At noon on August 28, the Valdai Discussion Club will host an expert discussion, titled “BRICS: Development Goals 2030”.

       Over the years of its existence, BRICS has appreciably strengthened; the member countries support each other on many issues of the international agenda. BRICS undoubtedly has the potential and, possibly, the mission to play a more important role than before in ensuring the economic prosperity of the modern world community and in establishing a stable, peaceful world order. Moreover, now there are many challenges, particularly the weakening of the WTO and various security threats.

       In order for the BRICS countries to maintain and build upon past successes, it is necessary for them to focus on cooperation and interaction in order to promote their own growth and development, as well as to pursue a dialogue with other like-minded partners.

       Experts, together with participants in the scientific and educational programme of the BRICS International School, will discuss the strategic development of BRICS, changes in international politics and economics, the growing role of regional organisations and associations, and many other topics.

       Speakers:

       Julia de Souza Borba Gon？alves, Research Fellow, Institute for Applied Economic Research (Brazil);

       Nandan Unnikrishnan, Honorary Member of the Observer Research Foundation (India, via videolink);

       Ayan Sharma, Associate Fellow of the Observer Research Foundation (India, via videolink)

       Zhu Tianxiang, Deputy Dean, School of International Studies, Director of the Centre for International Relations Studies, BRICS Research Institute, Sichuan University of Foreign Languages ？？(China);

       Mpambukele Tulisi, Senior Lecturer in Urban and Regional Planning at University of the Free State (South Africa).

       Moderator:

       Oleg Barabanov, Programme Director of the Valdai Discussion Club.

       Working language: English.