How BRICS is shaping multipolar space

After decades of Western dominance, BRICS is steadily assembling its own space architecture, combining the technical capabilities of China, Russia, and India with the ambitions of emerging members from the Global South. Joint programmes, from satellite constellations to orbital stations and lunar missions, are shaping an autonomous space ecosystem supported by shared infrastructure and rising private-sector participation.

At the same time, the group is promoting alternative governance principles focused on inclusion and peaceful use of orbit, positioning itself against NATO’s militarisation trend. Together, these dynamics point to the emergence of a new spatial order, where astropolitics reflects the broader multipolar system taking shape on earth.

📎 Read more in the article by Andrea Alberti, Research Fellow at the Italian Space Agency under the European Space Policy Institute, Participant of the BRICS International School: New Generation 2025 published in the BRICS Business Magazine

#ANALYTICS #BRICSSchool #space

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Russian Foreign Ministry: BRICS has made progress in key areas of cooperation

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and BRICS Sherpa Sergey Ryabkov took part in the BRICS countries’ sherpa/sous-sherpa meeting, which concluded Brazil's Chairship and was held on December 11-12 in Brasilia. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the meeting summarised the results of the year and noted progress in key areas of cooperation.

"The participants reviewed this year’s cooperation outcomes. More than 260 political, economic, and humanitarian events, including the BRICS Summit and nearly 20 ministerial meetings, took place this year," the statement said. "The contribution of the Brazilian Chairship to ensuring continuity of the BRICS strategic partnership was noted, along with progress achieved across all key areas such as politics and security, the economy and finance, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges".

The Foreign Ministry highlighted the achievements of the year: the launch of the #BRICS Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases, the adoption of leadership statements on climate finance and global governance in the field of artificial intelligence.

Cooperation in the fields of energy, healthcare, transport, science, and innovation has gained additional momentum, as noted. Dialogue has also continued on the initiatives of the Russian Chairship in 2024, including the creation of an independent settlement infrastructure, an investment platform, and a BRICS grain exchange.

#NEWS #diplomacy

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India presented key areas of work for its BRICS Chairship in 2026

During the final meeting of the BRICS countries’ sherpa/sous-sherpa meeting under the Brazilian Chairship, Indian partners outlined the strategic priorities for India's future Chairship in the group in 2026.

The main efforts will focus on the following areas: strengthening multilateral cooperation, reforming global governance institutions, and ensuring energy and food security. In addition, the agenda will include issues such as stimulating innovation and technological cooperation, combating terrorism and transnational crime, as well as eradicating poverty and countering climate change.

The program presented by India demonstrates a commitment to a comprehensive approach to addressing pressing global challenges.

#NEWS #India

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In honour of the upcoming New Year, a festive Christmas tree has been placed in our office. It is decorated in the colours of the Russian tricolour — this symbol of unity reflects our shared spirit and readiness for new challenges.

It is in this vein that we are completing key projects for the outgoing year and, at the same time, preparing for a major event — the BRICS International School: New Generation in Nizhny Novgorod.

May the lights of this New Year tree illuminate our path into the New Year — towards bright events and new professional achievements!

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Word of the Week: Russia-BRICS Project Office for International Youth Cooperation

The Russia-BRICS Project Office for International Youth Cooperation is a Russian platform dedicated to fostering dialogue, sharing expertise, and launching joint initiatives among young people from the 🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊 nations.

Established in 🕊🕊🕊🕊 by the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh), it operates in Ulyanovsk as the coordination hub for international youth programmes, forums, and educational projects.

📊 The Office's primary mission is to align the efforts of federal and regional authorities, civil society organisations, and the student community to support systematic engagement between the youth of Russia and the BRICS countries.

⭐Key areas of work:
✔Implementing international youth projects and educational programmes
✔Developing intercultural dialogue and joint initiatives
✔Supporting youth organisations and building sustainable partnerships
✔Contributing to the BRICS youth agenda and strengthening people-to-people ties

🌍 The Russia-BRICS Project Office plays an essential role in cultivating the next generation of global leaders, deepening friendship, mutual understanding, and cooperation among young people across the #BRICS community.

