Yu Yunquan, Vice President of China International Communications Group, delivers a speech at the Governance and Cultural Exchange seminar in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 30 (COURTESY PHOTO)  

Rio de Janeiro is already hosting key discussions ahead of the BRICS Summit on July 6 and 7. On July 1, experts from across the bloc gathered for a major seminar on governance and cultural cooperation, shaping what could be reflected in the summit’s final declaration. Lucrecia Franco reports.

As Brazil’s tenure as host of this year’s BRICS summit heads into its final week, numerous conferences and events are taking place including this Governance and Cultural Exchange seminar in Rio de Janeiro.

Hosted by China International Communications Group (CICG), the event highlighted speakers from China, Russia, Brazil and India among others, each calling for more and better exchanges between countries of the global south and demanding a bigger voice in global institutions, especially in what some called a failing United Nations:

SUDHEENDRA KULKARNI Chairman, Forum for a New South Asia

“More nations like India, Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia should be included as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. The powers of the general assembly should also be increased.”

The tone of the event was somber as trade wars and armed conflicts were on the top of speaker’s minds.

IVONE SILVA President, Lula Institute of Brazil

“It’s not the case that just because fighting is taking place over there in the Middle East that it doesn’t affect other regions. It does. The global economy is interconnected, and these wars affect everyone.”

But the Vice President of the CICG, also expressed confidence in the direction the BRICS alliance is taking as a player on the world stage.

YU YUNQUAN Vice President, China International Communications Group

“The BRICS forum brings diverse people from BRICS countries together. Makes us more unified. Helps us reach consensus which will be greatly important in strengthening BRICS cooperation.”

Yu says this is the 8th Global Governance and Cultural Exchange seminar which has become an annual fixture at BRICS summits since 2017.

LUCRECIA FRANCO Rio de Janeiro

“Next week, on July 6 and 7, the leaders of the BRICS countries will meet here to finalize agreements on an agenda that emphasizes economic and security cooperation. Lucrecia Franco, CGTN, Rio de Janeiro.”