Russia
Source: en.interaffairs.ru

China and its partners in the Brics group of developing countries will increasingly stand up for international co-operation as the US withdraws under President Donald Trump, a top Brazilian diplomat said. “China and developing nations are today the main defenders of the multilateral system,” President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s top foreign policy adviser Celso Amorim told ‘The Financial Times’ in an interview. “What’s fundamental is to have rules which are multilaterally accepted.”

The comments reflect a global trend of countries focusing on relationships that do not involve the US, as Trump imposes blanket tariffs and threatens long-standing allies. “As the United States steps back from multilateralism, from the economic and social order which they themselves created after the second world war, the space for the Brics increases,” said Amorim, 82, who has guided Brazilian foreign policy over more than three decades, mostly at Lula’s side.

Brasília will push for deeper co-operation between the Brics grouping — led by founders Russia, India, China, and Brazil — at a July summit in Rio de Janeiro. The focus will be key Lula priorities such as tackling poverty and boosting sustainable development, as well as energy and economic co-operation.

Latin America’s biggest nation, Amorim is at pains to point out, “does not have exclusive alliances” but wants good relations with all major powers.

He argued that if Brazil boosted the Brics, this would help the G20 group of developed and developing nations. “The strengthening of the Brics has given force to the G20,” he said, citing last year’s well-attended G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro as an example.

Ultimately, Amorim thinks a world order without Washington is impossible. “Little by little, we will have to attract the United States again,” he said. In the meantime, Brazil will try to avoid conflict with the US but “we’re also not going to stop giving our opinion”.

Trump’s tariffs, he believes, create “an enormous risk of returning to the 1930s”.

Washington’s big rival China is by far Brazil’s main export market and relations between Beijing and Brasília are close, with Amorim counting Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi as a “very good friend”.

But he stressed that each country had its own path and that “we don’t have to copy anyone’s model”.

Brazil has not signed up to Beijing’s flagship Belt and Road infrastructure initiative, in contrast with most of Latin America.

“I told him I don’t have anything against Belt and Road but it has to come with content,” the veteran Brazilian diplomat said of his talks with Wang. “It can’t be something we sign up to and then see what happens. He understood perfectly.”

Brazil has also taken a different line on Brics expansion to China. It welcomed the entry of Indonesia but did not want, Amorim said, to reproduce a previous developing world bloc, the Non-Aligned Movement, because that group was too large to agree on practical action.

Reflecting Brazil’s all-embracing diplomacy and his own long diplomatic career, including two stints as foreign minister and one as defence minister, Amorim said he had good relationships with key aides to Russia’s Vladimir Putin and with top Americans, such as Jake Sullivan when the latter advised Joe Biden as president.

Russia
Source: mid.ru

Sergey Lavrov to take part in BRICS Foreign Ministers Council meeting

On April 28 and 29, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will take part in a full-scale meeting of BRICS foreign ministers in Rio de Janeiro.

Held as part of Brazil’s chairmanship, the upcoming meeting will offer an effective opportunity for discussing in a detailed and meaningful manner the latest international developments, as well as efforts to settle crises and conflicts, and potential for improving global governance by enabling the Global Majority to play a bigger role in international affairs.

The ministers will review progress in carrying out the agreements reached by the BRICS leaders, and will also outline further steps for expanding strategic cooperation in the run-up to the 17th BRICS Summit, which is scheduled to take place on July 6 and 7 in Rio de Janeiro.

The agenda of the upcoming BRICS Foreign Ministers Council meeting includes a dedicated session for foreign ministers from BRICS partner states, titled The Role of the Global South in Strengthening Multipolarity. You will remember that the decision to create this partner category was adopted at the October 2024 BRICS Summit in Kazan as part of the Russian chairmanship.

Question: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told RT that Tehran is ready to expand trilateral discussions among Iran, Russia and China that addressed Iran’s nuclear programme in the last few months to include other issues. Could you explain the Russian Foreign Ministry’s view on this proposal?
Maria Zakharova: Russia and Iran maintain close and continuous coordination on a broad range of international issues of mutual interest. This collaboration is particularly evident in their engagement within the United Nations, the IAEA, and other international and multilateral platforms, including BRICS and the SCO.

Moscow, Beijing and Tehran regularly align their positions on regional developments, joint projects, and strategic areas of cooperation. These efforts are aimed at advancing the creation of a stable and inclusive multipolar international order, supporting sustainable global development, and addressing the complex challenges facing the international community today.

We are guided by the shared interest of our three countries in the steady expansion of relevant consultations, which continue to take place at various levels, both through direct intergovernmental dialogue and within the framework of specialised forums involving Russia, China, and Iran.

