BRICS must improve global governance

The 11 members of BRICS+ are incredibly diverse in culture, civilizational background, social customs and development levels. I realized how diverse they were when I saw a beautiful photo exhibition in a hall after a BRICS seminar in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the last day of June. The seminar was held a week before the scheduled BRICS leaders' meeting in Brazil on July 6-7.

"Christ the Redeemer" stands atop Corcovado Mountain in Rio overlooking the vast Atlantic Ocean. Kremlin and the majestic Red Square glow in the reddish evening sunshine. India's Taj Mahal beckons viewers as an eternal symbol of love. The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) and the Tian'anmen Square in Beijing remind one that no power on Earth can destroy a 5,000-year-old civilization. Then there is the Great Sphinx of Giza in Egypt, a new member of BRICS, sitting in a desert and gazing at the farthest beginning and end of time. And the Azadi Tower in Tehran, an exquisite architectural marvel, with a stern message that no evil force can subdue an ancient people who value their freedom.

There were other photographs, too, displaying the unique richness of South Africa, Indonesia, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. Seeing them, a thought flashed across my mind. Culture is the most precious heritage of humankind. But will it survive if wars and violent conflicts continue to erupt in different parts of the world? Without peace, all the wonderful creations of humankind could turn into rubble.