Executive Director of the National Committee for BRICS Research Georgy Toloraya

Georgy Toloraya: Russia’s Presidency contributed to the further development of BRICS

Executive Director of the National Committee for BRICS Research Georgy Toloraya

The record of Russia's BRICS Presidency showed the member states' interest in consolidation and further development, Executive Director of the National Committee for BRICS Research Georgy Toloraya said in an interview with TASS, summarising Russia's Presidency of BRICS. According to him, the more complicated the situation in BRICS countries is, the more they are interested in mutual support, mutual cooperation and in acting in solidarity within today's system of global governance.

"The 2015 BRICS Summit in Ufa clearly demonstrated the five countries' unity and their intention to act," Mr Toloraya said.

He recalled that events such as the BRICS Youth Summit, the BRICS Global University Summit and the Civil BRICS Summit were held for the first time in the year of Russia's Presidency. "This public-civil component, in addition to official channels, further strengthens the development of BRICS," he said.

Mr Toloraya said that the five countries also improved cooperation in energy, science and technology. "BRICS drafted relevant documents and action plans and approved the BRICS Economic Cooperation Strategy. So Russia has managed to make the most of its Presidency for the further development of BRICS," he noted.

In general, BRICS has become more powerful, despite economic difficulties and differences between the states, Mr Toloraya believes.