Question: Recently, a large group of Japanese political figures, including over 70 members of parliament, visited the Yasukuni Shinto shrine. This event sparked strong reactions from neighbouring countries. Notably, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea issued a sharply worded statement expressing its disapproval. How would you comment on this development?

Maria Zakharova: We have already addressed the issue of Japanese militarism today.

The Yasukuni Shrine remains a highly controversial symbol of Japan’s militaristic past. As is widely known, it honours, among others, Class-A war criminals who were sentenced to death by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East. According to available information, on April 21, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, the chairs of both chambers of the Japanese parliament, and two current cabinet ministers sent ritual offerings to the shrine. The event was marked by a notable degree of ceremony and solemnity.

We strongly condemn this practice, which appears especially provocative in the year marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. We have repeatedly stressed that such actions by Tokyo deeply offend the sentiments of the peoples of neighbouring countries who endured immense suffering as a result of Japan’s brutal expansionist policies and military aggression in the first half of the 20th century. This gesture clearly reflects the broader trajectory of the current Japanese leadership, which seems aimed at accelerated remilitarisation rooted in an ongoing reluctance to acknowledge historical responsibility and a lack of genuine remorse.

We once again urge Japan to abandon attempts to whitewash the darker chapters of its past and to fully recognise and accept the outcomes of World War II.

Question: There have been reports that Russia is working on establishing an international mutual settlements system based on gold parity. How do Russia’s BRICS partners regard the possibility of creating a single currency backed by gold?

Maria Zakharova: In the context of the accelerated fragmentation of the global economy, our main task is to ensure conditions for the sustainable development of the association’s economies. The new geopolitical reality requires us to develop effective measures and further steps to enhance financial and economic cooperation.

De-dollarisation, which is clearly emerging as a global trend, was initiated by the Biden administration. It was not other nations that started moving away from the dollar in mutual settlements; rather, it was President Biden’s administration that effectively restricted access to the US dollar for a number of countries. This paradox is now acknowledged even by the current US leadership. In fact, it was the Biden administration that set this precedent and inadvertently spurred a broader global shift towards de-dollarisation.

I have been closely following the statements made by the Russian leadership on this matter. There have been a number of statements, including those made during the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. We said that we never abandoned this instrument; it was forcibly taken from us and blocked by representatives of the Biden administration, which they did out of anger, just to settle scores with us. So, we began to explore other mechanisms to be able to live and develop. It was strange to witness all of this. Joe Biden and the entire American liberal democratic crowd have done a lot of strange things.

All of this is now taking place as a result of growing mistrust towards the financial mechanisms established by Western countries, which is rooted in the way these very countries have chosen to utilise those mechanisms. In this context, not only BRICS members, but also many other nations, are actively seeking to develop more reliable alternative systems to shield themselves from disruptions, including those driven by the policies of American liberal democrats.

The member countries’ primary focus now is on creating conditions for the broader use of national currencies in mutual settlements. This is a challenging task. The structural transformation of the global financial system is not something that can be accomplished overnight. Nevertheless, all member countries remain committed to achieving tangible progress and are prepared to deepen cooperation in this area. They understand that, in the face of the chaos fostered by the Biden administration, it is crucial to establish stable foundations that support survival, sustainable development, and a return to normality.

Efforts to establish payment mechanisms that are resilient to external risks, primarily based on the use of national currencies, has been underway for quite some time. Preliminary results of this work are enshrined in the Kazan Declaration, adopted during the BRICS Summit on October 22-24, 2024, which outlines several specific projects: the cross-border payment initiative, the establishment of a settlement and clearing infrastructure and a reinsurance company, as well as the New Investment Platform. These initiatives are aimed at creating favourable conditions for the growth of trade and investment among BRICS countries.

We anticipate that their implementation will continue this year under the Brazilian presidency.

Brazil
Source: brics.br

BRICS discusses impacts of climate change and just transition on the world of labor
Representatives of the group met in Brasilia to discuss climate challenges, advocating for a just transition, protection of the most vulnerable, and integrated public policies.

The impacts of climate change on employment and the transition to a more sustainable economy have become increasingly relevant in BRICS discussions, reflecting growing awareness of these issues. On Tuesday and Wednesday, April 22–23, representatives from the countries that make up the group met in Brasília to define actions aimed at promoting decent work and developing the job market.

