecture for Continuum of Care, she described it as a significant milestone reflecting the collective expertise and innovation of BRICS nations. She congratulated all member countries and the Technical Working Group for developing the compendium, which demonstrates that despite diverse health systems, BRICS countries are united by a shared vision of connected, equitable and future-ready healthcare.

Concluding her address, Smt. Srivastava said that while digital health records provide the foundation, responsible AI offers the opportunity to redefine continuity of care for present and future generations.

Speaking at the Occasion, Chief Executive Officer, National Health Authority (NHA), Shri Sunil Kumar Barnwal delivered a detailed presentation on the BRICS Technical Working Group-4 (TWG-4) Compendium on Digital Health Architecture for Continuum of Care, outlining its key findings and recommendations. He explained that the compendium provides a comprehensive assessment of the current state of digital health ecosystems across BRICS countries and identifies the critical building blocks required to achieve seamless continuity of care through interoperable digital health infrastructure.

Presenting a comparative analysis of the digital health landscape across BRICS nations, Shri Barnwal highlighted the unique strengths and innovations demonstrated by each member country while also identifying the common challenges faced across the grouping. These include fragmented health information systems, limited interoperability, uneven digital maturity across regions, growing burden of chronic and non-communicable diseases, workforce constraints, and the need for robust data governance frameworks.

He emphasised that despite the diversity of health systems, BRICS countries share a common aspiration to build connected, patient-centric and resilient healthcare systems. The compendium, he noted, offers a practical framework for strengthening the continuum of care by promoting interoperable digital public infrastructure, adoption of open standards, secure and consent-based data exchange, and the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence.

The side event also featured a high-level panel discussion with delegates and experts from BRICS member countries and partner nations, who exchanged experiences and best practices on strengthening the continuum of care through interoperable digital health infrastructure and responsible Artificial Intelligence.

The discussion highlighted how countries are leveraging digital public infrastructure to improve continuity of care across diverse healthcare settings. Delegates from Brazil shared their experience with the National Health Data Network (RNDS), which has transformed the country's healthcare ecosystem from paper-based referrals to a unified national health information exchange. They also highlighted the expansion of telehealth services, now reaching nearly 80 per cent of municipalities, significantly improving access to specialist healthcare in remote and underserved regions, including the Amazon.

Representatives from Indonesia outlined the rapid scale-up of the country's Integrated Primary Health Care model across thousands of Puskesmas (primary health centres). They also discussed the implementation of the SATUSEHAT digital health platform, which has been adapted to support continuity of care across Indonesia's geographically dispersed archipelago of more than 17,000 islands despite connectivity challenges.

The panel underscored that while Artificial Intelligence presents immense opportunities for improving healthcare delivery, its safe and effective deployment depends on high-quality, interoperable health data and locally validated clinical evidence. Participants stressed the need for BRICS countries to invest in robust governance frameworks, data quality, interoperability standards, validation mechanisms, cybersecurity, health workforce capacity building and sustainable financing before scaling AI-enabled healthcare solutions.

The dialogue reaffirmed the collective commitment of BRICS countries to harness digital innovation and responsible AI for building resilient, inclusive and people-centric health systems, while advancing universal health coverage and strengthening continuity of care across the health ecosystem.

7/27/26, 2:22 PM

Press Release Page | Press Information Bureau https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2288817®=6&lang=1 6/7

Deputy Minister of Health Vladimir Zelensky, Russia;
Mr. Arthur Fernandes da Silva, Brazil;
Dr. Hiwot Solomon, Ethiopia;
Dr. Harditya Suryawanto, Indonesia;
Dr. Grace Achungura, Team lead Health Systems in WHO-India;
Ministers, Senior Officers and Delegates from the BRICS member and partner nations participated in the event.
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