In this week’s round-up: Bahrain to continue participating in BRICS Plus group’s activities; Turkey’s interest in BRICS not affecting its support for Ukraine; Joining BRICS+ is not in Indonesia’s interests; State Department says US-India relations hit some headwinds due to Russia, BRICS; How Trump’s dump on de-dollarisation affects BRICS; BRICS charts new paths for Africa’s development; Stay invested in America and avoid the BRICS; BRICS partnerships drive $1.27 billion capital inflow to Nigeria.
Bahrain to continue participating in BRICS Plus group’s activities — envoy to Russia
Bahrain did not receive an invitation to become a BRICS partner state but it will continue to participate in the BRICS Plus group’s activities, the Middle Eastern nation’s Ambassador to Russia Ahmed Al Saati told TASS.
BRICS, SCO, EAEU work on platforms invulnerable to West’s outrages — Russian top diplomat
International organisations such as BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are focused on creating platforms that are resilient to the actions of the collective West, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated.
From BRICS to APEC: Chinese charm offensive and Xi Jinping’s renewed outreach
China’s economic slowdown and the impending Trump presidency have prompted a shift in its diplomatic approach, marked by a rework in tone, which has been somehow braced by the outgoing Biden administration and traditional US allies, like Japan.
BRICS partnership format in UNESCO sparks interest of other countries — Russian envoy
Russia is successfully building the joint work with foreign delegations at the UNESCO platform in the BRICS partnership format, Russia’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO Rinat Alyautdinov said.
State Department says US-India relations hit some headwinds due to Russia, BRICS
The US-India relationship has hit some headwinds that are related to Russia and BRICS among other things, First Deputy US Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said.
BRICS, Nigeria and the value of opportunity
Nigeria has a population of over 200 million citizens, one of the biggest economies in Africa, and has the potential to be an economic and cultural hub in Africa, yet it is plagued by a seemingly endless string of issues. Its north suffers near economic collapse and near-constant power shortages. The recent full-scale grid collapse put substantial strain on the entire country by bringing the daily functions of countless businesses to a full halt with little in the way of recourse.
Moscow to host BRICS student cultural and traditional festival
Moscow hosted the Festival of Culture and Traditions of the BRICS countries, especially aimed at high school students, the multimedia channel TVBrics reported.
Escobar: The BRICS spirit is alive and well in South Africa
There could hardly be a more auspicious counterpart to the action in South America than to gather in BRICS member South Africa to discuss African Unity in a Multipolar World, as well as the perennial plagues of racism, fascism, Russophobia and other forms of discrimination. The meetings were coordinated by the Mouvement Russophile International (MIR), who is not only Russophile but most of all, multi-nodal-phile. It’s as if this was an extension of the memorable BRICS 2024 summit in Kazan.
Southeast Asia and BRICS: A Strategic Response to Institutional Change in the Indo-Pacific
The growing interest of Southeast Asian nations in the expanding BRICS framework has garnered significant global attention. To understand this phenomenon, it is crucial to consider the broader backdrop of shifting institutional dynamics across the Indo-Pacific region. As these nations navigate a complex and evolving geopolitical and economic environment, their strategic engagements with BRICS and other platforms reflect a broader recalibration of priorities.
Turkey’s interest in BRICS not affecting its support for Ukraine – ambassador
Turkey’s interest in joining BRICS is primarily driven by economic considerations and does not affect its support for Ukraine. The Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey Vasyl Bodnar said this in an interview with Ukrinform.
Moscow to host the international conference Meet Global MICE Congress: BRICS Edition
On December 16 and 17, Moscow will host the international conference Meet Global MICE Congress: BRICS Edition, the annual business event of MICE industry representatives.
BRICS+ countries are determined to trade in their own currencies – but can it work?
Brics+ countries are exploring how they can foster greater use of local currencies in their trade, instead of relying on a handful of major currencies, primarily the US dollar and the euro. Economist Lauren Johnston recently wrote a paper on this development. The Conversation Africa asked her for her insights.