At the event opening, Brasil's Minister of Work and Employment, Luiz Marinho, stressed the importance of a just transition towards a sustainable economy, highlighting the country's role in promoting inclusive policies. "The transition cannot be seen merely as an economic strategy but as a social need. This change must be inclusive, generating quality jobs and offering protection to the most vulnerable. This is essential both for the present and for the future of work.”

“If the countries unite to act with structure, definition, and joint actions, we will be able to protect all workers. We will be able to bring in the partners — the workers and the companies — to discuss with us and protect everyone. We can no longer discuss this in isolation.” She concluded by highlighting the fact that addressing the climate crisis required coordinated efforts among the countries."

Echoing Marinho's remarks, Kgomotso Letoaba, Deputy Director of International Relations at South Africa's Department of Labour and Employment, emphasized not only the significance of the issues discussed during the technical meetings —such as artificial intelligence, just transition, and employment challenges faced by youth and vulnerable groups— but also the importance of multilateralism, both among countries and within each nation, across different levels of government.

“All these discussions are extremely relevant. In South Africa, for example, we are working with various government departments because this is not simply a labor issue, but also a social one,” he stated.

The South African representative emphasized that impacts on the labor market directly affect communities, requiring a broader approach: “When we talk about the impacts on jobs, we are also talking about the impacts on communities — and this entails many other important aspects.”

According to Letoaba, the BRICS meetings represent an opportunity for the exchange of experiences: “This is one of the reasons we are here — to support the Brazilian presidency, take part in the discussions on this topic, and also to learn. It is very important to observe what Brazil and other countries are doing so that we might create similar legislation and implement it in our own country.”

In the debate arena

Discussions have been based on the commitments set out in the Paris Agreement and underscore the need for public policies that ensure social protection, workforce reskilling, and job security for the most vulnerable workers, such as those with lower education levels and women. The concept of a “just transition” is being redefined to ensure that no worker is left behind in this transformation process.

Among the main themes discussed over the two days were:

• Mitigation of climate impacts: addressing the specific effects of climate change and climate policies on employment;
• Promotion of a just transition: developing policies and strategies for an inclusive transition that creates job opportunities;
• Engagement of key partners and promotion of social dialogue to generate decent jobs;
• Integration of health and occupational safety concerns into public policies to address the impacts of climate change.

Maíra Lacerda, head of the Special Advisory on International Issues at the Brazilian Ministry of Labor and Employment, who coordinated the technical group, emphasized that the effects of climate change are being felt across the world, regardless the level of development.

““What has climate change shown us? That, in fact, no country is an island. It brings impacts and challenges — including emergencies — to both emerging and developed countries. Everyone is experiencing this in a way that makes its existence undeniable. And we cannot afford to work in isolation.”

In this sense, Lacerda stressed the importance of multilateral forums as spaces for joint coordination.

“If the countries unite to act with structure, definition, and joint actions, we will be able to protect all workers. We will be able to bring in the partners — the workers and the companies — to discuss with us and protect everyone. We can no longer discuss this in isolation.” She concluded by highlighting the fact that addressing the climate crisis required coordinated efforts among the countries.

According to Anjali Rawat, deputy director-general of India’s Ministry of Labour and Employment, this collaboration is extremely important because it allows countries to understand the way others are thinking and how they are developing their policies and guiding their actions.

“When we participate in a delegation or a forum such as this one, we bring ideas based on our own reality. Our countries face similar challenges, and having this first-hand experience exchange is extremely valuable. By observing the good practices followed by other countries, we can incorporate elements to our own systems — and the opposite is also true. We can share what we have been doing with them and they can adopt our practices.”

Anjali Rawat stressed that each nation has its specificities and that it precisely why the dialogue becomes so enriching.

“We come from the same basis of comparison, with common goals. This involves all sectors: labor, education, professional training. Naturally, each country has its challenges and ways of thinking, but when we put it all together, these contributions become extremely valuable.”

Artificial Intelligence

In February of this year, the BRICS technical group met to discuss the impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) on the future of work. The advancement of this technology has been transforming the labor market, leading to the emergence of new occupations and forms of work, such as those carried out through digital platforms.

Among the discussion topics was the need to ensure labor rights and social protection for these workers, as well as to foster a culture of continuous learning that can prepare the workforce for the challenges of the digital economy. On that occasion, the International Labour Organization (ILO) warned that, if poorly implemented, AI could worsen inequalities and lead to job losses, particularly in cognitive roles.

Joint Declaration

Following the conclusion of the second day of discussions among the members of the Technical Group, the next step will be the Ministerial Meeting at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia, scheduled for next Friday, April 25. At that time, the Joint Declaration will be signed, outlining the commitments made by the countries to address the transformations in the world of work brought about by climate change and the technological revolution.

