Joint action to face global woes urged at BRICS event

BRICS countries should join hands to spur innovation in governance and tackle common challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and global poverty, experts said at a major seminar.

Richard Levin, special master for labor tenants at the Land Claims Court in Randburg, South Africa, said at the BRICS Seminar on Governance and Cultural Exchange Forum 2020 that the pandemic has severely affected the world, and all countries need to make adjustments and work together to address global problems such as poverty.

He added that China, South Africa and other African countries have always been committed to multilateralism and could play important roles in pushing forward innovation in governance, and that he hopes BRICS countries－Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa－will gain a larger voice in global governance.

Du Zhanyuan, president of China International Publishing Group, said that BRICS successfully evolved from a concept into an organization and it continues to develop, because the countries represent emerging economies. BRICS countries have consistently put forward fresh ideas and solutions on global issues from new perspectives to promote the development of global governance, Du said.

The BRICS mechanism is a product of innovation, he said, and should continue to play a more active role in leading the world out of its difficulties.

Pavel Negoitsa, general director of the editorial office of Russian newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, said that because of COVID-19, more people across the world will fall into poverty. China has made tremendous achievements in poverty alleviation in the past few decades and its experiences are worth learning worldwide. He also suggested that BRICS countries hold a forum to share experiences in lifting people out of poverty.

People-to-people and cultural exchanges are also critical to BRICS countries. Chinese film director Lu Chuan previously organized the filming of Kids and Glory, the first documentary of its kind jointly produced and broadcast by BRICS countries. He said the film has been a cultural product and popular art form with people of all countries, and it could serve as an "ambassador" in international cultural exchanges.

Lu said he expected to make more jointly produced documentaries among BRICS countries on a wide range of topics, including music, history and literature.

More than 150 participants from BRICS countries attended the seminar and forum on Thursday and Friday. The event was co-organized by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, China International Publishing Group, Guangming Daily, Rossiyskaya Gazeta and the Russia-China Friendship Association.

chenyingqun@chinadaily.com.cn