The 2022 BRICS Think Tank Forum was successfully held online on May 17th, co-organized by the Research Center of the Counsellors’ Office of the State Council (COSC) and the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation (CAITEC). Under the theme “Foster High-quality BRICS Partnership, Usher in a New Era for Global Development”, discussions at the Forum focused on seizing development opportunities, jointly tackling risks and challenges, sustaining the momentum of BRICS cooperation, building a community with a shared future for mankind, and making positive contributions to world peace and development. Zhang Yantong, COSC Vice Chairman, attended the forum and delivered a speech.

Vice Chairman Zhang Yantong said in his speech that BRICS cooperation has become one of the most important multilateral cooperation mechanisms after 16 years of development. BRICS solidarity and cooperation is in line with the development trend of human society and the common expectations of the people of all countries for a better life. China is committed to contributing wisdom and strength to the promotion of BRICS cooperation. The “five principles” put forward by President Xi Jinping have boosted cooperation in five major areas, providing China’s perspective for BRICS and the wider international community to tackle challenges, and demonstrating China’s responsibility as a major country. BRICS countries will make a stronger voice, put forward more initiatives, play a greater role, and open up a brighter future for the people of the five countries, for the emerging markets and developing countries, and for world peace and development.

CAITEC President Gu Xueming said in his speech that this year is the BRICS China Year. This forum is highly relevant as it focuses on the common interests of emerging markets and developing countries and the future development of BRICS. Despite the flare-ups of COVID-19, geopolitical tensions and worldwide inflation, the foreign trade of BRICS countries has grown rapidly, making an important contribution to the recovery of the world economy. BRICS countries should give priority to high quality economic and trade development, fully unleash the potential for cooperation, jointly safeguard and practice true multilateralism, strengthen cooperation on trade, investment, industrial chain and supply chain, and seize development opportunities in emerging fields, so as to make greater contributions to an open world economy.

About 40 scholars attended the forum, including relevant Counsellors of the State Council, COSC research fellows, experts from the CAITEC, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, Beijing Normal University, and China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, as well as academics from the Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) of Brazil, the National Research University Higher School of Economics of Russia, the Observer Research Foundation of India, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Human Science Research Council of South Africa and the University of Pretoria of South Africa.

Scholars and experts had in-depth exchange and put forward constructive advice and suggestions on the following topics: Push for an economic globalization that is more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial for all; Deepen cooperation in various fields and building closer and more practical collaboration partnerships, to address common challenges and create a better future; Enhance exchange and cooperation of think tanks in BRICS and deliver "BRICS Proposal" to the world; Pursue mutual learning and expand people-to-people exchange and cooperation.

(Source: Research Center of the Counsellors’ Office of the State Council of PRC)