From May 25 to 26, the international seminar titled “Green BRICS, Golden Future” was held in Beijing, bringing together scholars and guests from various countries to discuss pathways for global green development and prospects for cooperation. Key figures in attendance included Jin Xin, Assistant Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary-General of the Chinese Council for BRICS Think Tank Cooperation; Zhang Donggang, Secretary of the Party Committee of Renmin University of China; Xie Wei, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Shanghai Pudong Development Bank; Zhao Han, Vice Chairman of the Haidian District CPPCC and Director of the District Development and Reform Commission; Elena Gina Reichel, former Austrian Ambassador to China and Chairperson of the Global Sustainable Energy Forum; and Gustavo Pedrazas, former Minister of Sustainable Development and Planning of Bolivia. Experts and scholars from over 20 countries and regions, including BRICS member and partner countries, as well as representatives from various sectors such as business and media, participated in the event.
In his opening remarks, Jin Xin emphasized that as a vital member of the BRICS cooperation mechanism and the “Global South,” China has consistently adhered to the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind. He noted that China actively promotes green development cooperation among BRICS countries and supports the global sustainable development process. Jin highlighted that think tank exchanges and cooperation play a significant role in building a “Green BRICS” and stressed the need to strengthen green consensus, amplify the BRICS voice, and foster collaboration among BRICS and Global South countries in the transition to a green and low-carbon economy. He called for enhanced policy research to provide intellectual support for the green development of BRICS and Global South nations and advocated for deepening pragmatic cooperation to create opportunities for multi-level and multi-field collaboration.
During the keynote speeches, Sergio Queiroz, a researcher at the Brazilian Institute of Applied Economic Research; Ampha Keukuen, Senior Research Fellow at the East Asian Institute of Thammasat University in Thailand; and Murtala Okty, Senior Research Fellow at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Nigeria, each shared their insights. Sergio Queiroz discussed the potential for BRICS countries to collaborate in constructing digital infrastructure, establishing joint research centers, and enhancing technology talent cultivation in the field of artificial intelligence governance to achieve inclusive growth and avoid technological monopolies. He expressed hope that the seminar would further deepen pragmatic cooperation among BRICS nations in digital transformation and sustainable development.
Ampha Keukuen presented Thailand’s “Bio-Circular-Green Economy” sustainable development strategy, focusing on four key industries: agriculture and food, energy materials, health care, and creative tourism. He highlighted the role of technological innovation in driving industrial upgrades, reducing carbon emissions, and increasing economic value, offering a viable path for sustainable development in developing countries. He expressed hope that the seminar would promote international cooperation on green development strategies for inclusive growth.
Murtala Okty addressed the challenges Nigeria faces in implementing its national green development strategy, particularly concerning funding and technology. He urged BRICS countries to take a leadership role in establishing green financial facilities, co-developing cross-border technology parks, conducting joint research and training, and ensuring inclusive development, thus leading a global transition to green development and turning commitments into actions for a fair and sustainable future.
During the seminar, the “Global South” Green Cooperation Joint Research Project and the Green Cooperation Workstation were officially launched. Zhao Han and Elena Gina Reichel unveiled the Green Cooperation Workstation. The project, led by the National Development and Strategic Research Institute of Renmin University of China, aims to provide recommendations on green transformation and international cooperation in alignment with the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and climate change objectives. It seeks to enhance the green sustainable development capacity of BRICS and Global South nations.
The Green Cooperation Workstation will leverage resources from enterprises, talent, and ecological assets in Beijing, particularly in Haidian District, to integrate efforts from government, industry, academia, research, and commerce. It aims to actively respond to the “Green BRICS” initiative, facilitating cooperation in green industries, clean energy, and green minerals between BRICS countries and Global South nations, especially for green tech enterprises in Beijing and Haidian District.
This seminar was jointly organized by the Chinese Council for BRICS Think Tank Cooperation and Renmin University of China, with the National Development and Strategic Research Institute of Renmin University serving as the organizer, and with support from the Haidian District CPPCC, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, and the Chinese Modernization Research Institute of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.
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