MWE Correspondent
The BRICS Media and Think Tank Forum, held in Rio de Janeiro, united voices from the Global South to collaboratively reshape narratives and improve the representation of developing countries in international affairs.
This significant gathering brought together over 250 delegates from media organizations, think tanks, government bodies, and enterprises across 36 countries, including BRICS member states, partner nations, and regional organizations.
With a broad consensus among attendees, the forum explored various critical issues under the theme “BRICS United: Forging a New Chapter for the Global South.” Discussions centered on BRICS’ leadership role in advancing the Global South’s development, creating a new digital future, and amplifying the Global South’s voice on the international stage.
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An initiative on artificial intelligence (AI) cooperation and development was unveiled at the forum, following extensive discussions among attendees regarding the roles and responsibilities of media and think tanks in advancing AI collaboration, shaping governance frameworks, and establishing technical standards for the Global South. The initiative emphasized AI’s significant momentum in global communication, industrial cooperation, and knowledge sharing. It highlighted that the BRICS media and think tanks, as a community of collective wisdom among emerging markets and developing countries, must ground their efforts in the realities of the Global South. A collaborative approach to research and development, standards, and governance was advocated to ensure that the benefits of AI are shared globally.
While AI has great potential to enhance quality of life worldwide, Edson Prestes e Silva Junior, a full professor at the Institute of Informatics of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, cautioned that the enthusiasm for its benefits should not overshadow the potential risks associated with both intentional and unintentional applications. He stated, “Therefore, we need to strengthen collaboration between our countries and between the different segments of our societies, and that is exactly what we are doing right now. Only then will we be able to make the AI domain beneficial to our societies, now and in the future.”
In a world marked by geopolitical tensions, persistent inequalities, and the urgent need for more representative global governance, the BRICS group has emerged as a key platform for engaging with rising economies, according to Luis Rene Fernandez Tabio, a full professor at the International Economic Research Center at the University of Havana, Cuba. Jose Juan Sanchez, chief of Brazil’s financial and agricultural information provider CMA Group, echoed this sentiment by noting that despite their political and economic differences, BRICS countries share strategic advantages that can be leveraged to advance the Global South’s development and amplify its influence in global affairs. He pointed out that BRICS countries possess strong economic clout, abundant natural resources, development experience, and financing capacity, positioning them as natural leaders in supporting the Global South. By acting collectively and promoting cooperation, BRICS can reshape the global order to be more multipolar, inclusive, and just.
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Ali Muhammad Ali, managing director of the News Agency of Nigeria, remarked that BRICS is “not just a grouping of emerging economies; we are a force to be reckoned with, and our influence is growing by the day.” He added that for Nigeria, joining BRICS is a straightforward decision due to its strategic position in Africa and eagerness to reshape global governance, challenge Western-dominated institutions, and advocate for systemic reforms.
Wong Chun Wai, chairman of the Malaysian National News Agency, highlighted that we are living through a transformative era where global power dynamics are shifting. The previously overlooked voices of the Global South are finally gaining clarity, strength, and recognition. He noted that BRICS offers an alternative voice that champions multipolarity, sovereignty, and fairness in global governance. The rise of BRICS is part of a broader awakening of the Global South as it asserts itself as a central force in international affairs.
Mikhail Gusman, first deputy director-general of TASS, pointed out that global media faces unprecedented challenges such as a surge of disinformation, historical revisionism, and technological disruptions that undermine the foundations of truth. As a dynamic alliance representing emerging economies and civilizational diversity, BRICS plays a crucial role in advancing the objective of strengthening a fair, multipolar, and rules-based international order.
The voice of BRICS is “loud and clear,” according to Ali from the News Agency of Nigeria. He noted that it represents a growing influence beyond the Global South and is shaping global governance, economic development, and international relations. “We envision a prosperous Global South and a more just and equitable world,” he concluded.
