Welcome Remarks: Victoria PANOVA (Russia), Head, BRICS Expert Council - Russia; Vice Rector, HSE University; Russian W20 Sherpa

Keynote: Sergei RYABKOV (Russia), Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Russia’s BRICS Sherpa

Welcome Address:

• Nikita ANISIMOV (Russia), Rector, HSE University
• Vyacheslav NIKONOV (Russia), First Deputy Chairman, Committee on International affairs, State Duma; Chairman of the Board, National Committee on BRICS Research

For many years, the world had been fragmented into parts in control of just a few global players. Multilateralism has been gaining momentum with time, and it eventually reached the point of development when the World Majority became capable of raising its voice. Pluralism is now an indispensable factor of world politics. It manifests itself in many dimensions, while BRICS has appeared to be one of the major platforms that shape the globe towards multipolarity and rebuild the chessboard to thoroughly illustrate the new reality. The expansion of the grouping in January 2024 demonstrates that the number of players committed to making the game more representative and just continues to grow. All of the BRICS states share a common vision of international dialogue where everyone involved is respected and treated as equal. With the expansion of BRICS, there are ever more opportunities to make the institutional setting more equitable and fair, to define the rules and potential outcomes of the game to ensure a better future for the whole of humanity. The new global chessboard should translate into promoting the principles of protecting national sovereignty and nonintervention in domestic affairs, finding new approaches to enhancing global governance institutions, and outlining common objectives of the World Majority.

Questions for discussion:

• What are the core principles that BRICS need to uphold and promote as a foundation of the more just and equitable world order?
• What BRICS should do to support its core principles and values?
• How can BRICS states promote multilateralism at the present phase of geopolitical turbulence?
• What are the new dimensions of BRICS approach to the reform of global governance institutions following the expansion?

Moderator: Victoria PANOVA (Russia), Head, BRICS Expert Council - Russia; Vice Rector, HSE University; Russian W20 Sherpa

Scene Setter: Vyacheslav NIKONOV (Russia), First Deputy Chairman, Committee on International Affairs, State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation; Chairman of the Board, National Committee on BRICS Research

Speakers:

• Sarah MOSOETSA (South Africa), CEO, Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)
• Walter A. DESIDERÁ NETO (Brazil), Researcher, Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPEA)
• Xin JIN (China), Secretary General, China Council for BRICS Think-tank Cooperation (CCBTC)
• Jafar BEDRU GELETU (Ethiopia), Executive Director, Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA)
• Nandan UNNIKRISHNAN (India), Distinguished Fellow, Observer Research Foundation (ORF)
• Alireza Khoda GHOLIPOUR (Iran), Deputy Director General and Director for Asian Studies, Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS)

In 2024, the “Core Five” was enriched by the new members. Having encompassed states of the Middle East and North Africa, BRICS gained more opportunities to influence the global politics and world economy to the benefit of the World Majority, or the Global South. Similarly, this expansion leads to a unity of countries so different in their national circumstances that keeping this group together might become a challenge as well.
While BRICS had been a diverse association before, it has become more complex. GDP per capita, sizes of the population, cultures, religions and other parameters seem disparate. Let alone the variances in needs and issues of concern that range from soil erosion and water shortages to poverty and high inflation rates. It is essential that BRICS elaborate a paradigm of being a BRICS state to ensure a smooth integration of the newcomers and still keep the door open for others to join.

Questions for discussion:

• What does it mean to be a BRICS member for each of the countries?
• What is common among all the BRICS states?
• What are the issues that all of the members prioritize to resolve?
• How to ensure smooth integration of the new members?
• What could be the parameters of further expansion and how far and fast should the expansion be?

