BRICS expresses interests of global majority: Ushakov

took the rotating presidency of the BRICS group in 2024. Russian presidential for

(YU) TASS an interview in which he previewed Moscow’s priorities, prospects for BRICS development and expansion, and commented on the West’s attempts to impede the association’s activities.

TASS: While speaking about the priorities of Russia’s BRICS Presidency, Vladimir Putin mentioned the development of economic partnership, cooperation in science and innovation, security and counter-terrorism, culture and sports. How do you prioritise these guidelines? Which aspect of BRICS activities is of particular value to us: political, economic or civilisational?

YU: First of all, I would like to say that cooperation within BRICS is undoubtedly one of the key features of Russia’s long-term foreign policy. Interaction with the association’s members meets the fundamental national interests of our country and fits in well with our systematic policy of forming a fair multipolar world order and creating equal opportunities for all countries to develop.

As the Russian president said in his message published on January 1 on the occasion of the beginning of Russia’s BRICS we will focus our efforts on promoting the entire range of partnership and cooperation within the framework of the association on three key tracks — politics and security, the economy and finance, and cultural and humanitarian ties.

All these three guidelines are of fundamental and equal importance. They have been identi

which will be held under the common motto: “Strengthening Multilateralism for Equitable Global Development and Security.”

Let me emphasise that Russia is approaching the BRICS and diligence.

A comprehensive concept of the Russian

it, an interdepartmental steering committee for preparing and ensuring Russia’s BRICS idency in 2024 has been established under a presidential decree.

This body, which I have been assigned to head, is responsible for co-ordinating the participation of Russian federal and regional authorities, parliamentary, business and non-governmental organisations in the BRICS mechanisms, and, in general, all issues related to the Russian

ings at various levels and, of course, the BRICS summit.

The steering committee meets on a regular basis. Working groups have been set up within its framework to oversee foreign policy, financial and organisational issues.

All government ministries and agencies, non-governmental organisations and other structures promptly report to the steering committee on the progress made and results achieved.

In December 2023, the steering committee approved a large-scale plan for events under

ies. It is noteworthy that ever more requests are pouring in for hosting additional events in important areas of co-operation within the BRICS framework.

being implemented and planned is regularly

brics-russia2024.ru. The BRICS

idency, of course.

Moreover, it will be the first BRICS summit following the group’s enlargement. Let me remind you that at the meeting of BRICS leaders in Johannesburg last August, a decision was made to invite new members to the association. Starting from January 1 it includes 10 countries. The twofold increase in the number of BRICS members undoubtedly opens up vast prospects for the further strengthening of the role and authority of our association internationally.

At the same time, of course, Russia, as the current president of the organisation, has a special responsibility to ensure the fastest and smoothest integration of the new members into the operation of all BRICS mechanisms. This is undoubtedly a cornerstone and high priority

TASS: What is the reason behind the choice of Kazan as the venue of the 2024 BRICS summit?

YU: the summit is no coincidence. All essentials are in place for the city to host a meeting of world leaders at a decent level. There is a well-developed transportation network, tourist infrastructure, and, in general, a comfortable modern urban environment. The leadership of the Republic of Tatarstan, has “gotten the hang of it” and has been hosting various international forums with great success for many years.

Steering committee members make frequent

all preparations for the summit and for the meeting of numerous delegations of the BRICS member-countries.

The steering committee stays in touch with the leadership of Tatarstan — with all those who are responsible for specific tasks facing the city ahead of such a large-scale event.

The steering committee keeps a close watch on what is being done to ready more than 50 city hotels and other facilities for the accommodation of foreign heads of state and government and the accompanying officials and personnel. Due attention is paid to ensuring the room stock should meet the highest standards of comfort and safety requirements.

The local authorities are tightly engaged in upgrading infrastructure and improving urban areas selected to accommodate the guests and, of course, in preparing the sites of the summit’s events.

The leaders’ negotiations and key meetings

This is a unique compound, one of Russia’s largest and most modern in terms of technical equipment.

events for tens of thousands of guests. Just recently it saw the opening ceremony of the

of Russia and a number of foreign heads of state. The compound’s location is convenient — it is a five-minute ride from the airport and a 25-minute ride along the expressway from the centre

the summit.

Now, back to the programme of Russia’s BRICS presidency. I would like to mention that many events have already taken place. In particular, the BRICS finance ministers and central bank governors’ meeting, the BRICS senior officials’ committee meeting on energy, expert consultations on information security, anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism, the youth volunteer conference, and the BRICS nuclear medicine working group session have already taken place. The sherpas and sous-sherpas from the member states responsible for the substantive content of the BRICS cooperation agenda maintain regular communication. At the end of January and beginning of February they met in Moscow.

In other words, the official schedule of BRICS events in 2024 is tight and eventful, and the range of themes — multifaceted and ambitious. TASS: Will BRICS remain a club of “big countries”, or can smaller states also aspire accession?

YU: Let me start with a quick look back at the history of BRICS. The very acronym BRIC — potential of the developing countries, arrived at the conclusion that these four countries would determine the direction of the world economy and politics in the 21st century. In fact, he forecast the creation of our association. Just five years later — in 2006, on the sidelines of the 61st session of the UN General Assembly in New

separate meeting to agree to develop diversified cooperation on a four-party platform.

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