🇷🇺🇹🇭 Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of Thailand Maris Sangiampongsa hold a meeting on the sidelines of the #BRICS Ministerial

📍 Nizhny Novgorod, June 10

#RussiaThailand

🇷🇺🇱🇦 Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Laos Saleumxay Kommasith hold a meeting on the sidelines of the #BRICS Ministerial

📍 Nizhny Novgorod, June 10

#RussiaLaos

❗️ Joint Statement of the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations (Nizhny Novgorod, June 10, 2024)

📄 Full Statement

1. The BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations met on 10 June 2024 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation. They exchanged views on major global and regional trends and issues. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the framework of #BRICS Strategic Partnership under the three pillars of cooperation – politics and security, economy and finance, cultural and people-to-people exchanges. They reaffirmed their commitment to the BRICS spirit featuring mutual respect and understanding, equality, solidarity, openness, inclusiveness, and consensus.

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5. Mindful of the 2023 Johannesburg II Declaration the Ministers voiced their support for a comprehensive reform of the #UnitedNations, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of developing countries in the Council’s memberships so that it can adequately respond to prevailing global challenges and support the legitimate aspirations of emerging and developing countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America, including BRICS countries, to play a greater role in international affairs, in particular in the United Nations, including its Security Council. They also recognized the legitimate aspirations of African countries, reflected in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.

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15. The Ministers recognised the negative impact on the world economy and sustainable development from unilateral approaches in breach of international law. They expressed concern about the use of unilateral coercive measures, which are incompatible with the principles of the Charter of the UN and produce negative effects on economic growth, trade, energy, health and food security notably in the developing world.

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32. The Ministers recalled their national positions concerning the situation in and around #Ukraine as expressed in the appropriate fora, including the UN Security Council and UN General Assembly. They noted with appreciation relevant proposals of mediation and good offices aimed at peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

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34. The Ministers expressed grave concern at the deterioration of the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in particular the unprecedented escalation of violence in the #Gaza Strip as a result of the Israeli military operation that led to mass civilian displacement, death and casualties, and destruction of civilian infrastructure. In this regard they called for the effective implementation of the relevant UNGA resolutions and UNSC resolution 2720 and for immediate safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale directly to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip <…>

36. The Ministers reiterated that the principle “African solutions to African problems” should continue to serve as the basis for conflict resolution on the African continent. In this regard they reiterated their support for African peace efforts on the continent, including those undertaken by the African Union, and African sub-regional organisations.

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40. The Ministers expressed strong condemnation of any acts of #terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed. They strongly condemned the inhumane terrorist attack on 22 March 2024 at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow <…>

54. The Ministers expressed their full support to the Russian Federation’s BRICS Chairship in 2024 under the theme “Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security”. They expressed their commitment to working together to ensure the success of the XVI BRICS Summit. The Ministers looked forward to the next BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations meeting to be held on the margins of UNGA79 and hosted by Brazil as incoming Chair of BRICS in 2025.

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at an extended meeting with the participation of the Foreign Ministers from the Global South and the Global East (June 11, 2024, Nizhny Novgorod)

💬 Welcome to Russia and Nizhny Novgorod, a beautiful city, the beauty of which and the feelings of the residents of which you had the chance to enjoy yesterday.

Today’s meeting reflects the efforts of #BRICS members to develop ties with the stakeholder countries from the Global South and the Global East, the countries of the Global Majority,

in order to identify solutions to the most pressing global issues faced by all members of the international community without exception.

We are witnessing a profound transformation of international relations triggered by the formation of a fairer and polycentric system of international order, which would reflect the entire gamut of cultural and civilisational diversity of the modern-day world and ensure the right of every nation to determine its own future and its own path of development.

The stronger voice of the Global Majority, i.e. the countries of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean, which are not part of the collective West, is a major trend now.

Only by uniting our ranks can we truly effectively promote a vision of a just future shared by all of us. In this context, it is important to strengthen the role of the country-to-country groups that advocate balanced and equitable approaches to international development.

We are talking about the formats which reflect the principles of equitable cooperation in practice rather than in words. These include, along with BRICS, #SCO, #AfricanUnion, #EAEU, #CIS, #ASEAN, #LAS, #CELAC, #GCC, #IORA and many other organisations. The chairs of many of these organisations are here with us.

We believe it is important to establish contacts between all such integration entities which operate at regional levels, on the one hand, and our global association BRICS, on the other hand. This will promote gradual and mutually respectful harmonisation of approaches to the issues facing all associations.

