Nigeria and 14 other countries participated in a ceremonial diplomatic reception in Moscow, Russia, to mark the 20th anniversary of the BRICS group.
The event, held at the Oval Hall of the M. I. Rudomino All-Russia State Library for Foreign Literature, brought together representatives of BRICS member states, partner countries, diplomats and experts.
The reception was part of the BRICS Anniversary Week organised by the TV BRICS International Media Network and the Library for Foreign Literature to commemorate the group’s two-decade journey and discuss its future direction.
Representatives from the embassies of Nigeria, India, Iran, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Uganda, Bolivia, Algeria, Cuba and Colombia attended the event alongside Russian officials and members of the expert community.
Speaking on behalf of India, which holds the BRICS chairmanship in 2026, Deputy Chief of the Indian Diplomatic Mission in Russia, Nikhilesh Giri, said the theme of India’s presidency — “Strengthening Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability” — reflects the importance of collective action among member countries.
Giri said cooperation among BRICS nations would help address global challenges and promote more balanced and inclusive international partnerships.
He also called for reforms of multilateral institutions, including the United Nations, World Trade Organisation, International Monetary Fund and World Bank, to make them more representative and aligned with current global realities.
Director-General of the Library for Foreign Literature, Marina Zakharenko, said the institution had continued to serve as a bridge connecting cultures and civilisations since its establishment in 1921.
Editor-in-Chief and CEO of TV BRICS, Janna Tolstikova, said the bloc had expanded over the years to include 10 member states and remained committed to mutual respect, cooperation, consensus, sovereign equality and openness.
The BRICS Anniversary Week, held from June 15 to 20 in Moscow, featured discussions on the group’s achievements, future prospects and the role of media in strengthening cooperation among BRICS countries.
Source: NAN
