BRICS Committed to Building Fairer and Interactive World
来源：www.eurasiareview.com;发表于:2024-02-13;人气指数:616
Tuesday,
February 13, 2024
BRICS Committed to Building Fairer
and Interactive World
By Kester Kenn Klomegah
BRICS under Russia’s presidency (2024)
has begun with the first meeting of of Sherpas/Sous-Sherpas, held January 30 –
February 1, with participation of new countries – Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, the
United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The meeting wholeheartedly noted
substantial contributions in shaping the agenda and comprehensive plan of
activities scheduled to take place in the Russian Federation. During its
chairmanship of BRICS, Russia will do its best to find solutions to economic,
policy and humanitarian issues, to strengthen common consensus and approaches
with partner countries.
During the meeting, chaired by Deputy
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Russia’s Sherpa in BRICS, Sergey A. Ryabkov, the
priorities of the association were outlined. Representatives of Russian
ministries and departments gave detailed briefings on key areas of cooperation.
The importance of implementing a number of Russian initiatives was noted, in
particular, the launch of an Integrated Early Response System to the risks of
mass infectious diseases, the establishment of an Industrial Competence Center
based on UNIDO, the BRICS Medical Association and a specialized journal, and
strengthening cooperation in the field of transport and tourism.
As part of the implementation of the
instructions of the leaders of the BRICS countries following the results of the
XV summit of the association (Johannesburg, August 22-24, 2023), discussions
continued on the modalities of the category of BRICS partner states, as well as
increasing the role of national currencies and payment instruments in
cross-border transactions of the “ten” countries. All participants in the
meeting confirmed their focus on further constructive work within the three
“baskets” of the BRICS strategic partnership: in the field of politics and
security, economics and finance, culture and humanitarian ties.
It was pointed out that it’s about time
to tackle extraordinary challenges and to steer the association towards
creating a more fairer and interactive world. A quick analysis shows that the
present situation is engulfed with new conflicts and unprecedented threats that
endanger further sustainable development. But in a conscientious manner, BRICS
is set to handle the collective tasks and priorities, the fragile situation in
Ukraine, the human catastrophe emerging from the horrific Israeli war against
Palestine and its impact on the Middle East and the Mediterranean.
In addition, BRICS is also targeting
result-oriented work and opportunities in the developing countries, especially
those in the Global South. Its invaluable platforms are available to ensure
cohesive and sustainable responses to the challenges, and for fostering
cooperation and for renewed multidimensional partnerships, for instance, with
Africa.
Over those three days (January 30 –
February 1) the meeting held ten working sessions, during which representatives
of Russian ministries and departments, business and academic circles presented
detailed briefings on key areas of cooperation in BRICS and the initiatives of
the Russian chairmanship in the association. BRICS partners have assured to
lend their support for the chairmanship plans and their readiness to vigorously
work together this year.
Fruitful and constructive discussions
took place on a number of pressing issues in the fields of trade and
investment, transport and energy, technology and innovation, and sustainable
development. They exchanged views on strengthening cooperation in the fields of
education, healthcare and sports, and confirmed their focus on maintaining and
deepening ties between business and experts.
This year members will work to implement
the BRICS Economic Partnership Strategy until 2025, including by strengthening
supply chains, developing the digital economy, supporting small and
medium-sized businesses, stimulating tourist flows, and interaction in the
field of transport. They are aimed at launching the BRICS Contact Group on
Climate and Sustainable Development, initiated by the Russian side.
It noted the great potential for
cooperation between the BRICS countries in the field of healthcare, and hope
that this year the practical work of the Integrated Early Warning System for
the risks of mass infectious diseases will be launched. The meeting plans to
facilitate the connection of new countries to the BRICS Vaccine Research
Center. There was also the proposal to create a Medical Association and a BRICS
specialized journal. They welcome the start of the functioning of the Working
Group on Nuclear Medicine.
Under Russia’s presidency, BRICS will
focus on further strengthening cooperation along anti-terrorism,
anti-corruption and anti-drug lines, as well as in the field of international
information security, and continue coordinating the approaches of the BRICS
countries to resolving key foreign policy issues, including at such
international platforms as the UN, G20, and WTO.
They also consider it important to
increase humanitarian ties between our peoples, contacts between ordinary
people, and expand opportunities for mutual enrichment of the countries
included in the association.
The BRICS association sees a growing
interest of friendly, like-minded states around the world in developing
cooperation with BRICS. They are impressed by the basic principles on which
interaction is based: compliance with international law, respect for each
other’s interests and the right of each state to a sovereign choice of
development path. Responding to the desire of a wide range of countries to
strengthen ties with BRICS, the association has begun to develop modalities for
the category of partner states of the association. It is envisaged also to
actively use the outreach/BRICS plus dialogue mechanisms to interact with third
countries to make significant contributions to achieving practical results in
all areas of our strategic partnership.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at a
BRICS sherpa and sous-sherpa meeting on January 31, also outlined the agenda
parameters – related to the objective processes underway and deep
transformation of international architecture. This also connects the present-day
notion of multilateralism and the popular slogan of inclusiveness intended
change the global politics, security and the economy.
“Washington and its European satellites
are spending vast amounts of money to contain Russia, in stark contrast to the
Western capitals’ approach to the Global South, especially the African
countries. There are cases where support for Ukraine is financed by suspending
projects in Africa and the Middle East,” according to Lavrov.
Nevertheless, the Global Majority – the
states of Eurasia, the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, Africa, Latin
America and the Caribbean – gain a stronger foothold in the world system. Most
of these countries are increasingly asserting their national interests and
identities and striving for genuine strategic independence in pragmatic
pathways.
In principle, Russia’s BRICS
chairmanship is “Strengthening Multilateralism for Equitable Global Development
and Security” – and as BRICS is an association with mutual principles for the
Global South and East. Its basic principles are based on mutual respect, a
sovereign choice of development path and the implementation of the fundamental
principle of the UN Charter, that is, the sovereign equality of states.
Lavrov spoke about visible impact of the
turbulent geopolitical situation, the key trends of forming a multi-polar
world, emphasised the growing impact of the cultural and civilisational factor
on world politics, and the importance of facilitating various cooperation
mechanisms that would be resistant to the destructive actions of unfriendly
countries. He also pointed to successful creation of the New Development Bank
(NDB) and the BRICS Vaccine Research and Development Centre.
As an association, it follows the same
trends and on a global scale. BRICS represents a cooperation network for
regional and subregional processes in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. BRICS
association boasts an aggregate GDP, in terms of purchasing power parity, that
has reached about one third of the global value and has exceeded that of the G7
countries. BRICS accounts for 30 percent of dry land and 45 percent of the
world’s population, a substantial part of the global production of oil and
other resources, and about 25 percent of global exports. In a nutshell, the
association now has the ability to form a global agenda by consistently
upholding the interests of the Global Majority.
Kester Kenn Klomegah is an independent
researcher and a policy consultant on African affairs in the Russian Federation
and Eurasian Union. He has won media awards for highlighting economic diplomacy
in the region with Africa. Currently, Klomegah is a Special Representative for
Africa on the Board of the Russian Trade and Economic Development Council.
Eurasia Review
Source: www.eurasiareview.com