Meetings, meetings and then some more meetings… would be how you’d describe what’s on the table in 2024. Some 250 is the number mentioned, which sees an increase of almost 100 from previous years’ averages. A testament to the growing agendas of the Bloc.
Lets take a brief look at some of the items that are in the works over the upcoming months.
The Road Ahead
The 2024 BRICS agenda under Russia’s chairmanship is set to cover a wide array of topics, emphasising the bloc’s commitment to addressing global economic and security challenges through enhanced cooperation. A key highlight of the agenda is the BRICS summit planned to take place in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024. This event will serve as the culmination of Russia’s chairmanship, bringing together member countries to discuss and advance their collective goals.
In addition to the summit, Russia has outlined a comprehensive plan to host well over 200 political, economic, and public events across more than ten cities, underlining the extensive scope of its chairmanship. One of the significant proposals put forward by President Putin includes the establishment of a permanent transport commission aimed at developing logistics and transport corridors, such as the North-South project, to enhance connectivity among BRICS nations.
Furthermore, the BRICS countries are actively working on their ongoing critical goal of creating a unified payment system using their national currencies, a move spearheaded by the finance ministers and central bank governors of the member states. This initiative, expected to be a focal point at the Kazan summit, underscores the bloc’s efforts to expand the use of national currencies in international trade and reduce dependence on traditional global financial systems.
Meetings and discussions will also cover areas such as energy, space cooperation, finance, and youth engagement, indicating a broad and multifaceted approach to cooperation. For instance, meetings of the BRICS Committee of Senior Energy Officials and the Working Group on Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation Cooperation, along with a thematic session on the BRICS Youth Dimension, are scheduled, showcasing the diverse interests and collaborative efforts of the BRICS nations.
These initiatives reflect the BRICS group’s ongoing commitment to reforming international political and economic structures, enhancing intra-bloc cooperation, and addressing global challenges through collective action.
