Oleg Stepanov

Our world is changing. The system of international relations is going through the test of change. Metamorphoses of balances have taken place before our eyes. What used to be called the bipolar order fell into oblivion. The age of predominance of a single center is past history.

New influence centers have become the full-fledged creators of international affairs. Their rise has brought cultural and civilizational diversity to the world palette. At the same time the world itself has become more interconnected and complicated. New challenges and new issues of global nature are requiring a collective response. Under these circumstances up-to-date mechanisms of interstate cooperation based on principles of collegiality and equality have the best prospects. BRICS, having united five distinctive civilizations, has become one of such formats. To date, it constitutes a dialogue forum, a mechanism of practical cooperation and, more broadly, an innovative tool of global governance. The contribution of BRICS to the world economy is steadily increasing, the five countries further global economic growth. The New Development Bank (NDB), the financial institute of BRICS established in 2015, functions Oleg Stepanov - Director of the Foreign Policy Planning Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia actively. The BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) with the volume of $100 billion functions as a guarantor of the financial stability of our states. Long-term five-sided projects in financial and investment spheres contribute to the diversification of the world trade, economic and monetary systems, giving the countries of the developing world an opportunity to choose economic and political models. What unites the five countries? First and foremost, we are talking about a platform of like-minded states with coinciding or similar views on the principles of world order. Such concepts as equality of sovereign states, non-interference in internal affairs, mutual respect and consideration of each other’s interests, adherence to generally recognized norms of international law are not just figures of speech, but important life guidance for the BRICS countries. In this regard it is BRICS that jointly reflects the worldview of most members of the international community. There is neither ideological dogmatism in the BRICS activities, nor claims to global dominance or the desire to impose anything to other members of the international community. The agenda of the group is extremely positive, be it strengthening security and stability in the world or providing conditions for harmonious internal development. All this helps the BRICS countries to focus on discussing specific crucial issues, without dispersing political resource. Long-term five-sided projects in financial and investment spheres contribute to the diversification of the world trade, economic and monetary systems, giving the countries of the developing world an opportunity to choose economic and political models.

It is also significant that BRICS is not a closed, special club of interests. The group is committed to the UNcent r ic world order. It a dvo c ate s c ol l e g i a l it y i n developing solutions to the crucial issues on the global agenda. The five countries oppose double st andards in inter national affairs, condemn military inter ventions violating t h e p r i n c i p l e s o f t h e UN Charter, any forms of interference in internal affairs, unilateral sanctions and illegitimate protectionism in trade. Understanding reached within the BRICS framework is submitted to discussion sat the UN, the G20 and other multilateral platforms. Decisions, having matured as a result of discussions among the five countries, are to complement and develop international legal framework, to enhance the efficiency of the efforts already made in this or that regard or to offer other, more effective measures. There is neither ideological dogmatism in the BRICS activities, nor claims to global dominance or the desire to impose anything to other members of the international community. The agenda of the group is extremely positive.

Finally, in their activities the five countries reflect the objective tendencies in the development of the entire system of interstate cooperation ties. BRICS has made a significant contribution to the work of international structures (the UN, the G20, the NonAligned Movement, the Group of 77) as well as of large regional groupings. Moreover, the participation of BRICS countries in them contributes to a more complete consideration of regional features in discussions and to the harmonization of often unrelated integration processes. In this regard BRICS is an example of the true network versatility. Expanding the range of BRICS external partnerships is the evidence of the openness of the group, its readiness to share the benefits of jointly working with others on voluntary and mutually beneficial basis, without any preconditions. Of course, it is worth noting that more and more states are striving to become the part of the processes aimed at creating a space of dialogue and cooperation around BRICS. In 2020, entering the second decade of its existence, BRICS has demonstrated its vitality and relevance. The group is objectively needed as an important pillar of the renewed world order, which implies not one, but several decision-making centers affecting the real course of events in the world. The strength of the group lies in its true global reach, the full representation of continents, the capacity of the agenda, the relevance of the issues of the world development discussed in this format.

It is selfevident that the further creation of a multipolar world, including strengthening of BRICS, will meet opposition from some forces. The competition of interests and priorities is inevitable. However, there is no alternative to collective efforts to address common to all mankind challenges. It is self-evident that the further creation of a multipolar world, including strengthening of BRICS, will meet opposition from some forces. The competition of interests and priorities is inevitable. However, there is no alternative to collective efforts to address common to all mankind challenges. The world order of the 21st century will be largely determined by the quality of such strategic partnerships, in which, like in BRICS, a spirit of openness, solidarity, equality, mutual understanding, inclusiveness and justice prevails. And those who are guided by the desire to make the world safe, stable and prosperous.

Oleg Stepanov - Director of the Foreign Policy Planning Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.

International Affairs