Today's Edition
By Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali
BRICS has become a significant player on the global stage, representing the world’s largest population and geographic area. As a major economic and political alliance, it competes with the world’s most influential coalitions. Given the shift toward a multipolar world order, BRICS member states must rely on think tanks to analyse current issues, generate insights, shape policy, and develop forward-looking strategies and solutions to help BRICS nations address challenges and capitalise on opportunities.
To this end, TRENDS Research & Advisory, in partnership with Russian news agency TASS and RT, brought together more than 14 academic and research institutions from BRICS countries for the first TRENDS BRICS Think Tank Summit. Held alongside the BRICS Summit in Kazan, this think tank summit provided a forum for presenting ideas that support the economic development of BRICS nations, fostering cooperation among think tanks, establishing enduring bridges of partnership across the bloc, and devising innovative strategies that pave the way for sustainable development and contribute to peace and prosperity.
In a world beset by escalating crises and conflicts, the BRICS think tanks bear the responsibility of transforming challenges into opportunities and shaping them into sound policies that bolster the BRICS nations on the global stage. The summit encouraged in-depth discussions among BRICS think tanks on the most effective pathways to enhance cooperation and overcome obstacles, guiding the BRICS nations toward shared growth.
The BRICS countries collectively account for 45% of the world’s population, 28.8% of the global economy, and 20% of international trade. These figures highlight the essential role of think tanks in developing young researchers, enhancing BRICS countries’ collective knowledge base, and creating economic, political, and social policies that fortify the bloc. This approach requires rigorous scientific proposals and forward-looking strategies with clear, actionable outcomes.
TRENDS placed an emphasis on “thought diplomacy,” highlighting the role of think tanks, media, civil society, and the private sector in fostering development, promoting international cooperation, and leveraging technological advancements to raise awareness among BRICS citizens. By providing institutions with insights capable of achieving the bloc’s objectives, think tanks can help BRICS look toward a more prosperous future.
The TRENDS initiative to establish a BRICS Think Tank Economic Studies Platform emerged from this summit, creating an interactive forum where experts and researchers from BRICS think tanks can exchange knowledge, analyse economic data, and provide reliable research. This platform aims to deepen understanding of economic challenges and opportunities while supporting sustainable growth through well-defined policies.
TRENDS has long championed collaboration with think tanks worldwide, recognising the value of dialogue and knowledge exchange in bridging research gaps through joint projects that prioritise prosperity, development, and peace in the Middle East and beyond.
In line with our global vision, TRENDS Research & Advisory has established a physical office in Moscow, Russia, building a bridge for communication between researchers and experts in the Middle East and Russia. This move expands TRENDS’ network with research, academic, and political institutions and places the centre at the heart of global decision-making.
On the sidelines of the BRICS Think Tank Summit, TRENDS has also signed an academic and research partnership agreement with Lobachevsky University in Russia and finalised a second cooperation memorandum with Iran’s Governance and Policy Think Tank (GPTT). These collaborations enhance TRENDS’ reach, increase its access to information, and promote cooperation on research projects.
Think tanks have become essential pillars in the development of economic, social, and strategic knowledge and policies. Successful collaboration in research and intellectual exchange among BRICS nations can amplify their global influence.
The TRENDS Think Tank Summit offers a platform for knowledge exchange, identifying shared challenges, and exploring common solutions. Through this collaboration, think tanks can provide insights to help tackle geopolitical, economic, and climate challenges, opening new horizons for BRICS on the international stage. This approach aligns with the spirit of openness and cooperation that characterises the BRICS nations, promoting mutual benefits for all.