Moderator: Timofei BORDACHEV (Russia), Head of the Working Group “Country analysis and analysis of BRICS national strategies”, BRICS Expert Council - Russia; Academic Supervisor of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies, HSE University; Programme Director, Valdai Discussion Club

Speakers:

• Sergei KARAGANOV (Russia), Academic Supervisor of the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, HSE University
• Walter A. DESIDERÁ NETO (Brazil), Researcher, Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPEA)
• Nandan UNNIKRISHNAN (India), Distinguished Fellow, Observer Research Foundation (ORF)
• Honghua MEN (China), Dean of School of Political Science and International Relations, Tongji University
• Tianjiao JIANG (China), Associate Director, Center for BRICS Studies, Fudan University
• Sanusha NAIDU (South Africa), Senior Researcher, Institute for Global Dialogue (IGD)
• Alireza Khoda GHOLIPOUR (Iran), Deputy Director General and Director for Asian Studies, Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS)
• Jafar BEDRU GELETU (Ethiopia), Executive Director, Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA)
• Dmitry SUSLOV (Russia), Deputy Director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies, HSE University

Discutants:

• Vasiliy KASHIN (Russia), Director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies, HSE University
• Ivan SAFRANCHUK (Russia), Director of the Center for Euro-Asian Studies, Moscow State Institute of International Relations under the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (MGIMO-University)

The new kinds of security threats that the world faces today are transnational in nature and cannot be adequately solved on one’s own. With the advent of new technology, terrorists received new tools and mechanisms to manifest themselves. Terrorist activities through the Internet may lead to failures of critical equipment and infrastructure, threaten the functioning of city services and healthcare systems, destabilize social security and cause panic. Private online users become more vulnerable to the threat as they are easily reached from any point of the globe. It is forecasted that 30 billion connected devices will be in use by 2030, which will create more assets susceptible to attack. Today, the world is also witnessing politicization of the fight against terror, the widespread use of terrorist methods in achieving political goals, and the growing use of ICT in attempts to destabilize the well-being of individuals, enterprises, and states. Similarly, traditional terrorism also remains a real and serious threat.
For years, BRICS states have been discussing the issues of combating terrorism and ensuring information and cyber security, including within the UN platforms. The grouping maintains the practice of information exchange on terrorist organizations, their financing and operations, as well as information and cyber security threats and incidents. BRICS also cooperates in the field of education and social policies to protect young people from radical movements spreading on the Internet. Recognizing the large scale of all related threats, it is vital to define common approaches within the new BRICS.

Questions for discussion:

• Recognizing all acts of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, what extra measures could be taken by BRICS to prevent and counter all forms of support for terrorism? What information and cyber security mechanisms should be elaborated among the BRICS states to decrease negative effects of ICT misuse?
• How could BRICS states cooperatively strengthen global and national information security?
• How can BRICS states jointly promote adopting international normative regulation of the Internet?
• How could BRICS states coordinate their policies against terrorism in the Internet and beyond with the regional organizations in Eurasia, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East?

Moderator: Feodor VOITOLOVSKY (Russia), RAS Corresponding Member, Professor, Director, Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMEMO)

Speakers:

• Dmitry TRENIN (Russia), Research Professor at the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, Academic Supervisor of the Institute for World Military Economy and Strategy, HSE University
• Bharati HIREMATH (India), Head and Founder Coordinator, Department of International Relations, University of Mysore
• Cuihong CAI (China), Professor, Center for American Studies, Fudan University
• Moses KHANYILE (South Africa), Director of the Centre for Military Studies, University of Stellenbosch
• Anatol LIEVEN (USA), Director of the Eurasia Program, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft

Discutants:

• Alexei KUPRIYANOV (Russia), Head of the Centre of the Indo-Pacific Region, Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMEMO)
• Maxim SUCHKOV (Russia), Director of the Institute of International Studies, Moscow State Institute of International Relations under the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (MGIMO-University)

Humanity witnessed the cost of having deficiencies in healthcare systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 14.9 million people lost their lives globally because of the virus in 2020 and 2021. Infectious diseases can potentially harm anyone, so spotting the healthcare risks on time and being able to undertake preventive measures becomes a critical task. BRICS comprises almost half of the global population, and the consequences of a potential spread of infections across countries at such a scale might be devastating. BRICS countries are actively engaging in the field of healthcare. Formats of cooperation include BRICS TB Research Network, BRICS Vaccine R&D Center, as well as the launch of BRICS scientific journal devoted to healthcare issues.
Still, globally, inadequate evaluations of national healthcare systems, differing degrees of effectiveness in distributing resources, gaps between the declared biosecurity measures and the real ability of populations to participate in control and prevention activities are all factors that exacerbated the epidemiological situation. Global expert community has recognized that many accidents are caused not by a lack of physical barriers or regulations, but by the absence of a strong biosafety culture in labs and their oversight bodies. Therefore, ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being goes hand in hand with containing biological security risks. One aspect of addressing the latter is risk assessment and mitigation. It includes elaborating standardized assessment approaches, flexible mechanisms, and more.