India
Source: www.tribuneindia.com


BRICS Sherpa Secretary (ER) Dammu Ravi participated in the BRICS Sherpas Meeting being held in Rio de Janeiro. During the meeting, the participants discussed multilateralism, sustainable development, and the enhancement of intra-BRICS cooperation.

Rio de Janeiro [Brazil], April 26 (ANI): BRICS Sherpa Secretary (ER) Dammu Ravi participated in the BRICS Sherpas Meeting being held in Rio de Janeiro. During the meeting, the participants discussed multilateralism, sustainable development, and the enhancement of intra-BRICS cooperation.

In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "BRICS Sherpa Secretary (ER) Dammu Ravi participated in the #BRICS Sherpas' Meeting being held in Rio de Janeiro. The meeting featured constructive discussions on multilateralism, sustainable development and enhancing intra-BRICS cooperation."

Earlier on March 25, the 10th BRICS Policy Planning Dialogue concluded in Brasilia, convening policy planners from the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, along with senior representatives from the newly expanded BRICS membership, covering pressing global geopolitical issues and regional developments, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated in a press release.

Hosted by Brazil's current BRICS President, the two-day event from March 24-25 laid the groundwork for the upcoming BRICS Summit later this year. The Indian delegation was led by Raghuram S, the Joint Secretary of Policy Planning and Research of the MEA.

According to the release, the dialogue offered a platform to assess the bloc's institutional evolution following its recent expansion and key discussions centred on priorities such as global health cooperation, international trade and financial dynamics, climate action, artificial intelligence governance, and reforms to multilateral peace and security frameworks.

Brazil's hosting of the dialogue underscores its leadership in steering BRICS toward addressing contemporary challenges and fostering collaboration among member states.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), BRICS brings together eleven major emerging economies, representing around 49.5 per cent of the global population, around 40 per cent of the global GDP, and around 26 per cent of global trade.

As a formal grouping, BRIC started after the meeting of the leaders of Russia, India, and China in St Petersburg, which was held on the margins of the G8 Outreach Summit in 2006. The grouping was formalized during the 1st meeting of BRIC Foreign Ministers on the margins of UNGA in New York in 2006.

The first BRIC Summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009. 4. At the BRIC Foreign Ministers' meeting in New York in 2010, it was agreed to expand BRIC into BRICS, with South Africa included.
Accordingly, South Africa attended the 3rd BRICS Summit in Sanya in 2011. BRICS was further expanded in 2024, with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE becoming full members on 1 January 2024.

In January 2025, Indonesia joined the BRICS as a full member while Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan were inducted as partner countries of the BRICS. (ANI)

(The story has come from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by the Tribune Staff.)

Bangladesh
Source: www.observerbd.com

Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono will attend a meeting with his counterparts of the BRICS bloc of emerging economies in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, the country’s first ministerial participation since becoming a full member of the geopolitical forum earlier this year, reports Arab News.

Initially comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the group has expanded with the accession of Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia and the UAE last year, and Indonesia in January.

Morphing into the most powerful geopolitical forum outside the Western world, BRICS now accounts for about 48 percent of the world’s population and more than 37 percent of the global economy.

“The Indonesian foreign minister will encourage BRICS to play a more constructive role in maintaining peace and upholding global norms that have been mutually agreed upon,” Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

“(He) will also emphasize the importance of reforming various multilateral institutions to be more inclusive, transparent, and responsive in facing various challenges in the world.”

Brazil holds the BRICS presidency this year under the theme “Enhancing Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.”

The two-day meeting of the group’s foreign ministers in Rio de Janeiro will also cover preparations for the upcoming annual leaders’ summit, which Brazil will host in July.

The ministerial-level meeting comes amid the US’ 90-day pause on sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs, while it has raised tariffs on Chinese imports to an effective rate of 145 percent. Beijing has responded with retaliatory hikes on US exports.

The Trump administration has imposed a 47 percent tariff on Indonesian imports, raising concerns about its billions of dollars-worth exports to the US.

The intensifying trade war with the US and the impacts of Washington’s tariffs around the world will be high on the agenda of the BRICS meeting, said Dinna Prapto Raharja, founder of Jakarta-based think-tank Synergy Policies.

“It will be a big part of the agenda, how BRICS countries will respond to the US tariffs,” Raharja told Arab News on Sunday.

Alternative payment methods in international trade and the role of the New Development Bank — a multilateral bank developed by BRICS member nations — are also likely to be discussed.

She noted that the BRICS meeting is taking place as China urges a unified response in Southeast Asia, following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s tour to the region earlier this month.

