The 12th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security 

On June 15, 2022, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi chaired the 12th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security in Beijing via video link. 

Yang stressed, the BRICS countries have always upheld the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, firmly safeguarded the common interests of the vast developing countries, and will make well preparations for the upcoming 14th BRICS Summit under the political guidance of the leaders of the five countries. 

The meeting reviewed the work of the working groups on counter-terrorism and cybersecurity, unanimously agreed to jointly advance the relevant plans and road maps of international counter-terrorism cooperation and cybersecurity cooperation, safeguard the United Nations’ central role in coordinating the global counter-terrorism efforts, and call for building a global Internet governance system featuring greater inclusiveness, representation and democracy. 

The parties exchanged in-depth views on important issues such as strengthening multilateralism and global governance, coping with new threats and challenges to national security, and strengthening and improving governance in new territories, and reached a series of consensus. All parties unanimously expressed readiness to push for fruitful outcomes of the 14th BRICS Summit. 

Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Agriculture 

The 12th Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Agriculture was held via video link on June 8. With the theme of strengthening BRICS cooperation for coordinated agriculture and rural development, the meeting carried out profound exchanges on deepening practical cooperation in agriculture and rural development, highlighting the importance of ensuring global food security and reducing poverty,among others. 

The meeting reviewed and adopted a joint statement of BRICS agriculture ministers and a document on BRICS food security cooperation strategy. Tang Renjian, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, delivered a keynote speech at the Meeting, which was also addressed by ministers of agriculture of Brazil, Russia,India and South Africa. 

Tang pointed out that the Chinese Government has attached great importance to agricultural and rural 

development, pushed forward rural revitalization with concerted efforts and accelerated agricultural and rural modernization. In poverty alleviation, China has established a dynamic monitoring and assistance program to prevent the return to poverty. People who may fall back to poverty are included in the program and provided with targeted relief assistance. 

Attendees shared their good practices with an aim to build consensus, tap cooperation potential and seek solutions to address challenges and achieve the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

The meeting also announced the establishment of a BRICS forum on agriculture and rural development as a new institutional platform to further exchanges and cooperation among BRICS countries. 

Meeting of BRICS Heads of Customs Administrations 

Customs authorities of BRICS countries vowed to deepen cooperation on intelligent customs at a virtual meeting on June 7. Customs cooperation between BRICS countries has seen fruitful results since the establishment of thecooperation mechanism in 2013, while bilateral trade has maintained steady growth, said Sun Yuning, deputy head of the General Administration of Customs of China, at the Meeting of BRICS Heads o f Customs Administrations. 

China’s bilateral trade with BRICS countries totaled $490.42 billion in 2021, up 39.2 percent year on year, higher than the overall level of China’s foreign trade in the same period, official data shows. 

All parties should gradually improve the intelligence level of customs infrastructure,supervision methods and administrative management, and form cross-border coordinated governance among border administration departments,Sun said. 

Against current risks and challenges,the participants pledged to ensurethat the customs authorities of BRICS countries continue to work together to safeguard the international supply chain and promote rapid economic and trade recovery among BRICS countries. 

Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Education 

On May 26, the 9th Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Education was held virtu- ally. Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng moderated and addressed the meeting. His counterparts from Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa attended the meeting. Consensus was reached on the priorities of the future educational cooperation among BRICS and Declaration of the 9th Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Education was adopted as an important outcome of this meeting.  

Huai indicated that, even in the sophisticated circumstance, under which profound changes unseen in a century intertwined with COVID-19 pandemic, many new progresses have been achieved with the guidance by BRICS leaders. Education is a vital part of BRICS cooperation. With great support from Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa, China has been successfully leading the role in establishing the BRICS TVET Cooperation Alliance and launching the 2022 BRICS Skills Competition, which are in response to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s call at the 14th BRICS Summit. The educational cooperation has been in- vigorated among BRICS. 

Attendees from BRICS appreciated Ministry of Education of China for orga- nizing the meeting. BRICS ministers of education shared experiences and practices respectively, and agreed to uphold the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win- win cooperation, explore more opportunities for educational cooperation, implement substantive collaborations, and enrich educational exchanges, so as to tackle with challenges in education and promote joint development of education in all BRICS countries. 

Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Culture 

On May 24, the 7th Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Culture was held via video link. Minister of Culture and Tourism Hu Heping presided over the meeting and delivered a keynote speech. Brazilian Special Secretary of Culture of the Ministry of Tourism Hélio Ferraz de Oliveira, Russian Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova, Indian Minister of State for Culture Meenakshi Lekhi, and South African Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa attended the meeting. 

Under the theme of Establishing a Cultural Partnership Featuring Inclusiveness and Mutual Learning among BRICS, the min- isters had an in-depth exchange of views on promoting the development and coopera- tion on cultural digitization, strengthening cooperation on cultural heritage protection, and advancing the building of cultural ex- change platforms of BRICS countries. At the meeting, the ministers signed the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Agreement between the Governments of the BRICS States on Cooperation in the Field of Culture (2022-2026). 

Hu said that people-to-people exchange is the “third pillar” of BRICS cooperation. The BRICS countries are committed to promoting cultural diversity, facilitating exchanges and mutual learning, and enhancing the friend- ship among the peoples. Together, the BRICS countries have made notable progress in strengthening cooperation mechanisms, expanding cooperation space, and organiz- ing activities for the benefit of the people, which has laid a strong popular foundation for deepening practical cooperation and consolidating BRICS partnership. 

BRICS cultural ministers expressed their appreciation to China for organizing the meeting and pledged to expand exchanges and cooperation in the spirit of inclusiveness and mutual learning, so as to make BRICS cultural cooperation a model of exchange and mutual learning among civilizations and contribute “BRICS power” to the progress of human civilization and world peace and prosperity. 

All parties agreed that BRICS countries should continue to strengthen cooperation in promoting the protection and utilization of cultural heritage, combating illegal trafficking of cultural relics, developing digital culture and unlocking the cultural creativity of young people, and lend new impetus into cultural exchanges among the BRICS countries. 

BRICS Industry Ministers Meeting 

On May 23, the 6th BRICS Industry Ministers Meeting was held virtu- ally in Xiamen, Fujian Province. Chaired by Xiao Yaqing, Minister of Industry and Information Technology of China, themeeting was attended by South African Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel, Brazilian Vice Minister of Economy Daniella Marques Consentino, Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, and Indian Minister of State of Commerce and Industry Sh. Som Parkash. 

Xiao said, China is willing to deepen co- operation on New Industrial Revolution and promote sustainable development featuring more strength, health and resilience to- gether with all parties. 

The industry ministers attending the meeting appreciated the constructive role of the Chinese Presidency and wel- comed the progress of BRICS industrial cooperation achieved this year. The meet- ing conducted an in-depth discussion on the theme of Deepening Innovative Cooperation on New Industrial Revolution for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Stronger, Healthier and more Resilient Manner and adopted the Joint Declaration of the 6th BRICS Industry Ministers Meeting. 

BRICS Environment Ministers Meeting 

On May 20, as the BRICS presidency, China successfully hosted the 8th BRICS Environment Ministers Meeting online with the theme of “Join Hands to Facilitate Green and Low-carbon Development”. Huang Runqiu, Minister of Ecology and Environment of China, presided over the meeting and delivered an opening speech and a keynote address. 

Environment ministers from all other BRICS countries attended the meeting and delivered remarks including Ms. Barbara Creecy, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment of South Africa, Mr. Marcus Paranaguá, Secretary of Climate and International Relations of Brazil, Mr. Alexander Kozlov, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Russia, and Mr. Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India. 

Huang recalled the progress made since the first BRICS Environment Ministers Meeting held in 2015, which has become an important platform for BRICS coun- tries to jointly seek solutions to improve environmental governance and tackle global environmental challenges. BRICS environmental cooperation has become a significant and integral part of the international process of advancing global ecological and environmental protection. Adhering to the guiding principles of the leaders’ sum- mits, BRICS environmental authorities have always been deepening practical cooperation by enhancing mutual learning, exchanges and dialogues. 

Delegates from BRICS countries ex- changed in-depth views and reached broad consensus on topics including accelerating the green and low-carbon transition, achiev- ing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and continuously strengthening coop- eration on environment. 

The meeting reviewed and endorsed the Joint Statement for the Eighth BRICS Environment Ministers Meeting. The Statement highlights the significance of ac- celerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and demonstrates the agreement and vision of BRICS countries in boosting green, low- carbon and sustainable development. It also urges BRICS countries to step up policy dialogue and joint research, and carry out closer cooperation in the areas of tackling climate change, biodiversity conservation and marine environmental protection. 

BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting 

On the evening of May 19, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired the virtual meeting of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations in Beijing. South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor, Brazilian Foreign Minister Carlos Alberto Franco França, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar attended the meeting. 

President Xi Jinping delivered a video ad- dress at the opening session of the meeting. Wang said, President Xi spoke highly of the significance of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, profoundly expounded on security and development, and put forward impor- tant opinions on deepening BRICS political and security cooperation, thus pointing out the direction for us to make a success of this meeting. 

Wang said, the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is an important platform for BRICS political and security cooperation. Over the past five years, under the strategic guidance of leaders of BRICS countries, we have sent a common message on major international issues of common concern on multilateral platforms, and firmly safeguarded the com- mon interests of the five countries. Currently,a series of new features and challenges have emerged in the international landscape due to the major changes in the world and the COVID-19 pandemic, both unseen in a century. We should have a clear understand- ing of the direction, grasp the general trend, build consensus, strengthen confidence, and understand and adapt to changes. 

The foreign ministers appreciated China’s active role in fighting the pandemic and coping with global climate change, and are ready to strengthen cooperation in pan- demic response, trade, health, people-to- people and cultural affairs, climate change and other fields, and fully implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, so as to better benefit the people of devel- oping countries and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. 

The foreign ministers supported promot- ing BRICS expansion process, saying that further discussions will be held on this issue. The foreign ministers also exchanged views on Ukraine, Afghanistan, and other regional hotspot issues. 

At the meeting, BRICS Joint Statement on “Strengthen BRICS Solidarity and Cooperation, Respond to New Features and Challenges in International Situation” was is- sued. 

BRICS Health Ministers Meeting 

On May 10, as the BRICS presidency, China successfully hosted the 12th BRICS Health Ministers Meeting online. Minister of the National Health Commission of China, Ma Xiaowei delivered an opening speech, and Vice Minister Li Bin presided over the meeting. 

Ma recalled the progress made since the first BRICS Health Ministers Meeting held in Beijing in 2011, saying that the Chinese government holds on to the philosophy of putting people and their lives first, sticks to scientific and targeted COVID-19 prevention and control measures, as well as dynamic zero strategy, and has striven to coordinate its virus containment measures with economic development. 

At the same time, China has made its contributions to the global fight against the pandemic by providing antivirus materials, vaccines and dispatching medical expert teams overseas. By far, China has provided more than 2.2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 120 countries and international organizations. China calls on the BRICS countries to unite and cooperate in the fight against COVID-19 and jointly contribute to the goal of achieving universal health coverage. 

Delegates from BRICS countries ex- changed in-depth views on topics including COVID-19 prevention and control, health system strengthening and digital health. The meeting agreed to launch work related to the establishment of BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for preventing mass infectious diseases risks and adopted in principle the Declaration of the 12th BRICS Health Ministers Meeting. 

A total of more than 70 delegates including BRICS countries’ health ministers and the WHO Deputy Director-General attended the meeting. Delegates from relevant departments of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Health Commission of China attended the meeting. 

Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting 

China will continue promoting fiscal and financial cooperation among BRICS countries, according to Minister of Finance Liu Kun. 

Liu made the remarks at the First BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in 2022, which was held virtually on April 18. 

“In recent years, BRICS countries have maintained strong cooperation momentum and made important contributions to optimizing global economic governance and boosting the resumption and high-quality development of the global economy,” Liu said.  

Amid sluggish global economic growth, a complicated global situation and hampered global development, Liu called on BRICS countries to shoulder their responsibilities and strengthen macro policy coordination to boost the global economy. 

China will take steps such as information sharing and conducting experience exchanges in infrastructure investment to deepen fiscal and financial cooperation between BRICS countries, Liu said. 

China will work with other member countries to achieve practical results in fiscal and financial cooperation to prepare for the 14th BRICS summit, which will be hosted by China this year. 

The meeting was co-chaired by Liu and China’s central bank governor Yi Gang, and saw participation of finance ministers and central bank governors from other BRICS countries. 

BRICS is the acronym for an emerging-market bloc that groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. China chairs the BRICS this year. 

  

(Based on the official website of BRICS 2022 China)