Questions for discussion:

• How could BRICS states more effectively monitor global healthcare and biological risks?
• With a view to protecting natural resources as a basis of biosecurity, what best national practices could be shared among the BRICS states?
• What standards of healthcare quality should guide the BRICS countries in building their own ecosystem? What else could be done by BRICS states in healthcare to ensure the well-being of their citizens?

Moderator: Vadim POKROVSKY (Russia), RAS Academician, Professor, Head of the Specialized Scientific Research Department for AIDS Prevention and Control at the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor)

Speakers:

• Alexander GORELOV (Russia), RAS Academician, Head of Infectious Pathology at the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor); Professor of the Department of Childhood Diseases, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
• Sabyasachi SAHA (India), Associate Professor, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS)
• Ge GAN (China), Deputy Director, China National Health Development Research Center of the National Health Commission

Discutants:

• Larisa POPOVICH (Russia), Director of the Institute for Health Economics, HSE University

Since 2016, investment in renewable energy capacities exceeds investment in fossil fuels. Nearly a half of 67 million people employed in the energy sector globally in 2022 have jobs in clean energy. The share of renewables in global energy mix continue to grow however coal consumption is growing too as well as greenhouse gas emissions that broke a new record in 2023. The huge asymmetry still remains between developed and developing countries. Since the start of COVID-19, governments have enacted $1.3 trillion in clean energy investment support, but close to 95% of them belong to advanced economies. Moreover, advanced economies tend to expand their beggar-thy-neighbour policies to support their markets of green technologies, both through protectionist trade-related measures and active industrial policies. International organizations consistently highlight the urgent need to include the Global South in the energy transition process, but these public statements rarely consider the differences in national circumstances between the developed and developing countries.
Comprehensive and balanced transition would bring benefit to all, but there must be a recognition that the pace, degree, and means of transition might differ. For instance, in Russia, 55% of primary energy consumption comes from natural gas, and 19% of electricity is generated from by nuclear energy. In Iran, natural gas represents 71% of total primary energy supply. China is the world leader in wind and solar capacities and accounts to 60% of global sales of electric vehicles. The United Arab Emirates is home to three of the largest and lowest-cost solar plants in the world. Egypt is moving towards 42% of renewable energy in its electricity mix by 2035. Low-carbon energy including hydro- and biofuels meets almost 45% of Brazil’s primary energy demand, making the country’s energy sector one of the least carbon intensive in the world. These examples indicate that BRICS is truly an environmentally responsible grouping that strives for decreasing carbon footprint but does it in accordance with the national interests of BRICS countries and others from the World Majority.

Questions for discussion:

• Should BRICS countries make the development of renewable energy an economic priority?
• What would be the advantages and disadvantages of such a policy?
• Considering that fossil energy can be made cleaner, what can be the models of energy transition appropriate for BRICS countries?
• How should BRICS define a just energy transition and promote this concept globally?
• Is it possible to build the effective dialogue between producers and consumers of fossil fuels and carbon-intensive goods to make energy transition attractive for all?
• How do energy transition and the shift of global energy mix influence the energy security? Is it possible to create a concept of collective energy security under current conditions and what role could BRICS states play in this regard?

Moderator: Leonid GRIGORYEV (Russia), Tenured Professor, Academic Supervisor of the School of World Economy at the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, HSE University

Speakers:

• Alexander DYNKIN (Russia), RAS Academician, Professor, President, Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMEMO) (TBC)
• Igor MAKAROV (Russia), Head of the Working Group “Sustainable Development, Human Wellbeing, Food and Environmental Security”, BRICS Expert Council - Russia; Head of the School of World Economy, Head of the Laboratory for Economics of Climate Change, Head of the International Economic Research Department of the Centre for Comprehensive European and International Studies, Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, HSE University
• Alex BENKENSTEIN (South Africa), Head of the Climate and Natural Resources Programme, South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA)
• Yousheng ZHANG (China), Deputy Director, Energy Research Institute of National Development and Reform Commission China
• Gopalika ARORA (India), Associate Fellow, Observer Research Foundation (ORF)

Moderator: Irina ABRAMOVA (Russia), RAS Corresponding Member, Professor, Director, Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Speakers:

• Alikber ALIKBEROV (Russia), Director, Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences
• Ali BENOUARI (Algeria), Minister of Treasury (1991-1992), Expert of National Debt Committee and Advisor to the Ministers of Finance and Economy in Algeria (TBC)
• Vladimir SHUBIN (Russia), Leading Research Fellow, Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Honoris Causa of the University of Western Cape (South Africa)
• Maya NIKOLSKAYA (Russia), Acting Director of the Center for African Studies, Moscow State Institute of International Relations under the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (MGIMO-University)
• Leonid ISSAEV (Russia), Deputy Director of the Centre for Stability and Risk Analysis at the Faculty of Social Sciences, HSE University

Discutants:

• Daria ZELENOVA (Russia), Head of the Research Center for African strategy in BRICS at the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Moderator: Olga YUDINA (Russia), Russian Senior Energy Official in BRICS; Director of International Affairs, Russian Energy Agency by Ministry of Energy of Russia

Global trade is increasingly shaped by the new tendencies. One fifth of the global trade volume worth $32 trillion is taken by services trade. B2B e-commerce market has already become five times the size of the B2C market. Re-shoring, near-shoring, and friendshoring are becoming buzzwords in the world of supply chains. In 2022, the volume of internal BRICS trade reached $422 billion, which is 56% more than in 2017. The upward tendency continued in 2023. Yet, to achieve such a long-term growth in trade, there is grand need for BRICS for adaptation measures and embracing of new technologies.
To keep up with the trends, technology should be effectively utilized to help to reduce operating costs, provide end-to-end supply chain visibility, and unlock a localized customer experience internationally. For BRICS, it is essential to develop flexible and resilient supply chains so the grouping can adapt and adjust in real-time to changes in international trade flows, new regulations, the impact of disruption, climate change, trade tensions, and geopolitical disturbances. It is also important to drive actionable improvements from data and adapt to digital operations in trade and business.

Questions for discussion:

• What challenges do businesses face in BRICS countries and what measures could be undertaken to improve the environments for doing business?
• How could BRICS countries raise awareness of opportunities on their markets among BRICS national businesses?
• How can BRICS states develop cooperation in the field of investment projects and special economic zones?
• How and to what extent can BRICS digitize its internal trade processes?
• What technological solutions could be adopted by BRICS states to ensure supply chain transparency?

Moderator: Vladimir ZUEV (Russia), Head of the Working Group “Cooperation in Economics, Trade, Infrastructure, and Energy”, BRICS Expert Council - Russia; Professor, Head of the Department of Trade Policy, Institute of Trade Policy, HSE University

Speakers:

• Andrei SPARTAK (Russia), Corresponding Member of RAS, Professor, Head of the Department of International Trade and Foreign Trade of the Russian Federation, Russian Foreign Trade Academy of the Ministry of Economic Development
• Marco Aurélio ALVES DE MENDONÇA (Brazil), Researcher, Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPEA)
• Jhanvi TRIPATHI (India), Associate Fellow, Observer Research Foundation (ORF)
• Ya TAN (China), Deputy Director of the BRICS Research Center, University of International Business and Economics
• Ronney NCWADI (South Africa), Professor, Nelson Mandela University
• Alan FREEMAN (Canada), Co-Director of Geopolitical Economy Research Group in University of Manitoba; Secretary of Geopolitical Economy Research and Education Trust; Co-Editor of Geopolitical Economy Book series, Manchester University Press
• Mahdi FAKHERI (Iran), Professor, School of International Relations

Discutants:

• Alexander DANILTSEV (Russia), Director of the Institute of Trade Policy, HSE University
• Ali BENOUARI (Algeria), Minister of Treasury (1991-1992), Expert of National Debt Committee and Advisor to the Ministers of Finance and Economy in Algeria

High-tech is developing at an ultra-fast pace. The cloud computing market is believed to expand to $1.4 trillion by 2027. Cybersecurity will also remain among the most prospective technological areas, with its revenues totaling $344 billion by 2030. The use of robotics is forecasted to spread across such sectors as healthcare, defense, and manufacturing. The incorporation of the Internet of Things in urban development will lead to a better performance of the city services in energy, transport, and utilities. At the same time, rapid development of new technology raises important issues, such as increased gaps in terms of incomes of the population, disparities concerning access to high tech and quality of technical education, and various ethical questions connected with deep fakes, cloning, privacy issues, mass collection and circulation of personally identifiable information, displacement of human labor by machines, the imposition “always-on” culture, and others.
To overcome the global technology divide and respond to the most acute challenges of the time, BRICS countries need to join efforts in conducting research and development activities in promising technological fields. International investments into high tech sectors, establishing joint ventures, and realizing technology transfers within the grouping may also be an effective solution to the national challenges. It may contribute to the diversification of structures of national economies, finding new drivers for economic growth, boosting productivity of manufacturing, and making it more environmentally friendly.

Questions for discussion:

• What areas of high-tech receive burning interest in the countries of the World Majority?
• What kind of approach to adopting new technology could BRICS elaborate to minimize the potential negative socio-economic effects of high tech?
• How can BRICS address some of the ethical issues in the development and use of technology?
• Should BRICS introduce its own regulation instruments for high-tech?

Moderator: Alexei MASYUTIN (Russia), Head of the Joint Department with Sberbank ‘Financial Technologies and Data Analysis’, Director of the AI and Digital Science Institute, HSE University

Speakers:

• Аlbert BAKHTIZIN (Russia), Corresponding Member of RAS, Professor, Director of the Central Economic and Mathematical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences
• Sameer PATIL (India), Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Observer Research Foundation (ORF)
• Ruzhen ZHUANG (China), Member, Working Group for China-BRICS Science and Innovation Park
• Nirmala GOPAL (South Africa), Professor and Senior Academic, University of KwaZulu-Natal
• Allo Aman DIDO (Ethiopia), Senior research staff, a member of Management Team and Head of Plant Biotechnology, Bio and Emerging Technology Institute of Ethiopia
• Hoda AL KHZAIMI (UAE), Director, Center for Cyber Security

Discutants:

• Vladimir KOROVKIN (Russia), Associate Professor, SKOLKOVO School of Management

In 2023, the most widely discussed technology was artificial intelligence, and investments in this field are predicted to keep growing. Experts forecast that by 2030, the global AI market will reach the size of about $2 trillion. Current breakthroughs in AI are already forcing governments around the world to assess its potential opportunities and threats.
Whether the vices or virtues of AI prevail will be defined by the ability of the international community to elaborate a responsible, human-centered and ethical approach to the global AI regulation and governance. BRICS has the potential to become a suitable platform for deepening scientific and technological cooperation in the field of AI among countries with different levels of development. It is essential to recognize that AI regulation should be just and inclusive, ensuring the participation of all countries with equal rights and responsibilities to guarantee global security and development. Taking these factors into account, in 2023, the BRICS countries agreed to establish an AI Study Group.
Only if fairly regulated can artificial intelligence provide solutions to old problems such as outpacing and uneven growth of the world population, climate change, and development of inequalities between the countries of the North and South, West and East. Monopolizing control over AI technology in the hands of a privileged club may pose threats to the rest. Thus, there should also be mechanisms for providing access to infrastructure for the creation and deployment of AI. Forming a specialized system for exchanging best practices in the field of AI would also serve the interests of the World Majority. Importantly, all countries should be involved in the process of rules-making for the development and use of AI in economic, social, and other areas. Less confrontation in AI development is a prerequisite for fewer geopolitical tensions worldwide. Establishing universal AI standards and ethics is a must on the way forward.

Questions for discussion:

• What mechanisms can be applied in the BRICS countries to boost international AI development?
• Should BRICS introduce its own standards and ethical norms for AI?
• Are there prospects for creating a system for exchanging successful practices in implementing AI in industry and government within the BRICS framework?
• What research projects could be implemented as part of developing a collaborative approach to AI development?

