The BRICS Civil Society Forum in Moscow brought together more than 600 representatives of civil society

On July 3-4, the IX BRICS Civil Society Forum was held in Moscow with the participation of representatives of all new countries of the association. The event was organized by the BRICS Expert Council in accordance with the official calendar of events of the presidency of the Russian Federation in the association. The last forum was historic, as it was within the framework of Russia's current chairmanship in the association that an important step was taken towards institutionalizing the BRICS civil process.

Opening the BRICS Civil Society Forum, Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council, Vice Rector of the Higher School of Economics, Sherpa of Russia in the Women's Twenty, called for collective solutions to the challenges of sustainable development. "The rapprochement of the BRICS countries has led to increased contacts not only at the state level, but also at the level of civil society and non–profit organizations, since it is civil society and its representatives who must set the basic parameters of equitable development," Victoria Panova stressed. She also noted that the number of participants in the forum more than doubled the planned number: 650 people from 20 countries arrived in Moscow, adding that the expansion of the BRICS gave a new impetus to the civil dialogue of all ten member countries.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Russian Sherpa in BRICSSergei Ryabkov stressed: "The Civic Forum has become one of the pillars of the association's architecture, where there is an opportunity to present civic initiatives, discuss pressing issues of the life of the peoples of the participating countries and individuals. The civic track is the most lively area of work in the strategic partnership, focused on the development of humanitarian ties and cultural mutual enrichment."

For the first time, a philosophical essay contest "Vision 2050 – BRICS People 2050 – How BRICS will Change the World by 2050" was held within the framework of the BRICS Civil Society Forum. 

On June 27, a press conference dedicated to the presentation of a joint study by TASS and the Expert Council "Colonialism 3.0: the Origins and Methods of Modern Western Globalism" was held. TASS acted as the general partner of the event, a joint photo exhibition "Western Globalism in Action" was organized within the framework of the forum and a report "Colonialism 3.0: the origins and methods of modern Western globalism" was presented.

Both days, the forum also hosted the art exhibition "Nina Ruchkina. Beauty unites the world" by the famous Ural designer Nina Ruchkina, who created a headscarf dedicated to the unification of the BRICS. The headscarf celebrates the beauty of the women of the BRICS countries and Russian culture.

On July 4, a traditional press conference on the results of the BRICS Civil Society Forum was held at the site of MIA Rossiya Segodnya.

For more information, see the news on the official website of the BRICS Civil Society Forum.