Special article丨Gathering forces for positive stability and good deeds – People from all walks of life in the BRICS countries look forward to President Xi Jinping going to Russia to attend the 16th BR

In an exclusive interview, we discuss the upcoming visit of President Xi Jinping to Russia for the 16th BRICS Summit from October 22 to 24, which marks the first in-person gathering of BRICS leaders since the historic expansion of the group. We spoke with various stakeholders involved in the BRICS initiative, who shared their expectations and insights regarding this significant event.

President Xi’s presence is highly anticipated, as representatives from various BRICS nations look forward to his important proposals that could foster cooperation and address shared challenges. “We warmly welcome President Xi to Kazan for this momentous occasion,” said Galina Kulikova, the first vice-chair of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Association and a recipient of China’s Friendship Medal. She hopes that Xi will introduce new ideas and initiatives to deepen cooperation among BRICS countries.

The expansion to include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Iran, and Ethiopia has attracted significant international attention, symbolizing the start of a new era for BRICS. Andrei Klishas, first vice-chair of the Federal Council’s International Affairs Committee, emphasized the importance of this summit as Russia serves as the rotating chair of BRICS. He believes that President Xi’s participation will strengthen consensus on global issues and enhance the collective voice of BRICS nations for peace and development.

Ronny Lins, director of the Brazil-China Research Center, noted that Xi’s vision of building a community with a shared future resonates widely, especially among Global South countries. He believes that Xi’s attendance will inject new energy into promoting multilateralism and inclusive growth.

The sentiment for justice and fairness was echoed by analysts from across the BRICS spectrum. “I’m deeply impressed by China’s contributions to global peace and stability,” said Mehdi Khorsand, a researcher on China and Eurasian affairs in Iran. He highlighted China’s role in brokering a historic reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, illustrating the world’s need for China’s influence in crucial times.

Izat Saad, chair of the Egyptian Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed confidence that the BRICS framework would enhance the representation and voice of Global South countries in international affairs, anticipating insights from Xi on maintaining international fairness and justice.

As BRICS continues to grow, it is establishing an impactful narrative, accounting for approximately 30% of the world’s GDP and one-fifth of global trade. Ahmed Hamadi, a political commentator from the UAE, underscored the BRICS collaboration mechanism as a vital platform for emerging markets and developing countries to optimize resource allocation and share development opportunities.

The discussion also highlighted the economic cooperation initiatives within the BRICS framework, such as the establishment of the New Development Bank, which Linz pointed out benefits member countries like Brazil in sustainable and technological advancements.

Furthermore, the role of cultural exchange in strengthening ties among BRICS nations was underscored. Kumar Pathak, a research associate at the Indian BRICS Research Institute, emphasized the importance of mutual learning and respect among different civilizations, particularly through educational and cultural activities. He anticipates that President Xi’s visit will enhance this cultural dialogue.

As the BRICS summit approaches, the collective hope is that it will culminate in actionable agreements on education, science, culture, artificial intelligence, and human exchange, leaving an indelible mark on the trajectory of cooperative development among member nations. “President Xi’s visit will undoubtedly make a significant contribution to this ongoing journey,” said Lyudmila Skakovskaya, deputy chair of the Federal Council’s Committee on Science, Education and Culture.