Moderator: Sergei NAKVASIN (Russia), Director of the National Center for the Development of Artificial Intelligence under the Government of the Russian Federation, HSE University

Speakers:

• Sergei GARBUK (Russia), Director for Research Projects, HSE University; Chairman of the Russian Technical Committee for Standardization “Artificial Intelligence”
• Walter A. DESIDERÁ NETO (Brazil), Researcher, Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPEA)
• Sameer PATIL (India), Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Observer Research Foundation (ORF)
• Longyue ZHAO (China), Dean of the School of International Governance Innovation, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies
• Andrei NEZNAMOV (Russia), Managing Director of AI Regulation Center, Sberbank

Discutants:

• Konstantin VORONTSOV (Russia), Head of the Department of Mathematical Methods of Forecasting, Faculty of Computational Mathematics and Cybernetics, Lomonosov Moscow State University
• Alexei MASYUTIN (Russia), Head of the Joint Department with Sberbank ‘Financial Technologies and Data Analysis’, Director of the AI and Digital Science Institute, HSE University

The UN reports that the “great finance divide” risks becoming a lasting global divergence, further increasing geoeconomic fragmentation of the world. The global financial architecture established after World War II in mid-20th century does not coincide with the needs of the world characterized by such systemic challenges, as profound technological and geopolitical struggle, extreme inequality, highly integrated financial markets, and climate change.
Some countries openly weaponize international financial instruments by restricting their use as a sanctioning measure. Continuing this approach when international financial transactions are controlled by a limited group of states may lead to critical consequences for all. Creating reserve systems for international financial transactions, building new models of correspondent banking relationships should find a place in the BRICS agenda. The BRICS countries keep working on the Contingent Reserve Arrangement and are considering a new global payment system for international trade to diversify opportunities for cross-border transactions. The BRICS Declaration 2023 highlighted the desirability of using national currencies in trade and financial transactions, both within BRICS and with other trading partners. BRICS Leaders tasked finance ministers to elaborate ways to develop local currencies, payment instruments and platforms.

Questions for discussion:

• How can BRICS drive forward the enhancement of the international financial and monetary architecture?
• What should be the criteria of a just international system?
• What are the ways to strengthen cooperation within NDB and offer new momentum to BRICS Bank?
• Should BRICS create other relevant institutions and what would they look like?
• What financial instruments and policies are the most urgent for developing countries?

Moderator: Irina YARYGINA (Russia), Head of the Working Group “Financial and Investment Cooperation”, BRICS Expert Council - Russia; Head of the Economics and Banking Business Department at the International Institute of Energy Policy and Diplomacy, Moscow State Institute of International Relations under the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (MGIMO-University); Head of Programs, Professor, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation

Speakers:

• Mikhail STOLBOV (Russia), Head of the Department of Applied Economics, Moscow State Institute of International Relations under the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (MGIMO-University)
• Lucca PEREIRA HORTA (Brazil), Researcher, International Intelligence Unit, Fundação Getulio Vargas
• Priyadarshi DASH (India), Associate Professor, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS)
• Yonghong TU (China), Dean of Yangtze River Economic Zone Research Institution, Renmin University of China
• Ronney NCWADI (South Africa), Professor, Nelson Mandela University
• Ali BENOUARI (Algeria), Minister of Treasury (1991-1992), Expert of National Debt Committee and Advisor to the Ministers of Finance and Economy in Algeria

Discutans:

• Mikhail ERSHOV (Russia), Professor, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation; Chief Director of Financial Research and Head of the Financial Analysis Department, Institute of Energy and Finance

The collective knowledge, attributes, skills, and experience of the workforce are the most important resources of any economy. Improving human capital increases production and spurs growth. Well-identified individuals with the necessary requirements enable economies to function at maximum efficiency. BRICS universities, academies of sciences, research institutes, schools, and accelerators are all key stakeholders that create innovations and contribute to progress by advancing human capital.
Seven out of ten BRICS states rank among the top-50 worldwide in terms of the number of scientific papers published in Scopus as well as in terms of the volume of citable papers. In total, there are over 11 300 universities in BRICS countries which creates a great potential for furthering academic exchanges, establishing double degree programs, developing online courses, organizing scientific projects and events, doing joint research, etc. All of these serve the purpose of nurturing professionals with international experience and competent enough to enable progress and economic growth.
There is still a room for collaboration and fresh ideas in the field of human development potential. Geographical remoteness, disparities between BRICS countries in quality of education and research, lack of common standards and other factors prevent BRICS from creating a single intellectual space. BRICS Network University is a grand idea that still needs practical implementation in terms of establishing multi-degree programs. The issue of recognizing qualification certificates within BRICS also requires attention. At the same time, there are multiple research fields, where BRICS countries could complement each other.