#wordoftheweek

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📆 On December 15 at 13:00 Moscow Time (GMT+3), the Valdai Club will host an expert discussion “Decolonisation: 65 Years On.”

Sixty-five years ago, UN General Assembly Resolution 1514, “On the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples,” was adopted. It became a key global document in the fight against colonialism and symbolically concluded the 1960 “Year of Africa” by granting independence to a significant number of African states.

The resolution retains its political significance today. The legacy of colonialism – inequality, poverty in developing countries, and dependence on the collective West – has not yet been overcome and demands ever-greater solidarity from the World Majority states. It is no coincidence that the fight against neo-colonialism is a constant focus of BRICS.

Russia continues to support developing countries in this struggle.

❓What challenges are developing countries facing today?
❓How are new neo-colonial practices emerging?
❓What place does countering neo-colonialism occupy on the BRICS agenda?

Participants in the Valdai Discussion Club will try to answer these and other questions.

🎙️ Speakers:

🇷🇺 Tatiana Dovgalenko, Director, Department of Partnership with Africa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

🇿🇦 Rasigan Maharajh, Director General, Tshwane University of Technology; Research Fellow, Tellus Institute; Member of the Canon Collins Trust; Member of the South African Academy of Sciences

🇮🇩 Hendra Manurung, Lecturer, Department of Military Diplomacy, Faculty of Defense Strategy, Indonesian Defense University (RIDU) (Indonesia)

🇷🇺 Denis Degterev, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the Institute for African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences; Professor, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Chief Researcher, Institute for African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences

🇷🇺 Elena Kharitonova, Senior Researcher, Institute for African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences

🇧🇷 Marco Fernandes, Brazil's representative to the BRICS Civil Council, geopolitical analyst at the online publication Brasil de Fato (Brazil)

Moderator:

🗣 Oleg Barabanov, Programme Director, Valdai Discussion Club

Working languages: Russian, English.

ℹ️ Information for the media: In order to get accredited for the event, please fill out the form on our web site. Accreditation closes on December 8 at 12:00 Moscow Time (GMT+3). If you have any questions about the event, please call +79269307763.

Links to the live broadcast of the discussion will be posted on all online platforms of the Valdai Club: on the website, X (formerly Twitter), VK, Telegram and Dzen.

https://valdaiclub.com/events/announcements/valdai-club-to-discuss-countering-neo-colonialism/

#WorldMajority_WorldOrder #Africa #decolonisation

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In touch with BRICS: news digest

A snapshot of BRICS last week—what’s moving markets and shaping policies

✔Registration for the first regional BRICS International School: New Generation in Nizhny Novgorod is open

✔Victoria Panova took part in "Dialogue for the Future – 2025"

✔Eight countries participated in a BRICS working group meeting in Tehran

✔History of Chinese writing and its significance for China's contemporary language policy discussed at Inostranka

✔Nigeria contemplates full BRICS membership

✔Russia and India to strengthen climate cooperation within BRICS, SCO, and G20

✔Russian Foreign Ministry stated that BRICS has made progress in key areas of cooperation

✔India presented key areas of work for its #BRICS Chairship in 2026

#BRICSExpertCouncilDIGEST

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Russian Foreign Ministry: BRICS nations to launch database on anti-corruption activities

BRICS plans to launch an open electronic database documenting the anti-corruption practices of its member states. This was announced by Dmitry Lyubinsky, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

"An open electronic database on BRICS anti-corruption initiatives will be launched shortly, making this information publicly accessible and preserving the group's accumulated expertise in this field," Lyubinsky stated on the sidelines of the 11th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption.

The diplomat highlighted that Russia is "actively advancing anti-corruption cooperation under the Convention and in other relevant multilateral forums," with the #BRICS Anti-Corruption Working Group being a key platform. Notably, under Russia's 2024 Chairship, the group developed a common vision and a joint action plan for asset recovery.

#NEWS #finance

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Go global with HSE University

Are you interested in pursuing studies abroad and gaining a unique cultural experience? 🌍

We invite you to join our webinar and discover what student life is like at HSE University, one of Russia’s leading academic institutions. You will learn about the university's academic programmes offered in English and Russian.

The session will cover student accommodation, typical living expenses, campus life and extracurricular activities, along with other relevant information.

