On 25-26 June 2025 the Institute for Applied Economic Research (Ipea) as part of its Brazilian BRICS Presidency hosted the 17 BRICS Academic Forum, in Brasilia, Brazil. This years’ Academic Forum theme “Global South-Driven Cooperation for Inclusive, Sustainable Development and Reform of Global Governance”, guided carefully considered conversation that led to robust and purposefully actionable recommendations.
Leading the South African delegation to the Academic Forum was the South African BRICS Thinks Tank Council Chairperson, and CEO of the Human Sciences Research Council, Prof Sarah Mosoetsa. In her opening address Prof Mosoetse delivered a powerful call to action for the bloc’s future. She advocated for the institutionalization of BRICS through apermanent secretariat, calling for structured, strategic, permanent secretariat, calling for structured, strategic, and sustained cooperation across academic and policy domains. We must move beyond project-based support to sustained financing for research as a public good,” she stated.
Prof Mosoetsa also expressed solidarity with Iran acknowledging the absence of the Islamic Republic and reaffirming the commitment to strengthening scholarly, diplomatic, and developmental ties. She evoked the spirit of Fortaleza.