Roundtable "BRICS 2026: Economic Ambitions, AI Innovation, and the Changing World Order"
Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council, took part in an expert roundtable titled "BRICS 2026: Economic Ambitions, AI Innovation, and the Changing World Order," organized by the Usanas Foundation (India).
The discussion covered the most pressing issues for BRICS: payment and settlement instruments, including expanding interoperability of interbank systems; the lack of unified technological standards and regulations; economic asymmetries among member states; and the shifting balance of power on the international stage amid growing tensions.
“ ”
The Summit's agenda should be guided by the interests of the Global South — it needs to reflect the everyday priorities of the majority of member states, not be limited to the narrow agendas of individual players. Against the backdrop of growing external challenges, the unity of the BRICS countries is demonstrated through the development of coordinated, practical mechanisms: building and synchronizing trade, logistics, and digital infrastructure are becoming the key pillars of joint efforts.
Victoria Panova
Head of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia, Russian W20 Sherpa
The event was also attended by: Anil Trigunayat, Former Ambassador to Jordan, Libya and Malta, Dr. Srikanth Kondapalli, professor in Chinese Studies, J.Nehru University, Cleo Paskal, Research Fellow, Future Security Initiative, Arizona State University, Col. Rajeev Agarwal Senior Research Consultant, Chintan Research Foundation, Rajiv Bhatia, Distinguished Fellow, Foreign Studies Programme at Gateway House.
Following the roundtable, the experts reached a consensus that the Delhi Summit is essential as a platform for transitioning to an operational phase — translating political agreements into practical action in the interests of the Global South. Key areas of convergence include tracks where member states' interests most closely align and that are directly relevant to BRICS development goals: settlements in national currencies, joint projects in emerging technologies including AI, and coordination on trade and economic matters.