The 16th BRICS Academic Forum was held in Moscow, Russia, from May 22 to 24, 2024, focused on the theme “BRICS: New Figures at the Global Chessboard”. As the BRICS Chair for 2024, Russia hosted this pivotal event organized by the Russian National Committee on BRICS Research. The forum aimed at fostering long-term cooperation among BRICS countries through providing insights and recommendations for the upcoming 16th BRICS Summit. Dr. Jin Xin, Secretary-General of CCBTC and Director-General of the Research Office of International Department of the CPC Central Committee, led the Chinese delegation and delivered the keynote speech.
Group Photo of Dr. Jin Xin and Members of the Chinese Delegation
The opening ceremony included addresses by Sergey Ryabkov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation; Nikita Anisimov, Rector of HSE University; and Vyacheslav Nikonov, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs and Chairman of the Board of the National Committee on BRICS Research. Victoria Panova, Vice-Rector of HSE University and Head of the Russian BRICS Expert Council, moderated the ceremony.
Sergey Ryabkov’s Opening Remarks
Vyacheslav Nikonov’s Speech
This forum marked the first academic gathering since the expansion of BRICS membership, focusing on BRICS’s role in global governance and exploring new pathways to enhance governance mechanisms for shared goals of the majority of nations worldwide. More than 200 experts and scholars from BRICS countries attended the forum, discussing topics such as the evolving landscape of global governance, BRICS’ new roles, digital security, biosafety and biohealth, energy transition and security, technological innovation and governance, economic and trade cooperation, and sustainable development, while engaging in other in-depth discussions on topics closely related to the BRICS countries, Global South countries, and the majority of the world’s nations.
Professor Zhao Longyue Speaking at the Forum
Professor Zhao Longyue, Dean of the School of International Governance Innovation at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, was invited to attend the forum. He delivered a speech on global artificial intelligence (AI) governance, proposing that BRICS countries to collaborate in establishing a dedicated international organization for global AI governance.
Professor Zhao emphasized that BRICS should:
1. Pay closer attention to emerging trends in AI development and application, such as the rapid growth of general AI technologies, the development and use of synthetic data, and the advent of quantum computing, which present both opportunities and uncertainties.
2. Focus more on international rule-making and regulatory collaboration, recognizing that disparities in development and competition between major powers pose challenges in building an open, fair, inclusive, and effective AI governance mechanism.
3. Seize the opportunity to establish a new international organization specifically responsible for global AI governance, which would better serve the Global South and the broader community of developing countries.
He also highlighted the research efforts of the School of International Governance Innovation at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, which draws on the university’s multidisciplinary strengths in economics, law, and international governance. The school conducts in-depth research on both theoretical and practical issues in global AI governance and develops high-level interdisciplinary talents for international governance. It also has actively expanded international collaborations with institutions in both developed and developing countries, including the University of Maryland, European University Institute, University of Chile, University of the Philippines, and Nelson Mandela University. In April, the school co-initiated the launch of the UNU Global AI Network with over 30 institutions worldwide.
Professor Zhao with Other Panelists
The BRICS Academic Forum is an integral part of the BRICS cooperation framework. This year’s forum, the first since the expansion of BRICS membership, centered on enhancing the role of the BRICS cooperation mechanism in global governance. The research findings and policy recommendations generated during the forum will be submitted for consideration at the 16th BRICS Summit, to be held from October 22 to 24 in Kazan.
