The virtual forum of BRICS political parties, think tanks and civil society organizations is opened on May 19, 2022 in Beijing. Photo: courtesy of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee

 




Chinese President Xi Jinping urged BRICS members to remain true to its founding purposes and work with other developing countries to rise to challenges and open up brighter futures given the fragile global economic recovery, widening development gap and serious challenges such as climate change and digital governance in a congratulatory letter to the video forum of BRICS political parties, think tanks and civil society organizations on Thursday.

Xi pointed out that China is ready to work with all countries, including the BRICS countries, to accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, steadily push for the implementation of Global Development Initiatives, and jointly build a global development community.

Political parties, think tanks and civil society organizations of BRICS and other developing countries should fulfill their responsibilities, deepen exchanges, and contribute wisdom and power to achieve common global development and build a community with a shared future for mankind, emphasized Xi.

Held by the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, China Council for BRICS Think-tank Cooperation and China NGO Network for International Exchanges, the forum was opened on Thursday in Beijing. 

Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, noted that as the representatives of developing countries and emerging markets, the BRICS members should act as the promoters of common development, international cooperation, global security and human progress.

Song urged political parties, think tanks and civil society organizations of BRICS members to exert their unique advantages in strengthening cooperation against COVID-19 and in technology innovation, anti-poverty and green development.

More than 130 representatives of political parties, think tanks and civil society organizations from 10 countries and regions attended the forum via video link. Besides the BRICS members, representatives of the rotating presidency of G20, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, The Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation and African Union also attended the forum, including Indonesia, Argentina, Cambodia, Bangladesh and Senegal.

The holding of the forum is very critical because the political parties, think tanks and civil society organizations are important elements of promoting effective cooperation between BRICS members who play an important role in the development of global south, David Monyae, director of the Centre for Africa-China Studies in University of Johannesburg, told the Global Times on Thursday.

"The political parties, think tanks and civil society organizations can not only work to consolidate the existing achievement of the BRICS mechanism, but also explore new cooperation areas such as high tech, e-commerce and common efforts against terrorism," said David Monyae.