BRICS and Global Shifts to Highlight 2024 Primakov Readings in Moscow

The 2024 Primakov Readings in Moscow will focus on BRICS' role in the global economy and key international security issues, coinciding with Yevgeny Primakov's 95th birth anniversary.

Russia's leading annual foreign policy forum, the "Primakov Readings," is set to take place in Moscow on June 25-26, 2024. The theme for this year’s event is "Russia in the Global Context." This forum will be particularly significant as it will address the priorities of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) in light of Russia's presidency of the group in 2024, alongside broader shifts in the global landscape.

Prominent attendees include Yury Ushakov, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation; Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Minister; Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council; Sergey Lebedev, Secretary General of the CIS; and several other leading Russian and international experts in fields such as international relations, security, economics, and public policy. The forum will also feature participation from several Indian experts.

This year’s Primakov Readings holds special significance as it coincides with the 95th birth anniversary of Yevgeny M. Primakov, a former Russian prime minister and esteemed statesman. The opening session will be dedicated to his scientific and political legacy.

Key discussion topics at the forum will include:

• BRICS’s role in shaping a new global economic architecture.
• The dynamics of interaction among countries within Greater Eurasia.
• Security concerns in the Baltic region and the impact of current crises on European security.
• The significance of culture in international relations.

The forum's emphasis on BRICS is timely, aligning with Russia’s presidency of the group in 2024 and the upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, scheduled for October.

Dr. Alexander Dynkin, President of IMEMO, explained the theme choice, highlighting that over nearly 10 years, the forum has tackled global issues such as the risks of returning to confrontation, the horizons of post-globalization, the rise of Eurasia, and the peculiarities of the post-Covid world. He emphasized the forum’s role in predicting and analyzing the evolving global order.

Dr. Dynkin also noted the resilience of the Russian economy despite unprecedented sanctions, crediting it to a deep understanding of Russia's realities and the ability to adapt to global changes.

The "Primakov Readings" is organized by the Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO), Russian Academy of Sciences; the Primakov Centre for Foreign Policy Cooperation; the World Trade Centre; and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation.

The BRICS group represents over 40% of the world's population and about 25% of the global GDP, making its role in the global economy increasingly influential. The focus on BRICS at the Primakov Readings reflects its potential to drive significant changes in international economic policies and power structures.

The forum's attention to security issues in the Baltic region and European security amid current crises is particularly relevant given the ongoing geopolitical tensions and conflicts in Europe, which have wide-ranging implications for global stability.

Culture's role in international relations is another vital topic, recognizing how cultural diplomacy can foster better understanding and cooperation among nations, which is crucial in the current polarized global environment.

Overall, the Primakov Readings 2024 promises to be a platform for insightful discussions on the major geopolitical and economic challenges facing the world today, with a focus on Russia's role and its strategic partnerships through BRICS.