The strengthening the international legal framework and collective decision-making on global issues is now at the forefront. Only in this case will those decisions be effective and legitimate.

This principle is laid down in the UN Charter. Unfortunately, the collective West’s decisions, especially in the economy, finance, trade and more, increasingly fail to comply with the fundamental principles of the UN Charter.

Our countries have largely overlapping approaches to reforming the system of multilateral institutions, including the UN and the UN Security Council, as well as addressing the post-pandemic recovery of the global economy and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals approved by the UN General Assembly.

🤝 We look forward to discussing all these issues today.

🇷🇺🇹🇭 On June 10, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Maris Sangiampongsa on the sidelines of the meeting of the #BRICS Foreign Ministers in Nizhny Novgorod.

During the conversation, prospects for the development of Russian-Thai cooperation in priority areas were discussed, including promoting political dialogue, further building up trade and economic ties and cultural exchanges, as well as issues of combining efforts on international platforms.

Current issues on the regional agenda were discussed.

#RussiaThailand

🇷🇺🇱🇦 On June 10, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Saleumxay Kommasith in the BRICS Plus/Outreach format on the sidelines of the #BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting in Nizhny Novgorod.

During the meeting, the Ministers discussed the state of Russia-Laos strategic partnership, as well as the prospects for further advancement. They focused on the implementation of agreements reached following talks between the Leaders of the two countries in Moscow on May 9.

The discussion also covered regional and global issues of mutual interest, as well as the #RussiaASEAN Dialogue Partnership in the context of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s chairmanship of #ASEAN in 2024. Additionally, they exchanged views on interaction within the #SCO and other multilateral formats, including BRICS.

The conversation took place in a friendly and trust-based atmosphere, which is a traditional feature of Russia-Laos relations.

#RussiaLaos

🇷🇺🇻🇳 President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin met with Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh

💬 Vladimir Putin: The Russian-Vietnamese relations of trust and mutual understanding have come a long way <...> and have stood the test of time with honour.

The Soviet Union, as you also noted, provided effective assistance in the Vietnamese people’s heroic struggle against the French and later the American invaders, and subsequently contributed to the peaceful development of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

In recent decades, we have significantly expanded the legal framework for cooperation. In addition to the cornerstone Treaty on Foundations of Friendly Relations, which just recently turned 30 years old, more than 80 interstate and intergovernmental agreements are now in place between our countries. A number of important bilateral documents were also signed during the current visit.

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Educational cooperation continues; the government has established a quota of 1,000 university scholarships with state grants to admit Vietnamese citizens next year.

Russia will host Days of Vietnamese Culture this year. Vietnamese athletes took part in the #BRICS Games earlier this month.

Many Russian cities and regions, including Moscow, St Petersburg, the Kaluga, Rostov and Ulyanovsk regions, are active in cooperating with cities and provinces of Vietnam.

🤝 I would like to underscore that despite all the current challenges, we are committed to strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the Russian Federation and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and we will do our utmost to advance it. I hope that this visit will serve to strengthen our ties; I have no doubt about it.

#RussiaVietnam

🇷🇺🇮🇳 President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, on an official visit to Russia, held talks in the Grand Kremlin Palace.

💬 Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minister, this is your first official visit after your reappointment following parliamentary elections. I would like to congratulate you on this once again.

Our countries have long-time friendship and good relations that have evolved over the decades. This year, we are marking the 77th Anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Today, our relations have the status of a specially privileged strategic partnership. We are in permanent contact, and we prioritise the development of trade and economic ties. Certainly, their development meets the interests of the people of India and the peoples of the Russian Federation.

📈 Last year, our trade soared by 60 percent and even more, by 66 percent; it increased by an additional 20 percent in the first quarter of 2024.

🌐 We cooperate closely on the international arena, including at international organisations, primarily the #UN and such associations as the #SCO and #BRICS.

Yesterday, we had an opportunity to discuss virtually all practical issues in an informal setting. I am grateful to you for devoting attention to the most acute issues and for trying to find some options for resolving the Ukraine crisis, primarily by peaceful methods.

Mr Prime Minister, we will be delighted to see you in Kazan this autumn at the upcoming BRICS Summit.

At the end of my opening remarks, I would like to wish you new successes in facilitating the development of the Indian state. You and I know each other for a long time, and I know that your entire life is devoted to implementing the idea of strengthening the Indian state and improving the life of the people of India.

