🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks during Business Council meeting on #BRICS issues (Moscow, May 31, 2024)

💬 We have agreed to focus our today’s meeting on a most pressing issue – interaction within the BRICS association.

BRICS is a unique interstate format where representatives of various countries of various religions, civilizations and cultures communicate, work and elaborate joint decisions, which are subsequently implemented. All this is done on the basis of equality, mutual respect, openness and search for a balance of interests.

The purpose of cooperation is understandable: to provide for the creation of favourable conditions for the economic growth of member countries, to resolve social problems and to develop innovatory human potential. No doubt that the interests of all member countries coincide in this matter and meet the hopes of other Global Majority countries, which has been confirmed by doubling our association membership in 2023 (from five to 10). This is also confirmed by the fact that over 30 states have applied for rapprochement with BRICS in one form or another.
 
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The BRICS Summit is scheduled for October 2024 in Kazan. As early as next week we will hold a meeting of the BRICS Council of Foreign Ministers in Nizhny Novgorod to be attended by both full-fledged members and invited countries representing a variety of integration entities in the Global Majority as well as other partners in the BRICS+ format.

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☝️ We are going to give priority attention to strengthening contacts with business circles. It is because these issues just cannot be solved efficiently without you.

We will encourage a direct dialogue between entrepreneurs within BRICS. The Business Council and the Women’s Business Alliance set up at Russia’s initiative are already operating. We will support your participation in these organisations in every way possible, especially this year when Russia holds the presidency.

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#BRICS2024

#PhotoOfTheDay

📸 Heads of delegations take part in the traditional #FamilyPhoto ceremony ahead of the #BRICS Ministerial

📍 Nizhny Novgorod, June 10

#BRICS2024

📸 Heads of delegations take part in the #FamilyPhoto ceremony ahead of the "BRICS Plus" Ministerial Meeting

📍 Nizhny Novgorod, June 11

#BRICS2024

#BRICS2024

Russia's #NizhnyNovgorod hosted BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting on June 10-11 as well as Foreign Ministers and officials from other nations of the Global South and East. Everyone received a most warm welcome — the memorable experience condensed in a final-cut video of the event

Here's to recall:

👉 Day 0. Delegations arrive
👉 Day 0 video. Nizhny Novgorod is prepared!
👉 Day 1 video
👉 On the outcomes of the Ministerial and FM Sergey Lavrov's participation

📺 © The Nizhny Novgorod Region Government

📺 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s address to participants in the Forum of BRICS Sister Cities and Municipalities (July 9, 2024)

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💬 Colleagues,

Friends,

I am delighted to welcome the organisers and participants of the traditional Forum of BRICS Sister Cities and Municipalities.

This year, the forum is being held in the Nizhny Novgorod Region and its capital, Nizhny Novgorod, which are known for their history and hospitality. Today, the region, just like the whole of Russia, is demonstrating its openness to the world and its readiness to develop foreign relations based on the principles of respect, equality and mutual advantage.

Russia, which holds #BRICS Chairmanship this year, is working to build up comprehensive strategic partnership within this association. We are paying priority attention to humanitarian cooperation and contacts between people.

Interaction between cities and municipalities has a big role to play in these efforts. It has recently been growing in terms of scope and, more importantly, quality. Plans for this year include many relevant events, which will certainly make a substantial contribution to the development of interregional cooperation within BRICS.

One such event is the Forum of Sister Cities and Municipalities. Over the past years, it has become an effective platform for developing dialogue between regional and municipal authorities, which has led to the establishment of sister city relations between many of them.

The accession of new members to BRICS on January 1, 2024, has considerably increased the potential of this mechanism. It offers new opportunities for exchanging experience on the key aspects of urban life, in particular, urban construction, local self-government and law-making, social protection, security and other essential topics.

During this forum, you will discuss vital issues such as enhancing the quality of city life, the economic development of municipalities, modern urban architecture, the digitalisation of urban environment, as well as various aspects of the ecology, education, culture, sport and youth exchanges. The Russian participants have considerable experience they can and will share in all these spheres.

A cultural programme is an integral part of this event. I am sure that you will enjoy learning about the region’s history and architecture and the crafts of our country.

🤝 No doubt that your forum will be held in a business-like and friendly atmosphere, which will help you establish useful contacts, discuss promising joint projects, as well as strengthen friendship and trust between our nations.

I wish you fruitful discussions and all the best.

#BRICS2024

📹 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s video address to the organisers and participants of the 6th International Municipal BRICS Forum (August 27, 2024)

💬 I am pleased to welcome the organisers and participants of the 6th International Municipal BRICS Forum, which is being hosted by Moscow, a city famous not only for its unique history, architecture, and vibrant cultural and sports scene, but also for its advancements in modern urban development, transportation, infrastructure, and organisation of urban life. I am confident that the Russian capital, along with other Russian cities, has much to share with our partners from #BRICS countries. In turn, we are interested in learning from the best practices of our friends.

The relevance of these mutually enriching exchanges is clear: according to expert estimates, the share of urban residents is rising steadily and is now in excess of 56 percent of the world population. This dictates the need to devise a long-term and well-considered policy aimed at promoting the steady development of municipalities and creating a comfortable urban environment for all residents.

Municipal and regional cooperation within BRICS is making strides and holds a significant place on the agenda. In June of this year, the BRICS Association of Cities and Municipalities was launched, and Nizhny Novgorod hosted a highly successful Forum of Twinned Cities and Municipal Formations.

I am confident that the 6th International Municipal BRICS Forum will make a unique contribution to strengthening ties between our countries and peoples. The number of forum participants, over 5,000 delegates from about 500 cities worldwide, as well as the packed agenda for upcoming discussions, serve as clear evidence of the relevance of this event. You will discuss current issues related to urban economics and advanced urban science, introduction of digital and environmentally friendly technologies, access to quality education and healthcare, and the establishment of connections between business communities.

On a separate note, I would like to commend the work done by the Moscow authorities, who have created all the necessary conditions for productive work during the forum. I am certain that all guests of the Russian capital will fully appreciate its hospitality.

Your forum provides additional opportunities for establishing useful contacts, coordinating promising joint projects, and strengthening friendship and trust between our peoples.

🤝 I wish you productive discussions and all the best.

#BRICS2024