Joining BRICS+ is not in Indonesia’s interests
Indonesia’s decision to join BRICS+ solely based on perceived economic opportunities is highly imprudent. Although the initiative offers economic advantages, Indonesia already participates in robust platforms such as the G20 and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). It has formidable economic ties with China, which is one of the BRICS+ members.
BRICS doesn’t require members to cede sovereignty — Russian intelligence chief
BRICS doesn’t require its members and partners to cede sovereignty in contrast to similar Western platforms, Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergey Naryshkin said.
Young scientists hope to use BRICS Forum to solve world problems
Young scientists and innovators from the various member states are presenting research and their innovations at the meeting. Climate change, food security, renewable energy and Artificial Intelligence, among others, will be discussed.
Trump 2.0 Or BRICS: Pakistan’s strategic balancing act in a changing global order
As the U.S. under Trump and the expanding BRICS alliance reshape global dynamics, Pakistan faces a delicate balancing act, navigating between Western and non-Western powers to safeguard its sovereignty.
More South American nations eye BRICS membership
Many South American countries see BRICS as a way to strengthen their economies, deepen international cooperation, and pursue more equitable global partnerships.
BRICS 2024: Diplomacy between myths and reality
The 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, was highlighted by Dmitry Lyubinsky, the Russian Ambassador to Austria, as one of the most important global events of 2024. In his statement, Lyubinsky repeatedly criticized the portrayal of the alliance in Western media and addressed supposed myths surrounding BRICS. But how convincing are his arguments?
BRICS partner country status won’t affect ties with other groupings, Dewan Rakyat told
Malaysia’s status as a partner country in BRICS will not affect its role in other international cooperations, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
BRICS resilience only strengthens with expansion — Russian senior diplomat
The BRICS association has become even more resilient over the past year following its enlargement, despite global instability and emerging challenges, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and BRICS Sherpa Sergey Ryabkov stated during a meeting of the association’s sherpas and sous-sherpas.
Participation in BRICS in line with Global South aspirations: Malaysian official
Malaysia’s efforts to participate in the BRICS align with its aspirations for greater engagement within the Global South and recognition of the group’s growing influence, a Malaysian official said.
Will Belarus enter the BRICS? A Brazilian perspective
The BRICS summit in Kazan could have paved the way for the future accession of new members. Belarus would like to join as it views membership as a chance to break free from its international isolation. Brazil could be the one blocking the organisation’s expansion as it is becoming increasingly worried about the growing Chinese influence.
How Trump’s dump on de-dollarisation affects BRICS
During a campaign rally in Wisconsin in September 2024, President-elect Trump said, “Many countries are leaving the dollar. They’re not going to leave the dollar with me. I’ll say, you leave the dollar, you’re not doing business with the United States because we’re going to put a 100% tariff on your goods.”
Pakistan expects to become BRICS partner soon
Pakistan expects to join the list of BRICS partner nations soon, Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said.
BRICS partnerships drive $1.27 billion capital inflow to Nigeria
This marks a substantial rise from $438.72 million during the same period in 2023, reflecting Nigeria’s strategic engagement with BRICS economies to drive development.
No turning back on BRICS independent payment system
There is no turning back on plans to build an independent payment system for BRICS, all that’s left is for member states to take what their leaders have come up with and run with it, Russian deputy foreign minister and BRICS Sherpa Sergey Ryabkov told reporters after a meeting of Sherpas and Su-sherpas.
New BRICS banking system would render sanctions useless, ex-chancellor warns
Lord Lamont of Lerwick warned that a rival payments system would be a ‘major threat to the Western-led financial system’ if it ever came to pass.
Stay invested in America and avoid the BRICS
The BRICS are not only poor competition for the West, but they are also, in different and uniquely individual ways, economic accidents waiting to happen, writes former portfolio manager Tom Czitron. The risk is not that they will usurp the West but that many will become so economically, and eventually, politically chaotic that they will destabilise the entire world.
BRICS charts new paths for Africa’s development
As the multipolar world order takes shape, even as more African countries join BRICS, experts have called for more interactions between African nations and BRICS, as the grouping offers the continent numerous opportunities conducive to their economic growth.