Questions for discussion:

• What are the challenges for BRICS becoming the global cradle of talents and the engine of scientific progress?
• What mechanisms could be introduced to simplify the intra-BRICS scientific and educational cooperation?
• Should BRICS promote their own educational standards?
• How could BRICS ensure the full and equal involvement of all members in international R&D activities and educational projects?
• What scientific areas are the most promising for BRICS countries?

Moderator: Marina BOROVSKAYA (Russia), RAE Corresponding Member, Professor, President, Southern Federal University

Speakers:

• Evgeniy TERENTEV (Russia), Director at the Institute of Education HSE University
• Beyene PETROS (Ethiopia), Director General, Policy Studies Institute
• Aditi AVASTHI (India), CEO, Embibe
• Fangfang MA (China), Vice Dean of the School of International Relations, Beijing Language and Culture University
• Krish CHETTY (South Africa), Senior Researcher, Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)
• Haroldo RAMANZINI JUNIOR (Brazil), Teacher of IR, University of Brasilia

Intercivilizational integration projects pave the way for developing people-to-people ties. History is evolving towards the establishment of a stronger unity based on stable humanitarian connections. The expansion of BRICS serves as one more proof of this trend: BRICS now represents all major world civilizations. Another example is the Greater Eurasian Partnership: an initiative that aims to create an intercontinental network that will unite interstate groupings such as BRICS, SCO, EAEU, ASEAN in the interest of global stability and development.
Deepening dialogue means fostering opportunities for cultural exchanges to build better bonds. Given that BRICS is now almost half of the global population, the group possesses a great potential for humanitarian dialogue. BRICS is home to 216 UNESCO world heritage sites. Arabic, Chinese, English, and Russian languages spoken in BRICS countries are means of international communication within the UN system. Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant branches of Christianity, numerous flows of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, and dozens of other religions, teachings and beliefs are in constant interaction among BRICS countries. Hundreds of ethnic groups unite under the flag of BRICS. All BRICS countries share traditional values such as family, patriotism, humanism, equity, and others. The potential for intercivilizational dialogue within BRICS is close to infinite and BRICS strategic goals should include maximizing this potential.

Questions for discussion:

• How could BRICS states effectively develop intercultural dialogue and increase mutual understanding among nations? Does BRICS need a common intercivilizational identity?
• In what ways can national art contribute to building bridges among BRICS civilizations?
• How could BRICS countries promote each other’s language and culture studies?
• Is it possible for BRICS to become the first intercivilizational community where different cultures enrich each other and people-to-people connection has no barriers?

Moderator: TBC

Speakers:

• Fuad ALESKEROV (Russia), Tenured Professor, Director of the International Centre of Decision Choice and Analysis, HSE University
• Jhanvi TRIPATHI (India), Associate Fellow, Observer Research Foundation (ORF)
• Ying ZHANG (China), Deputy Dean of the School of International Relations and Diplomacy, Beijing Foreign Studies University
• Sarah MOSOETSA (South Africa), CEO, Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)
• Neda RAEFIPOUR (Iran), Research Fellow, Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS)
• Zadig ABREHA (Ethiopia), President, African Leadership Excellence Academy
• Svetlana NUZHDINA (Russia), Director of the Centre for Religion and Law, Faculty of Law, HSE University

Discutans:

• Irina SEMENENKO (Russia), Correspondent Member of RAS, Acting Deputy Director for Research, Head of the Centre for Comparative Socio-economic and Political Studies, Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMEMO)

Adopting Recommendations of the BRICS Academic Forum

Moderator: Victoria PANOVA (Russia), Head, BRICS Expert Council - Russia; Vice Rector, HSE University; Russian W20 Sherpa

Closing Remarks:

• Sarah MOSOETSA (South Africa), CEO, Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)
• Walter A. DESIDERÁ NETO (Brazil), Researcher, Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPEA)
• Xin JIN (China), Secretary General, China Council for BRICS Think-tank Cooperation (CCBTC)
• Jafar BEDRU GELETU (Ethiopia), Executive Director, Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA)
• Nandan UNNIKRISHNAN (India), Distinguished Fellow, Observer Research Foundation (ORF)
• Alireza Khoda GHOLIPOUR (Iran), Deputy Director General and Director for Asian Studies, Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS)