In this week’s round-up: BRICS-backed bank to lend $1 billion to Bangladesh this year; China calls for BRICS to counter unilateral trade, climate measures; Russia to offer BRICS countries innovative technology for cleaning up oil spills on water; US tariffs should spur BRICS to seek alternative currencies; SA must broker new US trade deal amid tariff threat, BRICS Business Council leader says; BRICS to BRATS? Why the Global South Is Cracking Under Its Own Weight; Which BRICS nations are emerging on the global AI playing field?; BRICS launches competition for women-led startups.
SA must broker new US trade deal amid tariff threat, BRICS Business Council leader says
South Africa must urgently pursue a new trade deal with the US to safeguard its economic interests amid rising tariffs and strained diplomatic ties, a senior business leader said.
Iran proposes BRICS to establish green innovation, plastic waste management funds
Shina Ansari, the head of the Department of Environment, 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.
India pushes for fair climate finance, diverse energy mix at BRICS meet
India has reaffirmed its support for a diverse energy mix, including fossil fuels, hydrogen, nuclear, and renewable energy, to achieve climate goals at the 11th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting.
Cuban President hails ratification of Dilma Rousseff to lead BRICS Bank
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel congratulated former Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff for having been ratified to the post of President of the New Development Bank.
US tariffs should spur BRICS to seek alternative currencies
The recent US tariffs will further fuel either de-dollarisation or diversification of currencies used for international trade, particularly among BRICS countries.
Russia to offer BRICS countries innovative technology for cleaning up oil spills on water
Russian specialists are preparing detailed information on the innovative technology of oil and oil spills collection from water surface and successful practices of plastic collection on Lake Baikal, TV BRICS reported.
BRICS now home to three of the world’s top five solar nations: EMBER
Renewable energy drove record clean electricity growth in 2024, with solar and wind accounting for most of the gains, think tank Ember said in its latest Global Electricity Review.
The evolution of the BRICS platform of shared values
Over the years, BRICS has emerged as a significant international group of leading nations from the Global non-West and South. The appeal of its activities is underscored by the desire of numerous developing states to join the group. BRICS attributes considerable importance to its image as a symbolic alternative, although it consistently emphasises that its activities are not directed against third countries. A report by Oleg Barabanov on the Valdai Club.
China calls for BRICS to counter unilateral trade, climate measures
China’s Environment Minister Huang Runqiu called on BRICS countries to collectively rebuild the multilateral global order for trade and climate actions, addressing challenges posed by unilateral measures, such as tariffs and the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
TV BRICS documentaries compete at UAE international film festival
Abu Dhabi hosted the I-Film Festival from 11 to 13 April, a major cultural event organised by the Innovative Film Academy (IFA), according to TV BRICS.
New Development Bank to lend $1 billion to Bangladesh this year
New Development Bank has planned to raise its lending to Bangladesh development projects to one billion US dollars this year, a vice president of the Shanghai-based multilateral lender said.
Russia appreciates BRICS countries’ views on Ukraine
Russia highly appreciates the balanced position of the BRICS countries on the efforts to settle the Ukrainian crisis, said Pavel Knyazev, ambassador-at-large of the Russian Foreign Ministry and Russia’s sous-sherpa in BRICS.
Top diplomats of BRICS member states to meet on April 28-29 in Rio de Janeiro — ambassador
The BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will take place on April 28-29 in Rio de Janeiro, and Russia is actively preparing for the event, Russian Ambassador to Brazil Alexey Labetsky said in an interview with TASS.
BRICS+ Association of Cities, Municipalities held in Tehran
With about a third of the global GDP and 45 percent of the world’s population, BRICS countries have cooperated in various economic and political forums. A recent addition to these forums is the BRICS+ Association of Cities and Municipalities.
Lavrov promises access to alternative payment platforms to non-members of BRICS
Countries that do not belong to BRICS will also be able to access alternative payment platforms within the association if they are created, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters following a meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers.
Iranian women among juries for BRICS ‘Green Future’ contest
The first international award of women’s environmental activities in the BRICS countries, titled ‘Green Future, will be judged by 16 juries from ten countries including two female scholars from Iran.
BRICS to BRATS? Why the Global South Is Cracking Under Its Own Weight
Once upon a time, BRICS was the bold promise of a new economic order — a band of emerging powers poised to rewrite the rules of global trade, finance, and diplomacy. Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa were meant to be the future. Today, it feels more like a WhatsApp group with patchy WiFi, no admin, and seven people sending voice notes in six languages, writes Vincent James Hooper for The Times of Israel.
Russian Deputy PM Patrushev attends meeting dedicated to creation of BRICS grain exchange
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev held a meeting dedicated to the creation of the BRICS Grain Exchange, TV BRICS reported.
Which BRICS nations are emerging on the global AI playing field?
Growing trade ties between Russia and India are set to hit new heights, with artificial intelligence (AI) opening a new chapter in their bilateral ties. However, this potential collabоration is just one piece of a bigger puzzle. It’s important to consider how the broader BRICS+ bloc is stepping up efforts in AI development.
BRICS launches competition for women-led startups
The initiative aims to highlight women-led businesses that provide practical and innovative solutions to challenges faced by their communities and markets. Applications are open until May 4, 2025, and must be submitted through the official website of the Brazilian presidency of BRICS.