🔥 Date and time: December 17, 4:00 PM (Moscow time)
📎 Join the webinar here
Conference ID: 865 2102 4652
Access code: 188081

#ANNOUNCEMENT #HSEUniversity #youth #education

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Iran proposes to create a BRICS network of research labs

Iran has proposed the establishment of a shared network of research laboratories for the BRICS countries. The initiative aims to reduce research costs and narrow the technological gap between member nations. The proposal was presented at a meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Research Infrastructure and Megascience Projects and was supported by participants.

According to Iranian Vice President for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy Hossein Afshin, the key point is sharing access to costly laboratory equipment. This approach would lower the expenses on building laboratory infrastructure and improve access to advanced technologies.

The proposal builds on Iran’s existing national lab network. The #BRICS countries have agreed to examine this model in detail for potential adaptation.

#NEWS #Iran #technology

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Adviser to Brazilian President expressed BRICS' desire for an alternative to US dollar

BRICS members do not oppose the use of the US dollar in global trade but emphasise the importance of developing alternative mechanisms for international settlements. This was stated by Celso Amorim, Chief Advisor to the President of Brazil for Foreign Policy.

"Many are asking: will the dollar be abandoned? No one is planning to do so. The United States is a vast country whose economy remains extremely important for the entire world. But we still need an alternative," he noted.

According to Amorim, the BRICS countries continue to explore possible options for financial settlements between members of the group.

"There is continued discussion about the possibility of BRICS moving to trade in national currencies. Yes, that is one option," noted the Brazilian President's Adviser. "For now, however, all these proposals remain at the discussion stage."

Earlier in December, Russian President Vladimir Putin urged a measured approach to creating a common BRICS currency. According to the Russian leader, #BRICS currently has no goal of establishing a single currency, but member states should expand the mutual use of their national currencies.

#NEWS #finance

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Russian Foreign Minister describes SCO and BRICS as a new, non-bureaucratic model

BRICS and SCO represent a new form of international grouping, free from bureaucratic dominance and based on the principles of the UN Charter, stated Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

"BRICS and the SCO are indeed new types of international groups. They differ from structures like the European Union, or what it has become, and from the North Atlantic Alliance, which is also significantly shaped by its rigid discipline. Both the EU and NATO are subject to the will of their administrative executive leaders: the President of the European Commission and the Secretary General of NATO," the Minister said.

According to Lavrov, both the #SCO and #BRICS operate on the principles enshrined in the #UN Charter, which "have stood the test of many decades."

#NEWS #diplomacy

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On December 15, colleagues from the Valdai Discussion Club held a discussion noscriptd "Decolonisation: 65 Years On," dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.

Celebrating this important date, we would like to revisit our own study, "Colonialism 3.0: The Origins and Methods of Modern Western Globalism," prepared in partnership with TASS Russian News Agency in 2024 as part of Russia's BRICS Chairship.

#NEWS #BRICSExpertCouncil #BRICSExpertCouncilRussia

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BRICS University Rankings have been published

The Association of Rating Compilers (ARC) has released the second edition of its pilot BRICS University Rankings. In 2025, the geographical scope has expanded by 10 countries compared to the previous edition, encompassing 20 members of the group.

The ranking includes 750 universities, 75% of which are located in five countries: China (216 institutions), Russia (169), India (97), Brazil (56), and Iran (28). Among Russian institutions, 34 are medical universities. From other nations, the list features 37 specialised universities: 17 from China, 9 from Iran, 5 from Kazakhstan, 3 from Belarus, and one each from India, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia.

The top three universities in the 2025 rankings are Peking University (1st place), Lomonosov Moscow State University (2nd place), and Saint Petersburg State University (3rd place). HSE University placed 8th.

#NEWS #education

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Malaysian Ambassador: Malaysia's participation in BRICS is important for promoting relations with Russia

Malaysia's cooperation and participation in BRICS is important for developing relations with Russia. This was stated by the Malaysia’s ambassador to Russia, Cheong Lun Lai.