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#RussiaIndia

🎙 Statement by FM Sergey Lavrov during the UNSC meeting on multilateral cooperation in the interest of a more just, democratic and sustainable world order

📍 New York, July 16, 2024

💬 Today, the very foundations of the international legal order - strategic stability and the UN-centric system of international politics - are put to the test. We won’t be able to resolve the mounting conflicts unless we understand their root causes and restore faith in our ability to join forces for the common good and justice for all.

Let’s face it: not all countries represented in this chamber recognise the key principle of the UN Charter which is the sovereign equality of all states. Speaking through its presidents, the US has long declared its exceptionalism. This applies to Washington’s attitude towards its allies, whom it demands to be unquestioningly obedient even to the detriment of their national interests.

👉 Rule, America! This is the thrust of the notorious “rules-based order” which presents a direct threat to multilateralism and international peace.

The most important components of international law - the UN Charter and the resolutions of our Council - are interpreted by the collective West in a perverse and selective manner, depending on the instructions coming from the White House.

Key talking points:

• Washington’s hegemonistic policy has been the same for decades. Absolutely all schemes of Euro-Atlantic security were based on America’s domination, including the subjugation of Europe and the “containment” of Russia. The main role in this was assigned to NATO, which has ultimately tramped down the European Union that had been created to serve Europeans. The alliance has unceremoniously privatised OSCE bodies in brazen violation of the Helsinki Final Act.

• The unrestrained enlargement of NATO, which went on for years contrary to Moscow’s warnings, has also provoked the Ukraine crisis that began with the state coup organised by Washington in February 2014 to seize full control of Ukraine and use the neo-Nazi regime they brought to power to prepare an attack on Russia.

• NATO’s military infrastructure is moving into the Pacific with the obvious aim of undermining the ASEAN-centric architecture, which has for many decades been built on the principles of equality, mutual interests and consensus.

• Where are the free market attributes that the US and its allies have been telling everyone to follow for so many years? Market economy, fair competition, inviolability of private property, presumption of innocence, freedom of movement of people, goods, capital and services - all of these have been scrapped.

• The pivotal element of the reform of the UN should be the reshuffle of the UN Security Council, <...> which clearly has too many representatives of the collective West. A badly needed step is to reach the broadest accord possible on the concrete parameters of the reform, which should increase the representation of Asia, Africa and Latin America.

• The personnel policy of the UN Secretariat should be changed as well to eliminate the domination of Western citizens and subjects in the administrative UN bodies. The UN Secretary-General and his staff must faithfully and with no exceptions comply with the principles of impartiality and neutrality.

• #BRICS and the #SCO are playing an increasing role in the development of a just multilateral world based on the principles of the UN Charter. Their member states represent different regions and civilisations whose interaction is based on equality, mutual respect, consensus and mutually accepted compromises, which is the golden standard of multilateral cooperation involving great powers.

❗️ The UN will be able to overcome current disagreements and to reach consensus on most issues if everyone, without exception, honours its letter and spirit. “The end of history” has failed to materialise. Let us work together in the interests of launching the history of genuine multilateralism that reflects the entire wealth of cultural and civilisational diversity of the world’s nations.

🎙 Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at a meeting with directors of Russian non-profit organisations (July 23, 2024)

Key talking points:

🔹The role of public diplomacy has grown compared to the earlier period, primarily when it comes to maintaining a healthy atmosphere of confidence in relations with our foreign partners and explaining problems created by the West.

🔹 This applies to the the countries which we regard as unfriendly. I believe that we should use this term for governments, whereas the mood in the countries is largely determined by people’s lives and aspirations. I do not see any nation on the planet that would be unfriendly to our people in the first place.

🔹 I am aware that pubic organisations in Western countries somehow manage to maintain ties with some of their partners in Russia. This interaction is extremely important for keeping up relations at the level of civil societies and trying to understand each other.

🔹 We are beginning to see the outlines of a new multipolar world order. Nations around the world want to see their right to rule their destinies respected, and are searching for new ways of addressing various issues as alternatives to Western solutions.

🔹 The West is not ready to engage in mutually beneficial and equal cooperation. It has been seeking to hold on to its erstwhile standing which follows the path of irreversible, albeit slow, degradation. The NATO Summit in Washington provided yet another example of this process by adopting a declaration which once again emphasised the West’s unilateral approaches.

🔹 Today, Europe has been reduced to acting as Washington’s subject. Germany, for example, is the cornerstone of European politics and economy, but it still had to stomach the terrorist attacks against the Nord Stream pipelines which undermined its economic and social wellbeing. It had to pretend that this is the way it had to be.

🔹 The process of eradicating the centralised dictatorial model that America’s globalisation has morphed into will go hand in hand with regionalisation of economic processes. Preferably, in view of their interdependence with the global economy, the developments in Eurasia, Africa and Latin America ought to be coordinated and harmonised to a certain extent. #BRICS is quite capable of doing that.

🔹 We certainly believe that the United Nations remains a unique platform for universal cooperation that has no alternative. The UN Charter principles are relevant as never before.

🔹 I said earlier that Eurasia is emerging as an independent part of the multipolar and polycentric world. We are moving forward towards creating a Greater Eurasian Partnership, something that President Vladimir Putin mentioned 10 years back.  Since then, this process has led to stronger ties between #EAEU, #SCO, and #ASEAN.

🔹 We trust that non-governmental and non-profit organisations will actively participate in these processes and continue to contribute to the overall efforts seeking to strengthen Russia’s position on the continent and around the world, including the promotion of the Russian language and our multiethnic culture.

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🇷🇺🇨🇳 Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi hold talks on the sidelines of #ASEAN events

📍 Vientiane, July 25, 2024

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🤝 The Officials praised efforts by Russia and China to promote their political dialogue and practical cooperation at a time when the international system has to grapple with a lot of turbulence and uncertainty. They paid special attention to reviewing progress on the agreements resulting from the May 2024 summit meeting in Beijing.

The Ministers also discussed cooperation within ASEAN considering the fact that certain countries have become increasingly proactive in setting up restricted bloc-based military and political mechanisms, which are designed to undermine the ASEAN-centric security and stability framework for the Asia-Pacific Region. They praised the new Russia – China + ASEAN Chair format following the first meeting of this kind with Laos on July 25, and said that they hoped that developing this dialogue platform would help forge closer ties across the ASEAN space.

🌐 Sergey Lavrov and Wang Yi stressed the importance for Moscow and Beijing to step up their foreign policy coordination efforts at various international platforms, including the #UN, the #SCO, #APEC, the Group of Twenty and other formats. The Russian minister thanked China for supporting Russia’s #BRICS Chairmanship and reaffirmed Moscow’s readiness to assist Beijing as SCO President. The two Ministers went on to discuss ways to implement the concept of building a new security architecture for Eurasia. It has been put forward by Russia as a response to stagnating Euro-Atlantic mechanisms.

Sergey Lavrov thanked his counterpart for China’s balanced and consistent position on the Ukraine crisis and welcomed Beijing’s initiatives to promote approaches taking into consideration the interests of all the stakeholders and addressing the causes at the root of this conflict.

As usual, the conversation unfolded in a trust-based and constructive manner, which has become a hallmark of the Russia-China strategic partnership.

#RussiaChina

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks at the meeting with Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Lao PDR Saleumxay Kommasith (Vientiane, July 25, 2024)

💬 I would like to thank our Lao and Chinese partners for agreeing to hold today's meeting in a trilateral format. This is an excellent opportunity for us to touch base on a wide range of issues aimed at promoting regional interconnectedness in Eurasia for the benefit of our peoples and all those who live on our continent. Additionally, we hope to discuss ways to address the challenges our countries face in strengthening food, energy and transportation security.

🇷🇺🇨🇳🇱🇦 Our three countries are united by common approaches to creating an extensive cooperation space on the continent, and strengthening cross-border transport, sales, production and logistics mechanisms.

This meeting is taking place on the sidelines of high-level #ASEAN events. The Association is a vital component of the emerging more equitable multipolar world order. ASEAN has been and remains the core of region-wide efforts aimed at ensuring a stable and secure non-bloc development of the Asia-Pacific region.

🤝 We believe that the significant potentials of Russia and China, as well as their participation in such new multilateral associations as #BRICS and the #SCO, can have a positive impact on our interaction with the Association. This will also enhance our cooperation with individual Member States of ASEAN, helping us address global and regional issues based on the comprehensive and interconnected principles of the UN Charter.

🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks during his meeting with Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China Wang Yi (Vientiane, July 25, 2024)

💬 Our countries focused their agendas on undertaking a comprehensive effort to deliver on their national development goals, and the #RussiaChina strategic cooperation is designed to facilitate these efforts. President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of China Xi Jinping attach great importance to these relations and always keep them on their radar, including by exploring new horizons for our strategic partnership.

In May 2024, Beijing hosted summit talks between them. After that, the two Leaders had a conversation on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Astana, where they outlined the main directions for further strengthening our bilateral cooperation as well as the way we work together on the international stage.

🤝 Russia and China have been working in tandem on building a multipolar world order with better justice for all, guided by the principle of genuine multilateralism. In addition, they have been creating positive vibes within the United Nations and the Group of Twenty, while remaining proactive within #BRICS and the #SCO. There are other important international platforms too, including, of course, #ASEAN and the entire architecture revolving around this association. We share the view that we must do everything to prevent its destruction.

Today, we had a detailed conversation on this matter during our joint meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Lao PDR Saleumxay Kommasith, whose country currently chairs ASEAN.

☝️ We believe in the importance of continuing this dialogue in order to combine our efforts in countering any attempts by extra-regional forces to interfere in Southeast Asian affairs and to contribute to its wellbeing and prosperity.

🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks following his visit to Malaysia

📍 Kuala Lumpur, July 28, 2024

💬 Today, we held substantive and constructive talks with Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim and my colleague, Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan.

🇷🇺🇲🇾 We discussed all aspects of our bilateral cooperation. It is growing at a fast pace in many spheres, namely between the heads of various departments, including the Foreign Ministry, and parliaments, regional governments, political parties, Islamic organisations, business quarters, as well as analytical and educational centres. In short, we have wide-ranging relations. <...>

Malaysia is interested in expanding cooperation in education. About 700 Malaysian students are studying at our universities, most of them at medical departments. Russian and Malaysian universities maintain direct ties. In 2023, they signed over 30 joint documents, in particular, to launch joint educational programmes and projects in the fields of academic mobility, exchanges and the teaching of the Russian and Malay languages. <...>

🌐 We also discussed cooperation on the international stage, primarily at the UN, as well as in #ASEAN. <...>

We also exchanged views on regional matters. Just like all ASEAN countries and the Muslim world as a whole, our Malaysian friends are especially concerned about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and operations in Gaza. We share the opinion that a ceasefire must be coordinated and painful humanitarian issues addressed as soon as possible. Following that, the sides should launch talks on the practical parameters of establishing a Palestinian state.

Malaysia expressed interest in strengthening ties with #BRICS. We wholeheartedly welcome and will provide assistance to this as the group’s chair.

We talked about the situation in Ukraine and expressed gratitude to our Malaysian colleagues for their balanced and non-partisan stand based on understanding the root causes of that crisis created by the Western efforts to draw Ukraine into NATO and turn it into an “anti-Russia.”

✈️ I have invited my colleague to make a reply visit to Russia. I hope that we will be able to continue our communication soon. We have coordinated a plan of consultations between our deputy ministers and other senior officials on a broad range of international issues.

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✍️ Article 'BRICS and ASEAN: Focus on Food Security and Global Cooperation' by the Ambassador of Russia to Singapore Nikolay Kudashev (August 27, 2024)

🗓 The ASEAN+BRICS Roundtable on Sustainable Trade for Global Food Security, hosted by the Diplomatic Network (Asia) on August 14, 2024, underscored the increasing focus within Southeast Asia and Singapore on fostering collaboration with #BRICS states and their institutional frameworks.

The deliberations centered on refining global governance and sustainable trade practices to enhance and safeguard food security, ensuring the fulfillment of the fundamental human right to adequate nutrition in the contemporary world.

The roundtable convened prominent business leaders alongside ambassadors from BRICS and ASEAN member states, engaging in three interactive panels dedicated to formulating global strategies for sustainable trade and food security.

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The event, the Russian Embassy in Singapore took part in, emphasized the pivotal role that BRICS nations play in fortifying food security and ensuring the resilience of supply chains. These countries possess more than 30% of the world’s agricultural land and occupy a prominent position in the global agricultural market, thanks to the diverse environmental, demographic, and socio-economic conditions within their borders, which foster a wide range of agricultural products.

In 2022, Russia initiated the adoption of the BRICS Strategy on Food Security Cooperation. Looking ahead, BRICS anticipates the implementation of a new four-year plan for Agricultural Cooperation under Brazil’s chairmanship in the coming year. Additionally, Russia has proposed the establishment of a grain trading platform within BRICS — the BRICS Grain Exchange — as a critical mechanism for bolstering food security.

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The foundation of BRICS cooperation is built on principles of equality, mutual respect, openness, and the pursuit of a balanced alignment of interests.

The cooperation within BRICS is anchored on three primary pillars:

• policy and security,
• economy and finance,
• people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

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📈 BRICS countries now constitute 45% of the world’s population (3.6 billion people), account for over 40% of global oil production, and generate approximately a quarter of the world’s goods exports.

According to the International Monetary Fund’s estimates from last year, the combined GDP of the five founding BRICS nations reached $58.9 trillion, representing 33% of global GDP. This figure surpasses the GDP of the G7 by $5 trillion, as the G7 accounts for only 30% of the global GDP.

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As of January 1, 2024, Russia, having prioritized BRICS cooperation within its long-term foreign policy framework, assumed the BRICS chairmanship under the banner of “Strengthening Multilateralism for Equitable Global Development and Security.” This approach aligns with Russia’s fundamental national interests and complements its strategic objective of fostering a fair multipolar world order, while ensuring equitable opportunities for all nations to develop.

🇷🇺 In the context of the Russian chairmanship, over 200 events of varying scales and formats are scheduled across multiple cities in Russia.

The BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Nizhny Novgorod in June 2024 addressed a broad spectrum of issues, ranging from trade, economic development, and climate change to contemporary geopolitical conflicts, including those in the Middle East, Africa, and concerns in Afghanistan and Haiti.

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The BRICS Summit, scheduled to take place in Kazan on October 22-24, will serve as the cornerstone event of Russia’s BRICS presidency. We anticipate that representatives from all nations interested in advancing cooperation within BRICS will accord significant attention to this summit. Undoubtedly, it is poised to make a substantial contribution to the discourse on addressing the challenges and threats of our time, while also devising collective solutions to global issues and development objectives.

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#BRICS2024

🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks and answers to media questions following the 19th East Asia Summit (#EAS)

📍 Vientiane, October 11, 2024

💬 Sergey Lavrov: We have completed our meetings as part of the 19th East Asia Summit. President of Russia Vladimir Putin instructed me to represent him at this event.

The discussions evidenced that our Western colleagues, who are #ASEAN partners <…> have been seeking to undermine the multilateral economic and security architecture which has evolved over decades with ASEAN at its core and which has proven its relevance and effectiveness.

However, it is obvious today that the United States and its allies decided to draw the Asia-Pacific Region into NATO’s sphere of interests by creating all these narrow and exclusive US-led military and political associations. <...>

☝️ We have highlighted that this Western policy may lead to the region’s militarisation, while also threatening stability and sustainable development in the Asian part of our shared continent.

Russia reaffirmed its unwavering support for ASEAN countries in their efforts to preserve peace and ensure equal cooperation with all ASEAN partners.

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👉 Instead of using the events held as part of the East Asia Summit for pursuing vested political interests, Russia opted for promoting initiatives in several domains, including pandemic response, people-to-people contacts, including tourism, and supporting volunteering. We offer practical avenues for working together which can benefit all the participants and advocate equal and mutually beneficial cooperation. <...>

The Association hosted the Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as its guest at the East Asia Summit for the third time. He put forward a proposal to promote closer contacts between the SCO and ASEAN in various spheres that are relevant for the countries involved. <...>

We welcomed the fact that several ASEAN countries want to forge closer ties with #BRICS. Today, this structure acts as one of the cornerstones of a multipolar world order. In just a few days, Kazan will be hosting the BRICS Summit, which will be a major international event. Several ASEAN countries were invited to attend it, and they accepted these invitations.

Excerpts from responses to media questions. Key talking points:

• The final declaration has not been adopted because of the persistent attempts by the United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand to turn it into a purely political statement, contrary to the decades-long practice of East Asia summits, which boils down to preventing the saturation of declarations with confrontational geopolitical narratives.

• When the United States and its allies unanimously reaffirmed their commitment to ASEAN’s central role in facilitating cooperation in the region today, they were being dishonest. Everything they do is aimed at containing Russia and China. Everything that has been accomplished in the ASEAN-centric format over decades is being sacrificed to this goal now. That format was convenient for everyone and incorporated the interests of each and every stakeholder. So, the destructive nature of Washington’s actions in the region is obvious.

• We are seriously concerned about re-militarisation of Japan. Having forgotten the lessons of WWII, the Japanese authorities have stated increasing defence spending and augmenting its basic doctrines with a pre-emptive strike capability.

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