BRICS Expert Council–Russia Launched at HSE University
The official presentation of the BRICS Expert Council–Russia has taken place at HSE University. The Council will be responsible for the information, analytical and expert support of the Russian BRICS Chairship 2024.
The BRICS Expert Council–Russia was established according to the decision of the Government of the Russian Federation at HSE University at the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation. The Council will be engaged in expert, analytical and scientific activities on current issues of political, socio-economic, and humanitarian cooperation within BRICS.
Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council and Vice-Rector of HSE University, notes that this shows the high level of trust in HSE by Russia’s leadership. ‘Today HSE University is one of the leading Russian centres in the field of international educational, scientific and expert cooperation,’ she says. ‘HSE University has an exceptional set of competencies in these areas, and our employees enjoy well-deserved renown and have the highest reputation and authority in their fields.’
![](/mirror/pubs/share/direct/900922324.jpg)
Victoria Panova highlighted the primary role of the expert track in building effective cooperation among the association’s member countries in terms of track II diplomacy.
‘2024 marked the start of a new chapter in the history of BRICS. Russia, as the inaugural chair of the expanded BRICS group, needs to ensure the smooth integration of new member countries into the association’s work. BRICS is effectively developing track II diplomacy, i.e. informal initiatives of academic, expert and civil society communities that interact with government institutions. Our Expert Council is vested with responsibility to act as a national coordinator for BRICS expert track since 2024,’ she added.
This year, the council will hold a number of expert events to collect recommendations on the development of comprehensive cooperation between the member countries for the leaders of BRICS. The main results of this expert track work will be presented at the BRICS Academic and Civil Forums, which will be held in Moscow on May 22nd-24th and July 3rd-4th, respectively.
BRICS Expert Councill–Russia was presented in February at HSE University as part of the strategic session entitled ‘Russian BRICS Chairship 2024: Role of the Expert Track’. Leading Russian experts and scientists from HSE University, IMEMO RAS, RANEPA, MGIMO, the Russian International Affairs Council, etc. all took part in its work. Lilia Rizvanova, BRICS Office, Russian Foreign Ministry, and Evgenia Drozhshchikh, Deputy Director of the Department for Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, spoke about the main priorities of the Russian BRICS chairship.
Since January 1st, 2024, BRICS officially expanded to include ten countries: Russia, Brazil, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia. In 2024, Russia is chair of the BRICS group. The theme of the Russian chairship is ‘Strengthening multilateralism for equitable global development and security.’ A summit between leaders of the BRICS countries will be held in Kazan.
See also:
'Staying Open to New Challenges and Opportunities Is Crucial'
The Tenth BRICS Youth Summit was held in Ulyanovsk from July 22 to 26. The event was attended by more than 200 early-career professionals from Brazil, India, China, Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Russian regions. Participants gathered to discuss current global issues and explore opportunities for youth collaboration. Students of HSE University who attended the Youth Summit shared their impressions with HSE University Life.
HSE University Launches Consortium of BRICS Law Schools
The HSE Faculty of Law hosted an online meeting with law schools and expert centres from BRICS countries. The purpose of the event was to join efforts to advance legal science and practice for the benefit of the organization. To this end, at the initiative of the Dean of the Faculty of Law Vadim Vinogradov, a Consortium of BRICS Law Schools was established, comprising representatives of leading higher education institutions from a number of countries.
‘At HSE University I Had the Opportunity to Meet the Best Academics’
In April 2024, HSE School of International Regional Studies of the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs organised a round table ‘Russia and the Most Influential Countries of the Global South: Comparing Approaches to the New International Political and Economic-Financial Order’. Seyedmohammad Seyedi Asl, Research Fellow at the School of International Regional Studies, spoke to HSE News Service on his report ‘Global South, BRICS, and Iran's Foreign Policy’ presented at the round table, his research interests and impressions of working at HSE University, and living in Moscow.
‘We Work to Create a More Prosperous, Fair, and Safe World’
On July 3–4, 2024, the IX BRICS Civil Forum was held in Moscow for the first time since the association was expanded by five new countries in January 2024. Participants emphasised the importance of personal interaction between public figures, civil activists, as well as the work they do to strengthen and enrich friendly relations between BRICS countries, based on mutual respect. The forum was organised by the BRICS Expert Council–Russia, which is established at the HSE University.
BRICS Countries Support HSE University’s Project to Launch Fair Competition Platform
A meeting of the BRICS Coordination Committee on Antimonopoly Policy was held in Geneva as part of Russia's BRICS Chairship in 2024. The meeting participants supported a project to launch a BRICS Interstate Platform on Fair Competition, developed by the International BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre of HSE University and presented by the FAS of Russia as an initiative of the Russian Chairship.
BRICS Academic Forum Held in Moscow
The Forum brought together more than 200 representatives from the expert community across all BRICS countries to discuss the topic ‘BRICS: New Figures at the Global Chessboard.’ The forum was organised by the BRICS Expert Council–Russia, which operates on the basis of HSE University. The event’s opening ceremony featured the representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Duma, as well as HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov and HSE Vice Rector, Russian W20 Sherpa Victoria Panova.
HSE Strengthens Cooperation with India and Creates Opportunities for Dialogue between Experts
Following the visit of the HSE University delegation to New Delhi, cooperation agreements with leading Indian universities were finalised. Similarly, a number of expert events, consultations and negotiations on the development of comprehensive strategic cooperation with Bharat took place. The HSE University delegation also participated in the Raisina Dialogue, one of the largest international expert forums.
HSE Hosts Round Table ‘Africa and BRICS: Reflections and Prospects’
On April 15, 2024 HSE University hosted a roundtable discussion ‘Africa and BRICS: Reflections and Prospects.’ The event featured leading experts from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) Steven Gruzd and Gustavo de Carvalho and was moderated by HSE Vice Rector and Head of the BRICS Expert Council–Russia Victoria Panova.
Intellectual Property Issues in the Framework of BRICS Discussed at HSE University
On April 8, a roundtable discussion entitled ‘Intellectual Property on the Rise: How to Maximize Its Positive Impact and Avoid Hazards’ took place at HSE University in Moscow. The participants included Victoria Panova, HSE Vice Rector and Head of the BRICS Expert Council–Russia, andAlan Freeman, Co-Director of Geopolitical Economy Research Group at the University of Manitoba; Secretary of Geopolitical Economy Research and Education Trust; Co-Editor of Geopolitical Economy Book series, Manchester University Press.
‘The Goal of the Contest Is to Select Bold Ideas Aimed at Fostering a More Equitable Global Development’
HSE Vice Rector, Head of the BRICS Expert Council–Russia and Co-chair of the BRICS Civil Forum Victoria Panova, and Dean of the HSE Faculty of Humanities and Chair of the Contest Jury Felix Azhimov, announced the primary objectives of the contest, its format and potential participants during a press conference at TASS. Nationals from the BRICS countries, aged 18 to 45, are eligible to apply for participation in the contest. The jury will select ten winners, three of whom will be given the opportunity to attend the BRICS Civil Forum in Moscow in person.