The 16th BRICS Summit is set to take place from October 22 to 24 in Kazan, Russia, marking the first meeting since the expansion of BRICS membership. During a recent roundtable discussion held in Moscow, several Russian experts shared insights on the future prospects and advantages of BRICS in various fields, including economics, politics, society, and culture.
Boris Mezhuev, a political scholar from Moscow State University, emphasized the significance of BRICS as a unifying platform for countries with diverse political systems, economic structures, and cultural traditions. He noted that the group embodies the principles of multipolarity and fosters consensus on sovereignty and individual development, positioning itself as a genuine forum for equal economic and political dialogue.
Alexey Marinin, a member of the “Digoria” expert club and co-founder of the International Center for Exchange and Cooperation, described BRICS as a coalition focused on development. He clarified that BRICS is not an “anti-Western” organization; its members can also belong to other international or regional groups. Instead of fostering confrontation or geopolitical conflict, BRICS aims to create opportunities for economic, political, and cultural advancement among its member nations. Marinin pointed out that the concept of a multipolar world is not merely theoretical but can be observed in concrete initiatives, such as the establishment of new trade routes and dialogue platforms for cultural exchanges and infrastructure projects. He is confident that BRICS will overcome challenges and emerge stronger, thereby enhancing the representation and voice of countries in the Global South and playing a more significant role in the reform and improvement of global governance systems.
Alexandra Morozkina, deputy director of the World Economy and Politics Department at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, highlighted one of BRICS’s key achievements: the establishment of the New Development Bank. She explained that the bank plays a critical role in the current sustainable development landscape, mobilizing resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS countries and other developing nations, thereby increasingly contributing to the realization of sustainable development goals.
