The 2023 BRICS Academic Forum brought together leading scholars, researchers, and policymakers from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa to discuss pressing global challenges and opportunities for collaboration. In his opening address, on the 14th May 2023, South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, highlighted, “The 15th BRICS Academic Forum provides us with another opportunity to strengthen our relations and reaffirm our values in an ever unfortunately polarised global order.”