In this week’s round-up: Russia takes US threats about BRICS activities seriously yet calmly; Indonesia told to get closer to BRICS after Trump unveils 32 pct tariffs; S-African politician claims BRICS relations more robust following US aid cuts; BRICS women secure R9.42bn trade boost for agriculture; Brazil’s Silva highlights BRICS’ potential for just ecological transition; Iran proposes BRICS to establish green innovation, plastic waste management funds.
Ethiopia takes part in BRICS meeting of Vice Foreign Ministers, Special Envoys on Middle East and North Africa
Ethiopia participated in the BRICS meeting of Vice Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys on the Middle East and North Africa, which took place in Brasilia, Brazil from March 27-28, 2025.
Egypt’s membership of BRICS backs cultural mechanisms
Egypt’s membership of BRICS has an important role in supporting the mechanisms of cultural promotion and serve the culture industry, said Rania Abdel Latif, head of the Cultural Ministry’s foreign cultural affairs department.
BRICS countries could create coalition for various international negotiations — expert
The BRICS countries have similar views on many issues and could form an alliance to present a united front on various international platforms, said Igor Makarov, Head of World Economy and International Affairs at the Higher School of Economics University.
UAE reaffirms commitment to global energy transition at BRICS meeting
The United Arab Emirates has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the global energy transition and strengthening international cooperation to ensure energy security, underscoring its position as a reliable strategic partner in this vital sector.
Brazil continues supporting expansion of BRICS trades in national currencies
Brazilian authorities support expansion of the use of national currencies in trade among BRICS countries and are ready to explore any opportunities of increasing their share in mutual payments, Secretary of the Finance Ministry Tatiana Rosito said.
Russia to engage BRICS, SCO to build Eurasia’s security system — MFA
Moscow will promote dialogue with the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), BRICS, and the Collective Security Treaty Organization to develop the Eurasian security architecture, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
Indonesia told to get closer to BRICS after Trump unveils 32 pct tariffs
A senior economist said that Indonesia should try to get much closer to the China-led BRICS trade-wise after US President Donald Trump launched sweeping tariffs on nearly all of Washington’s trading partners.
S-African politician claims BRICS relations more robust following US assistance cuts
The cessation of US foreign aid to South Africa has been described as a “wake-up call” and a chance for transformation by South African politician and youth activist Khalid Muhammad.
BRICS women secure R9.42bn trade boost for agriculture
Despite a cash crunch and a global economic downturn, the Brics Women’s Business Alliance (WBA) South Africa, has announced a trade, investment and partnership valued at R9.42 billion to empower women-led enterprises in agriculture.
Russia takes US threats about BRICS activities seriously yet calmly — senior diplomat
Moscow treats threats on the part of Washington about activities by BRICS and its member states seriously but composedly, Russian Deputy Foreign Ministry and Russia’s Sherpa in the group Sergey Ryabkov said in an interview with the International Affairs journal.
Ethiopia’s commitment to Green Agenda highlighted at BRICS meeting
An Ethiopian delegation led by the Director General of the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Lelise Neme, is taking part in the 11th BRICS Environmental High -Level Senior Officials Meeting in Brasilia, Brazil.
Brazil’s Silva highlights BRICS’ potential for just ecological transition
Brazil’s Environment and Climate Change Minister Marina Silva highlighted the BRICS group’s potential to lead a just global ecological transition. She made those remarks during the 11th ministerial meeting, where issues like desertification, ecosystem preservation, plastic pollution, and climate action aligned with the UN’s Agenda 2030 were discussed.
At BRICS meeting, India stresses fair utilisation of carbon space
It is imperative that BRICS nations work together to ensure that the world’s limited carbon budget is utilised equitably, prioritising the development needs of developing nations, India said at a ministerial level meeting of the BRICS environment working group in Brasilia.
Iran proposes BRICS to establish green innovation, plastic waste management funds
Shina Ansari, the head of the Department of Environment (DOE), has suggested member states of BRICS set up a joint green innovation fund for supporting projects on climate change adaptation in developing countries, and a global fund for managing plastic pollution.
