Logistics, Resources, Technologies: Conference on Strengthening BRICS Cooperation Concludes in Moscow
The BRICS Academic Thematic Conference "Strengthening BRICS Connectivity: Fostering Cooperation" was held in Moscow. The event focused on expanding collaboration within the association and took place during India’s BRICS Chairship year.
The conference was organised by the BRICS Expert Council-Russia jointly with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF, India) within the framework of the BRICS Think Tanks Council (BTTC).
Key discussion areas included the resilience of transport and trade corridors, the reliability of supply chains for critical resources, and the development of technological cooperation — including in the field of artificial intelligence. The recommendations developed at the conference will be used in preparing materials for the September BRICS Summit.
LEADERSHIP AND DIPLOMATS’ PERSPECTIVES
Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia, highlighted the unique role of the association:
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BRICS is not just an important platform for the "global majority" — it is perhaps the only platform capable of changing the situation and offering a new form of global governance. Today, resilience and sovereignty are the basic conditions for development. Transport connectivity, supply chains, and domestic technological ecosystems form the backbone of the economic security of BRICS countries. Therefore, the agenda of our conference goes far beyond academic discussions: the ability of our countries to effectively respond to real challenges and consistently promote the common interests of the association on the international stage directly depends on the decisions made here and on clear cooperation mechanisms.
Victoria Panova
Head of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia
Pavel Knyazev, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Russia’s Sous‑Sherpa for BRICS, noted that the association has reached the level of strategic partnership and achieved significant results, including under Brazil’s chairship. He emphasised the value of the key BRICS cooperation principles, which serve the interests not only of the member states but also of the majority of the world’s countries, and highlighted India’s approach focused on "public support".
Nikhilesh Giri, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Russia, pointed out that global challenges reveal the vulnerabilities of supply chains and energy security issues. In his view, technological partnership and enhanced connectivity among BRICS countries will help overcome these problems. The speaker also stressed the need to reform multilateral institutions (the UN, IMF, World Bank) and the importance of technology development for the Global South.
LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORT CONNECTIVITY
At the session "Crossing Continents: Resilient Connectivity", experts from Russia, the UAE, and Egypt discussed the creation of reliable trade networks and reducing vulnerability to external shocks. The focus was on financing multimodal connectivity, digitalising ports and customs procedures, and risk management.
A special place in the discussion was given to promising transport routes — the North‑South International Transport Corridor and the Northern Sea Route as alternatives to traditional logistics chains.
Nilanjan Ghosh, Vice President for Development Studies at the Observer Research Foundation, noted a shift in focus from physical infrastructure to resilience.
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The continuity of trade flows is more important than simply transporting goods — especially amidst the pandemic, geopolitical, and climate shocks. Resilient networks must be diversified, with backup routes, digital integration, and the ability to adapt to crises.
Nilanjan Ghosh
Vice President for Development Studies at the Observer Research Foundation
RESOURCES AND SUPPLY CHAINS
During the session "Corridors of Cooperation: Securing Critical Supply Chains", experts from India, South Africa, China, and Iran discussed cooperation in resource extraction and management of critical minerals.
The participants identified the following priorities: transitioning from an extractive model to enhancing value addition in mining regions, developing regional value chains, and integrating local communities. A high level of political and business trust was recognised as a key condition for partnership, as was the need to agree in advance on how benefits will be distributed.
Philani Mthembu, Executive Director of the Institute for Global Dialogue (IGD, Pretoria, South Africa), highlighted South Africa’s capabilities in mining, technology, management, and research in the mining sector.
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It’s not just about gaining access to minerals — it’s about creating more value for African countries. Through BRICS cooperation, we can build regional value chains across the continent in a strategic way and make sure Africa isn’t caught in the crossfire of geopolitical disputes.
Philani Mthembu
Executive Director of the Institute for Global Dialogue (IGD, Pretoria, South Africa)
The role of the BRICS New Development Bank in financing infrastructure projects was also underscored, as was the importance of a green transformation of the sector — that is, adopting sustainable mining practices and sharing green technologies.
TECHNOLOGIES AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The session "High Technologies and AI: Prospects for BRICS Cooperation" focused on technological sovereignty, digital infrastructure, and AI governance.
The session moderator, Anna Sytnik, Leading Research Fellow at HSE University, called on BRICS to take proactive action: the development of AI is outpacing the creation of regulatory and diplomatic mechanisms, so the association should build common approaches in advance.
Walter Desidéra Neto, Researcher in Economic Relations at the Institute of Applied Economic Research (IPEA) and BTTC Coordinator for Brazil, highlighted the shortage of computing infrastructure as a key challenge and proposed joint investments in supercomputers, networks, and cloud computing, as well as the development of intra‑bloc supply chains.
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BRICS should establish common principles and values in the field of AI, making digital infrastructure a foundation not only for the economy but also for innovation. Priorities include technological sovereignty, supercomputers, cloud computing, and cooperation in science and education. At the same time, the key task is to bridge operational gaps and implement harmonised regulation — so that solutions developed in one BRICS country do not have to be recreated in another.
Walter Desidéra Neto
Researcher in Economic Relations at the Institute of Applied Economic Research (IPEA) and BTTC Coordinator for Brazil
Shimellis Hailu Dessie, Representative of the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA, Ethiopia), advocated for a polycentric approach to technology regulation and the development of BRICS’ own standards, building on the competitive advantages of its members.
Konstantin Vishnevsky, Director of the Center for Strategic Analytics and Big Data at the Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge (HSE University), stated in his speech that the focus in working with AI should shift from the pace of implementation to the strategic management of technologies and strengthening the technological sovereignty of the member countries.
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AI is not just another sector of the digital economy — it is a general‑purpose technology that underpins progress in robotics, the Internet of Things, and many other fields. Therefore, the discussion should not be limited to how quickly BRICS countries can adopt AI. It is more important to understand how to use AI for sustainable development and technological sovereignty without creating new forms of dependency.
Konstantin Vishnevsky
Director of the Center for Strategic Analytics and Big Data at the Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge (HSE University)
The speaker emphasised that technological sovereignty is not about isolation but about making a strategic choice: the ability to independently develop, regulate, and control critical technologies while simultaneously fostering partnerships within BRICS.
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BRICS should not be a group of countries that merely react to technological changes designed elsewhere. We can become key authors of technological standards and policy approaches that truly shape the future.
Konstantin Vishnevsky
Director of the Center for Strategic Analytics and Big Data at the Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge (HSE University)
Special attention was also given to educational initiatives, the exchange of specialists, public diplomacy, and the synergy between technologies and BRICS energy projects.
The conference brought together experts from Russia, India, Egypt, the UAE, South Africa, China, Iran, Brazil, and Ethiopia. Following the sessions, practical cooperation mechanisms and partnership formats have been outlined, involving universities, businesses, and government agencies to implement joint projects in the transport, resource, and technology sectors.