President Vladimir Putin’s message of greetings to participants and guests of the first Civil BRICS Forum

President Vladimir Putin sent a message of greetings to the participants and guests of the first Civil BRICS Forum.

"Your forum opens a new dimension in the BRICS group's activity by involving in our joint work representatives of diverse nongovernmental organisations and public groups in our countries," the President noted.

He emphasised that many issues in international relations today cannot be resolved effectively without civil society's active participation. The President believes that "the role of people's diplomacy in building trust and understanding between countries and searching for peaceful solutions to conflicts and crises is especially important."

President Putin said that he was pleased that the forum's agenda is in line with the priorities of Russia's BRICS Presidency and fully reflects its commitment to enhance mutually advantageous, multilateral political, economic and humanitarian cooperation.

The President expressed confidence that discussions at the forum would produce new ideas and initiatives on building up the BRICS countries' potential and increasing their influence in global affairs.