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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Russian Trade Representative: India's Chairship in BRICS will strengthen cooperation with Russia

India’s BRICS Chairship in 2026 will give additional momentum to Russian-Indian cooperation, stated Andrey Sobolev, Russia’s Trade Representative in New Delhi.

"In 2026, we expect continued active Russian-Indian engagement across different levels. India’s BRICS Chairship in the coming year will create additional momentum for dialogue and a favourable environment to expand trade and economic ties between our nations," he said.

According to Andrey Sobolev, the key focus in 2026 will be the practical implementation of agreements reached during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to India and the Russia-India Business Forum in New Delhi, along with more active involvement of businesses in specific projects.

"In general, 2026 is viewed as an important milestone for deepening cooperation between Russia and India—transitioning from framework agreements to the execution of specific initiatives and building lasting partnerships between the business communities of the two countries," stated Russia’s Trade Representative in India.

#NEWS #RussiaIndia

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🔥 On December 29, 2025, we will invite you for an online launch of Security Index Yearbook Global Digital Edition Volume Two (2026-2027) (in English). This is more than 550 pages, 10 Parts, 29 Chapters, written by leading Russian experts, former presidents, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Ambassadors. The Global Edition contains 118 graphs, 25 maps, 18 tables, OSINT data based on the original PIR Center's methodology, and much more. Paperback Edition is scheduled for the 1st quarter of 2026, with its distribution in more than 60 countries of the world. This is a joint project by "PIR Center - MGIMO University Consortium" in the framework of Priority-2030 Program.

🔎 The Security Index Yearbook Vol. 2 is available on our website.

📌 Without waiting for the official launch, today we invite you to read an exclusive interview from this volume of the Yearbook: “The Greatest Common Denominator: BRICS Cooperation in the Context of New Global Transformations” with Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Ryabkov.

🍀 Amid accelerating global changes and the increasing fragmentation of the international system, BRICS remains a key platform for dialogue among nations with diverse development paths, political interests, and strategic goals. In the context of a crisis in traditional global governance institutions, such formats are increasingly serving as spaces to find new common ground and explore alternative approaches to international cooperation.

Sergey Ryabkov: Integrating newcomers into the established BRICS architecture and generally ensuring the smoothness of this process was one of the priorities of our 2024 BRICS Chairship. All BRICS members acknowledge that we have accomplished this task quite effectively. We have now entered, I believe, the second stage of expansion. I will not speculate here about when, who, and in what capacity will have further rapprochement with BRICS. Opportunities exist for this, including through the creation of a category of partner states. BRICS already has quite a few of these – countries that have recently achieved this status.

👉 Read more

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📖 Word of the week: BRICS Youth Energy Agency

The BRICS Youth Energy Agency is one of the key international platforms bringing together young professionals from BRICS countries in the fields of energy, sustainable development and climate agenda.

The initiative was launched in 🕊🕊🕊🕊 after the 1st BRICS Youth Summit in Kazan and quickly became a large-scale mechanism for youth cooperation.

🗣️ Key areas of activity:
✔developing youth cooperation in the field of energy and sustainable development;
✔holding the annual BRICS Youth Energy Summit;
✔participation in international dialogues on energy and climate, including cooperation with the UN and relevant organisations;
✔preparation of the BRICS Youth Energy Outlook, a flagship study of young leaders' views on the future of energy.

⭐Recognition within the BRICS system:

The activities of the BRICS Energy Agency are supported by the energy ministers of the association's member countries and included in the BRICS Energy Cooperation Roadmap.

Today, the Agency is one of the flagships of youth cooperation in the field of energy and climate. Its partner network extends far beyond 🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊, including organisations in North America, Europe, Africa, as well as international institutions such as the UN, SEforALL, and CEM.

#wordoftheweek

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In touch with BRICS: news digest

Breaking down BRICS agenda—key collaborations and new initiatives

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

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

✔Ghana needs to reduce its dependence on traditional Western markets by expanding trade with BRICS nations

✔Russian Trade Representative: India's Chairship in #BRICS will strengthen cooperation with Russia

#BRICSExpertCouncilDIGEST

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Rosatom to host the 1st BRICS Quantum Forum in 2026

Rosatom State Corporation, with the support of the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media, will host the inaugural BRICS Quantum Forum. The event will be held in Moscow on April 14, 2026, coinciding with World Quantum Day.

The forum will bring together government representatives, business leaders, and prominent scientists from the #BRICS member states and partner countries.

"In 2025, our scholars reaffirmed Russia’s strong position in quantum research and the development of quantum computer prototypes, achieving a performance benchmark of 70 or more qubits across three machines. With this significant capability, we support fair access to advanced technologies for all nations, because the ultimate goal of scientific and technological progress is to improve quality of life worldwide. We fully endorse the desire of countries to collaborate in future-oriented technologies and to include quantum technologies on the BRICS agenda. I am confident that the BRICS Quantum Forum to be held in Russia in 2026 will be a first-class event," commented Yekaterina Solntseva, Director for Quantum Technologies at Rosatom.

A call for joint development in quantum technology as a priority was included in the final declaration of the XVII BRICS Summit, held in July 2025 in Rio de Janeiro.

#NEWS #technology

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BRICS 2025: Unity is Strength

The group constantly faces persistent tensions with Western countries. What is its response?

♥️🤍 Sputnik looks back at 2025, a year dedicated to renewed partnerships and the creation of new financial mechanisms.

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