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Author : V. Lukov
Ambassador at Large, Russian Sous-Sherpa in BRICS, Doctor of Science (History)
ON JUNE 16, 2009, Yekaterinburg hosted the first meet-
ing of the leaders of the BRIC nations, which laid the
groundwork of a fundamentally new format for cooper-
ation among countries.
For the first time, the major "new economies" formed an
association to promote their common interests and the
interests of a wide range of developing countries. Thus,
from the very beginning, the BRIC member states posi-
tioned it not as a closed club to serve their own interests,
but as a structure open for the outside world and acting
in the interests of a wide range of states. The Yekaterin-
burg Statement emphasized that "the dialogue and cooperation of the BRIC countries is conducive not
only to serving common interests of emerging market economies and developing countries, but also to
building a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity."
The initiator of the creation of the BRIC grouping was Russian President Vladimir Putin, who put forward
this idea back in 2006, following a meeting of the participants at the G8 Summit in St. Petersburg with the
leaders of the new economies in the outreach format. Even then, it was clear that the scheme where the
G8 members acted as the leaders and the new economies as the led was becoming outdated.
We all strive to reform the outdated financial and economic system of the world. This system still does not
take into account the new role BRICS and other emerging markets already play in the global economy.
We see the future of BRICS as its gradual transformation into one of the key elements of global gover-
nance.
It is crucially important that the five member states are committed to the principles of international law
and seek to reinforce the central role of the UN and its Security Council in the maintenance of international
peace and security. We do not accept the policy of twisting arms and infringing the sovereignty of other
countries.
BRICS is an association which is open to the influence of external factors and trends, including such as
the Ukrainian crisis. The anti-Russian actions of the West during this crisis have spurred members toward
cohesion. Indeed, our BRICS partners gave a comeuppance to some Western politicians calling for Russia's
exclusion from the G20 summit in Australia.
Economy. The main challenge now is to advance multi-party trade and economic cooperation. Only it will
make the most of the complementarity of our economies, markets, and science and technology capabilities.
We must remember that BRICS has nearly 3 billion consumers.
We see the future of BRICS as its gradually transformation into one of the key elements of global gover-
nance.
The leadership of our country, as stressed in the Concept of Participation of the Russian Federation in
BRICS, approved by President Vladimir Putin on February 9, 2013, regards work in the association as one
of the core directions of Russian foreign policy.
BRICS is on the rise. It will no doubt continue to strengthen its position in the world. Russia's strategic
staking on BRICS is fully justified.
Symbol of an Emerging Multipolar World