BRICS Expert Council–Russia Launched at HSE University
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The official presentation of the BRICS Expert Council–Russia has taken place at HSE University. The Council will be responsible for the information, analytical and expert support of the Russian BRICS Chairship 2024.
The BRICS Expert Council–Russia was established according to the decision of the Government of the Russian Federation at HSE University at the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation. The Council will be engaged in expert, analytical and scientific activities on current issues of political, socio-economic, and humanitarian cooperation within BRICS.
Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council and Vice-Rector of HSE University, notes that this shows the high level of trust in HSE by Russia’s leadership. ‘Today HSE University is one of the leading Russian centres in the field of international educational, scientific and expert cooperation,’ she says. ‘HSE University has an exceptional set of competencies in these areas, and our employees enjoy well-deserved renown and have the highest reputation and authority in their fields.’
Victoria Panova highlighted the primary role of the expert track in building effective cooperation among the association’s member countries in terms of track II diplomacy.
‘2024 marked the start of a new chapter in the history of BRICS. Russia, as the inaugural chair of the expanded BRICS group, needs to ensure the smooth integration of new member countries into the association’s work. BRICS is effectively developing track II diplomacy, i.e. informal initiatives of academic, expert and civil society communities that interact with government institutions. Our Expert Council is vested with responsibility to act as a national coordinator for BRICS expert track since 2024,’ she added.
This year, the council will hold a number of expert events to collect recommendations on the development of comprehensive cooperation between the member countries for the leaders of BRICS. The main results of this expert track work will be presented at the BRICS Academic and Civil Forums, which will be held in Moscow on May 22nd-24th and July 3rd-4th, respectively.
BRICS Expert Councill–Russia was presented in February at HSE University as part of the strategic session entitled ‘Russian BRICS Chairship 2024: Role of the Expert Track’. Leading Russian experts and scientists from HSE University, IMEMO RAS, RANEPA, MGIMO, the Russian International Affairs Council, etc. all took part in its work. Lilia Rizvanova, BRICS Office, Russian Foreign Ministry, and Evgenia Drozhshchikh, Deputy Director of the Department for Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, spoke about the main priorities of the Russian BRICS chairship.
Since January 1st, 2024, BRICS officially expanded to include ten countries: Russia, Brazil, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia. In 2024, Russia is chair of the BRICS group. The theme of the Russian chairship is ‘Strengthening multilateralism for equitable global development and security.’ A summit between leaders of the BRICS countries will be held in Kazan.
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