Sergei Ryabkov: Invigorating practical efforts is key to boost the international role of BRICS

The invigoration of practical work within BRICS is key to strengthening the international role of its member states, Deputy Foreign Minister and Russia's Sherpa in BRICS Sergei Ryabkov said at a conference on the role of BRICS in transforming the world order at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"The more concrete projects we carry out and the more shared goals we work to achieve, with an orientation towards the possibilities that we have opened and therefore have created for ourselves, the more stable this association will be and the weightier and more influential its international role will become," he said.

It is in this tone that the Russian Federation intends to continue working through the end of its presidency, he said. An impressive programme of ministerial and expert meetings has been planned, including the launch of new formats of cooperation among the BRICS countries via migration agencies, as well as on labour and employment issues.

"The launch of these formats will make it possible to diversify and consolidate interstate connections within the association," the Russian Sherpa said.

Mr Ryabkov praised the level of interaction within the BRICS framework.

"The work within the association's framework is being conducted in a focused manner, in keeping with the agenda that is evolving in line with the changing international situation. At the same time, however, it is based on the solid foundation of our interaction and mutual understanding that has emerged in recent years and that has expanded during the recent BRICS summit in Ufa," he said, adding that the summit's final documents are evidence of the high level of relations among the BRICS states.

He stressed that Russia has never sought - nor will it ever seek - to use BRICS to dominate in international affairs in narrow geopolitical and geostrategic interests.

"We are focused on providing more favourable internal conditions for the development of each member country," he said.

In conclusion, Mr Ryabkov said that the BRICS countries expect, in the near future, to open talks on an international agreement to prevent the deployment of weapons in outer space, based on a draft developed by Russia and China.