More than 100 speakers from 23 countries gathered in the Russian region, the Republic of Bashkortostan. 

At the opening ceremony of the forum, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov addressed the participants of the 6th BRICS+ Forum of Young Diplomats.

“The first such event was held on the initiative of the Council of Young Diplomats of the Russian Foreign Ministry in the year of the Russian presidency in the association in 2015 in Ufa. Since then, the platform has proved to be an effective tool for building ties between the foreign ministries of the BRICS member states”

Sergey Lavrov Russian Foreign Minister

On the first day of the forum, the participants discussed key areas of interaction between the BRICS countries and their partners. In particular, one of the sessions focused on cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere in the BRICS area. During the discussion, Anna Lisina, Editor-in-Chief of the TV BRICS portal, shared how the international media network works with its partners.

“All new media outlets are joining TV BRICS. News, as well as documentaries and programme cycles produced by the Russian editorial office of the international media network and our partners in BRICS+ countries are being adapted into five languages. Text and video content is being made available to readers and viewers in Africa, Asia and Latin America. It is through the international distribution of various materials that interstate dialogue develops”

Anna Lisina Editor-in-Chief of the TV BRICS portal

In addition, the young diplomats discussed the role of BRICS in the global economy and financial system. Ernesto Bordier, Deputy Director of the General Directorate of Europe of the Venezuela’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasised the need to use the national currencies of the association in international transactions.

“We fully back the initiative of the development of a bridge currency, or even the development of a swap currency between BRICS member states, including for its use in trade with BRICS+ countries. We are already working on this with our partners here in Russia,” the diplomat said.

During the first day of the forum, the young diplomats also met with Radiy Khabirov, Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan. He noted that the region is actively developing ties with foreign partners.

“Interaction with the BRICS countries is one of the priorities in foreign economic activity. In the first half of the year, trade turnover increased by more than 10 per cent”

Radiy Khabirov Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan

In turn, Second Secretary at the Brazilian Embassy in Moscow Marcelo Cid Laraburu, thanked the organisers for the opportunity to take part in the event.

“This forum is a valuable opportunity for us, the young diplomats, to exchange ideas, learn from each other, and build strong foundations for future cooperation among our nations,” he stressed.

Getnet Sisay, Ethiopia’s BRICS Secretariat’s Second Counsellor, for whom the forum in Ufa was his second visit to Russia, shared his impressions exclusively with TV BRICS.

“The future is in the hands of these young diplomats. So, we are expected to provide various policy options to our leaders, to our foreign ministers, so that they can be guided to make decisions on the future of our BRICS platform,” the diplomat said.

This year’s event takes place during the celebration of the 450th anniversary of Ufa. It is symbolic that the BRICS+ format was born in this very city during the 7th BRICS Summit.

Photo: Press service of the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan