The 10th BRICS Parliamentary Forum commenced in St. Petersburg today, with Russian President Vladimir Putin among the high-profile attendees.
Putin's participation, confirmed yesterday by Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, underscores the significance of the forum. In addition to addressing the forum, Putin is scheduled to hold several bilateral meetings with participating dignitaries. Matviyenko emphasized the president's commitment to parliamentary diplomacy, stating that he "understands more than anyone else how important parliamentary interaction is, including in the BRICS format."
Over 400 delegates from 16 countries, including representatives from all BRICS nations, are convening in St. Petersburg for the two-day event. The forum, themed "The role of parliaments in strengthening multilateralism for equitable global development and security," aims to address pressing global challenges. This theme, according to Matviyenko, "succinctly reflects the main contemporary challenges" and aligns with Russia's focus on "fair and secure development."
The event sees the participation of prominent figures like Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma, leading the Russian parliamentary delegation, alongside Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov. Parliamentarians from Brazil, Egypt, India, Iran, China, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, South Africa, and observer states are also in attendance. Representatives from the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, including delegates from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, contribute to the diverse assembly.
The first day features a plenary session dedicated to strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation within the BRICS framework, with addresses expected from the heads of each delegation. An extended plenary session will focus on the role of parliaments in enhancing the effectiveness and democratization of international relations.
Day two will see discussions on countering the fragmentation of the multilateral trading system, overcoming challenges posed by global crises, and fostering inter-parliamentary cooperation in humanitarian and cultural spheres.
Addressing Global Food Security
Senator Alexander Dvoinikh, Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Agrarian and Food Policy, highlighted the forum's role as a platform for addressing crucial issues like global food security. Dvoinikh expressed confidence that concrete proposals to ensure uninterrupted food supplies and improve market access for developing countries would be put forth. He stressed the detrimental impact of "illegal sanctions, restrictions and bans" on food security, emphasizing the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in removing these barriers and facilitating food supplies. Drawing from his recent experience in China, Dvoinikh noted the effectiveness of direct dialogue between parliamentarians, particularly those representing agricultural regions, in tackling food security challenges.
Concrete Outcomes and Future Cooperation
The forum is expected to yield tangible outcomes, including the signing of a protocol to the existing Memorandum of Understanding and the adoption of a joint declaration reflecting the discussions and agreements reached. Several bilateral meetings are also planned between the heads of the Russian parliament and their foreign counterparts.
Furthermore, a meeting of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly Council is scheduled for July 12, further solidifying regional cooperation.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Peter H\Pixabay
Based on materials from TASS