The need to balance limited natural resources with consumption-led growth is the biggest challenge facing the 2030 Development Agenda. The panel on creating and promoting more sustainable lifestyles explored how the BRICS grouping can reimagine consumption patterns and align them with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The economy, the environment and energy were three critical issues that the panel discussed as the “forgotten” SDGs are of critical importance for the BRICS to investigate...

This panel examined the latest developments in green energy and explored how BRICS can cooperate on green energy investments, research and development, financing, regulations and technology. The panel recommended that the BRICS Energy Research Cooperation Platform be expanded to include Renewable Energy Associations, local governments and academic institutions. It also suggested that International Relations ministries should engage their Consulate Offices to identify strategic partners via Re...

This panel discussion was a response to the significant challenges confronting women as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, from women’s weakened participation in the labour force to the escalation in unpaid work as carers. The panel examined the post-pandemic policy, business and socio-economic landscape for women and explored how BRICS can support women-led economic growth. The panellists proposed the establishment of a policy for labour-related care for women and a social security grant for wo...

The 13th BRICS Academic Forum, held virtually, commenced with a panel examining the transformations in geopolitics and geoeconomics and exploring what BRICS can do to shape the emerging world order. SABTT Chairperson Prof Siphamandla Zondi reflected on the challenges faced by nations within the BRICS and pointed out that there was a pressing need to reinforce and rebuild representative multilateralism. “We need to reinforce and deepen economic integration and finance sustainable development pro...