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In 2024, Russia took over the Brics chairmanship. The central theme of the Russian year in Brics has been "Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security". It reflects the desire of all participants for constructive cooperation based on the principles of international law, the values of equality, mutual respect and the sovereign choice of the path of development.
This year we have already worked in a renewed, expanded composition, and Russia, in its capacity as Brics chair, did everything to ensure that the new members would quickly and organically integrate into the Brics family. New participants realised that it is possible to achieve mutually beneficial results while respecting each other's interests. It is not surprising that all of them put forward useful, promising ideas and initiatives.
There were tangible results in the spheres of politics and security, economics and finance, humanitarian contacts. During the Russian chairmanship more than 250 events on various levels were held, with the participation of government officials and private sector -- a lot of public events. Among them the Brics International Film Festival, the Brics Academic Forum under the motto "BRICS: New Figures on the World Chessboard", the Brics Theatre Schools, the 8th Brics Creative Business Forum.
There was a meeting of foreign ministers of the Brics countries in which the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Maris Sangiampongsa also took part between June 10-11 in Nizhny Novgorod. More than 80 countries -- including Thailand -- took part in the Brics Sports Games in Kazan. PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra, in her capacity as leader of the Pheu Thai Party, participated in the first International Political Parties Forum attended by around 40 parties from Brics and partner countries.
Russia received Meeting of the Heads of the prosecutorial services, Brics Tourism Forum, Brics Twin Cities and Municipalities Forum, Meeting of the Heads of emergency services, 10th Brics Parliamentary Forum, Meeting of the Heads of the Supreme Audit Institutions, meetings of the Brics Ministers of Industry, Ministers of Labour and Employment, Ministers of Culture, Ministers of Justice, Energy Ministers, Communications Ministers, Science, Technology and Innovation Ministers, Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, Health Ministers, Heads of the Customs Services, Heads of tax administrations, Heads of National Standardisation bodies and many more. Russia chaired Brics Media Summit, 1st Brics Women's Forum, Brics Digital Forum, Brics plus Fashion Summit, annual Meeting of the Brics Business Council. Innovations during the Russian chairmanship also focused on local self-governance.
A municipal forum was held, featuring engaging discussions about everyday lives of citizens and how chairpersons of city and village councils address their challenges. The key event of the year was the Oct 22-24 summit in Kazan, which marked the opening of a new stage in the development of Brics. Delegations from 35 countries and six international organisations took part in it.
Such a broad representation clearly demonstrated the growing interest in interaction between those countries which are actively pursuing a truly independent, sovereign policy. A common desire to strengthen coordination at international platforms was confirmed, including on issues of reforming global governance and the global monetary and financial system, combating modern challenges and threats, including terrorism, corruption, and drug trafficking. The Brics Kazan Declaration actually summarised the discussions that took place.
It confirmed the commitment of all participants to building a more democratic, inclusive and multipolar world order based on international law and the UN Charter, recorded common determination to counter the practice of illegitimate sanctions. At the Brics summit the guidelines for institutional strengthening and further consolidation were outlined. The decision was made to create a category of "partner states".
It is important to point out that the Kingdom of Thailand received an invitation and became a partner-state of Brics. A commitment was expressed to developing dialogue with countries of the Global Majority in the "Outreach" or "BRICS plus" format. We witnessed the Brics gradual transformation into a leading player on the world stage.
Other achievements include the initiative on the creation of a grain exchange, establishment of a technological and investment platform, creation of a group for developments in the field of nuclear medicine. There are good prospects for strengthening industrial cooperation, implementation of new projects in energy, logistics, high technology and many other areas, intensification of interaction in cultural, scientific areas and sports, further promotion of contacts between civil societies and youth. In Kazan, we confirmed that Brics is not a closed format, it is open to all who share the values of Brics.
Its members are ready to work on finding joint solutions without external dictates or attempts to impose narrow approaches. Brics cannot fail to respond to the growing demand in the world for precisely this kind of cooperation. Brics plays an important role in the global architecture of international relations.
It represents almost 3.64 billion people, that is equivalent to more than 45% of the world population. One of its main tasks now is to maintain peace and stability, prevent the outbreak of a global war.
We believe that Brics is capable of completing such tasks and will be able to help the world reach these noble goals. The results of the current year will become a solid foundation for further cooperation. Russia is handing over the Brics chairmanship functions to Brazil.
We wish our Brazilian partners success in its Brics endeavours next year. Evgeny Tomikhin is Ambassador of Russia to Thailand..
