A one-day summit on “BRICS and Global South Cooperation” was held in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, to discuss issues related to the expansion of the alliance. The event was organised by the UNESCO Foundation in cooperation with the Nigerian Universal Migration Enlightenment Centre, the Centre for Social Science Research (Mali), the Russian Centre for Applied Analysis of International Transformations, and the Russian-African Club of MSU named after M. V. Lomonosov.

The speakers were prominent scientists, analysts, representatives of the United Nations, international organisations, political and economic experts, well-known public figures and diplomats from Africa, Russia and China.

In his welcoming remarks, Humphrey Orjiako, Nigeria’s plenipotentiary representative to Switzerland and the UN, stressed the aspiration of African countries for equal cooperation and partnership with the world community.

An expert from China, Deputy Dean of the Marxist College of Shandong University Professor Shi Rongjiu emphasised the undeniable importance of preserving traditional family values.

Russia was represented at the summit by Vitaly Danilov, director of the center for applied analysis of international transformations of RUDN named after. P. Lumumba, and Alexander Berdnikov, Executive Secretary of the Russian-African Club of MSU named after M. V. Lomonosov, who spoke about the club’s work to organise the Museum of African Culture in Moscow on the basis of the State Museum of Oriental Art. In addition, he supported Nigeria in its endeavour to become a full member of BRICS.

Many experts have emphasised that the Russian BRICS chairmanship provides a platform for strengthening the voice of Africans on the world stage. By championing the interests of the continent’s countries, Russia can strengthen political ties between the African continent and other BRICS member countries. Opportunities related to investment, education, policy and co-operation have the potential to change the country’s development trajectory.

Photo: The Russian-African Club of Moscow State University