"Since Malaysia became a partner, we have been invited to participate in many discussions, meetings, and other events organised under the auspices of BRICS. Of course, we see that all these opportunities have been mutually beneficial," he said. "It is also important that the interests of the Global South and its problems are taken into account. And this is a good opportunity for members and partner countries to sit down, talk, and find possible solutions to the problems we face today in the current geopolitical situation. At the same time, I think that the #BRICS movement will continue to be interesting for us; it is of great value in improving bilateral relations between Malaysia and Russia."

According to the diplomat, Malaysia sees value in becoming a member of BRICS:

"In the context of BRICS, I think Russia has played an important role since we became a partner country. We were accepted as a partner country when Russia was chairing BRICS last year," the ambassador noted.

#NEWS #Malaysia

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In touch with BRICS: news digest

Breaking down BRICS agenda—key collaborations and new initiatives

✔Russian Foreign Ministry: BRICS nations to launch database on anti-corruption activities

✔Iran proposes to create a BRICS network of research labs

✔Adviser to Brazilian President expressed BRICS' desire for an alternative to US dollar

✔Russian Foreign Minister describes SCO and BRICS as a new, non-bureaucratic model

✔BRICS University Rankings have been published

✔Malaysian Ambassador: Malaysia's participation in BRICS is important for promoting relations with Russia

#BRICSExpertCouncilDIGEST

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Russian Foreign Minister: BRICS does not aim to become a full-fledged international organisation

There are currently no plans to transform BRICS into a full-fledged international organisation. This was stated by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Russia’s BRICS Sherpa Sergey Ryabkov in an interview published on the PIR Centre website.

The Deputy Minister highlighted that BRICS has evolved considerably since its founding, passing through several phases of qualitative development:

"It began as an informal dialogue platform and has grown into a complex, multi faceted mechanism for interstate cooperation across a wide range of areas. At the same time, we have been able to avoid excessive bureaucracy and rigid institutional structures. This ensures dialogue on an equal footing and allows us to develop effective collective responses to current challenges—without any ‘top down’ overstructure," Ryabkov added.

He reiterated that turning BRICS into a full fledged international organisation is not currently under consideration. The Deputy Minister noted that the group already possesses a well established framework for financial, trade, and economic cooperation.

"Interaction takes place through relevant national agencies and business communities. This model is proving effective at this stage and is unlikely to need revision. As our English speaking colleagues say: 'Don’t fix what isn’t broken.' That is the principle we follow," he emphasised.

📎 Full interview is available on the PIR Centre website (in Russian)

#NEWS #OPINION

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Brazil’s ambassador to Russia: None of BRICS members wants to leave the group

None of BRICS member states intends to leave the group; on the contrary, many countries are eager to join. This was stated by the Brazilian Ambassador to Russia Sérgio Rodrigues dos Santos.

"I think that first of all, when we talk about BRICS, it is important to emphasise that this association is not against any country or group of countries. It is a platform based on political and economic cooperation between participants, aimed both at their own benefit and at the benefit of the countries of the Global South and the international community as a whole," the diplomat stressed.

The Brazilian ambassador noted that BRICS serves as a constructive force in strengthening an increasingly inclusive and democratic multipolar world order.

"As for statements about a possible withdrawal of countries from BRICS, as far as I know, not a single country has expressed such an intention. On the contrary, there is a long list of countries wishing to join BRICS," he added.

#NEWS #Brazil

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'Ghana Needs to Reduce Its Dependence on Traditional Western Markets by Expanding Trade With BRICS Nations': Expert

🎯One of the initiatives aimed at achieving this goal is the development of a maritime transport network linking Ghana with neighboring West African countries, including Togo, Benin, and Nigeria.

The network offers a sea-based alternative to congested road travel, helping to mitigate unforeseen accidents and delays, according to John Aggrey, CEO of the Ghana-Russia Center for Commerce and Relations.

🔸The project is expected to reduce transportation costs, diversify revenue streams, and increase trade efficiency for Ghana’s economy.

"By improving connectivity and reducing trade barriers, this initiative is expected to boost trade volumes and economic cooperation among West African countries," Aggrey told Sputnik Africa.

✅This maritime project aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement, which aims to enhance regional trade and economic integration—a goal that this transport network directly supports.

"I believe that, over time, we will be on par with other global ports of entry," Aggrey emphasized, highlighting the potential for innovation and future growth.

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