“Indonesia must be able to choose and talk about extremely strategic matters in these negotiation processes,” Raharja said.

Jakarta must decide on which aspects it is willing to work with the US and in which areas it is open to create alternatives with BRICS countries.

She added: “This must be decided, so that in the case of China coming into the forums with offers or even a little push for BRICS member countries to choose a certain path, Indonesia is ready.”

Iran
Source: www.tehrantimes.com

TEHRAN - Iran's Agriculture Minister said the country’s relations with BRICS members are set to deepen, following Tehran’s active participation in the 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers Meeting, IRIB reported.

Speaking at a press conference on the outcomes of the event, Agriculture Minister Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh said Iran’s proposals were positively received and approved by all BRICS member states, and were included in the summit’s final declaration.

Among the key proposals submitted by Iran were the creation of a sub-working group on fisheries, the establishment of a union of agricultural research institutes, and the formation of a vaccine producers’ consortium.

The Iranian delegation also pushed for expanded financial cooperation, investment, and trade among BRICS countries, he added.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the Iranian delegation held bilateral talks with agriculture ministers from Brazil and India. The two sides discussed expanding exports of Iranian products such as caviar, pomegranates, apples, kiwis, and dried fruits to Brazil. It was agreed that export barriers would be addressed and necessary protocols developed.

Ghezeljeh said that while Iran is on track to achieve self-sufficiency in meat production, it may still use Brazil’s infrastructure to export halal meat to Muslim countries in the region.

He also noted that Iran is working to boost exports of livestock and poultry products using domestic capacities, while continuing imports of key animal feed ingredients such as corn, soybeans, and oil.
The minister said the trip included a visit to the Port of Santos—the largest port in South America—where Iranian trade accounts for around seven percent of the port’s 180-million-ton annual capacity. Santos officials expressed readiness to cooperate with Iranian firms on establishing a dedicated terminal and joint investment projects.

Ghezeljeh also met with Iranian businesspeople based in Brazil and international companies active in agriculture, which he said would pave the way for deeper economic and trade engagement in the future.

Ethiopia
Source: africa.businessinsider.com

Ethiopia has perfected plans to join the BRICS New Development Bank, making it the fourth African nation to become a member of the institution.

Ethiopia set to become 4th African member of BRICS New Development Bank

• Ethiopia plans to join the BRICS New Development Bank, becoming the fourth African nation to be a member
• Ethiopia has submitted its application for NDB membership and received political support from all BRICS members
• The NDB has three African member countries: South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria, with Ethiopia set to join soon

This move highlights Ethiopia's growing role in international economic partnerships and highlights the BRICS Bank's commitment to expanding its influence across emerging markets, particularly in Africa.

The move for Ethiopia's accession to the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) was confirmed by the Ethiopian Ambassador to Brazil, Leulseged Tadese Abebe, during an interview published on the website of Brazil’s BRICS Chairmanship, a partner of TV BRICS.

Ambassador Abebe revealed that Ethiopia had already submitted its application for NDB membership and highlighted that joining the bank is a key priority for the country this year.

He emphasized Ethiopia's full commitment to integrating with the BRICS mechanisms, stating, "One of the most important pillars in the BRICS family is the New Development Bank."

The ambassador further noted that Ethiopia has already garnered political support from all BRICS members and expressed optimism about completing the accession process soon.

Ethiopia has already submitted its application for the NDB membership

Once a member, Ethiopia intends to focus on key priority sectors such as agriculture, energy, and industry, aiming to drive sustainable development in these critical areas.

The addition of Ethiopia to the bank is expected to further strengthen its development initiatives on the continent, supporting critical infrastructure and sustainable projects in one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies.

The NDB membership in Africa

The New Development Bank (NDB) has three African member countries - South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria - with Ethiopia set to join soon. These members reflect the bank's growing influence in supporting sustainable development in Africa.

Key points about each country include:

- South Africa (founding member - July 3, 2015): Participates in NDB operations, funds infrastructure projects, and promotes sustainable development.
- Egypt (member since Feb 20, 2023: Leverages NDB funding for regional cooperation, energy, infrastructure, and trade projects.
- Algeria (member since August 31, 2024): Brings expertise in sustainable energy development and is expected to benefit from NDB financing for infrastructure and industrial capacity expansion.
- Ethiopia (set to join): Plans to focus NDB resources on agriculture, energy, and industry, strengthening the NDB's presence in the Horn of Africa.
The NDB's expansion in Africa highlights the continent's growing role in global economic governance and its commitment to infrastructure, energy, and sustainable development projects.