BRICS+: Current Agenda

This article provides a comparative analysis of the roles played by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with the current and potential role that the BRICS+ alliance through its New Development Bank (NDB) in both financing and developing policy recommendations aimed at economic development among member countries. The World Bank and IMF have traditionally been the main institutions influencing global economic policies. However, the emergence of BRICS+ as a significant player in the global economy has added a new dimension to this landscape. While the Bretton Woods institutions promoted and often imposed neoliberal policies on countries recipients of financing, the NDB places its focus on strengthening their economic sovereignty. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, the article examines the approaches, methodologies, and implications of these institutions in providing financing and advice to countries seeking to strengthen their economic sovereignty. Drawing on a wide range of academic literature, official documents, and case studies, this article highlights the various strategies employed by these institutions and assesses their effectiveness in supporting countries in implementing sovereign economic policies. Based on this, the article provides recommendations for the wider and more comprehensive approach of the BRICS+ and its NDB in order to improve its effectiveness to help its member countries in meeting the challenges of the multipolar world that is shaping up.

While Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles are globally recognized, their implementation within the BRICS bloc is uniquely complex due to diverse socio-economic contexts, varied institutional environments, and the largely discretionary nature of ESG reporting. Existing research points to substantial disparities in ESG performance among these nations, yet a systematic comparative analysis remains underexplored. This study aims to quantitatively assess and compare the level and nature of ESG commitment within leading companies across the BRICS nations to illuminate these distinct national priorities. The study employs a term frequency (TF) methodology to analyze non-financial corporate reports from the top 10 publicly listed companies in each BRICS country, selected by market capitalization and other financial indicators. A specialized ESG dictionary was developed based on Bloomberg’s rating methodology and categorized into four pillars: Environmental (E), Social (S), Governance (G), and Methodological (M). A Python script was used to calculate the frequency of these terms, providing a quantitative measure of disclosure focus. The analysis revealed significant heterogeneity in ESG reporting priorities across the bloc. Russian companies demonstrated the highest frequency of Environmental and Social terms. Chinese companies showed the strongest focus on Governance terminology. Brazilian companies led in the usage of Methodological and analytical terms. Overall ESG engagement, measured by total term frequency, was highest in China, followed by Brazil, with South Africa showing the lowest levels of disclosure.

The article analyzes the opportunities and main directions for developing the BRICS+ partnership and those who wish to join, emphasizing the importance of ensuring national conditions for the balanced development of all areas of the state’s life, including the economy, science, industry, education, information space, and social environment. The emerging strategic platform for cooperation should contribute to solving humanitarian issues and creating conditions for political and economic development, which will serve as an important foundation for the sustainability and prosperity of countries. This can only be achieved through the construction of a unified and indivisible security construct on the Eurasian continent.

The article examines the prospects and challenges associated with the potential expansion of BRICS in the Latin American region. The research is based on the application of PESTLE and SWOT analytical frameworks, which make it possible to structure the factors of interaction and provide a systematic assessment of its dynamics. The paper consistently examines the key determinants of this process. The political context is shaped by the counteraction of the United States, the intra-regional dynamics of the “pink tide,” and Brazil’s role as a regional leader within the bloc. Economic factors - such as the complementarity of national economies, access to investments from the New Development Bank, and opportunities to enter new markets - serve as the main incentives for Latin American countries. In addition, the study highlights the influence of social factors, particularly the pro-Western orientation of regional states, as well as the importance of technological cooperation and legal aspects related to the informal status of BRICS. The authors identify the strengths (economic potential, ideological appeal) and opportunities (amplification of the “Global South” voice, implementation of infrastructure projects) that foster closer cooperation. At the same time, the paper outlines the weaknesses (institutional amorphousness, internal contradictions) and threats (external geopolitical pressure, regional instability) that constrain the integration of Latin American countries into the BRICS framework. In conclusion, the authors argue that the most sustainable form of engagement could be the “BRICS+” model, which envisages expanding the circle of dialogue partners without granting full membership. This approach would make it possible to minimize risks and strengthen the position of the association in the global system.

This article examines Russian-Chinese cooperation in the Arctic, with the primary objective of assessing its role in advancing technological sovereignty and safeguarding the national interests of both states. It reviews domestic scholarly perspectives in Russia and China on sovereignty challenges and strategic threats, and explores bilateral mechanisms for mitigating these risks. The study also analyzes the implementation of current and recently updated Arctic strategies of both nations. The findings indicate that while Russia and China maintain distinct national priorities, their strategic interests largely converge, thereby strengthening the potential for sustained bilateral cooperation in the Arctic region

Economic cooperation among the countries of the Global South is reshaping the architecture of the world economy amid growing geopolitical fragmentation and the erosion of traditional centers of global influence. This article examines the structural foundations, institutional mechanisms, and new forms of South-South cooperation across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, focusing particularly on the coordination potential of the BRICS+ framework. The research employs comparative institutional analysis, network modeling of trade and investment linkages, and documentary analysis of national development strategies and multilateral agreements. The results reveal three major transformations: 1) the formation of transregional production and logistics corridors that bypass traditional global hubs; 2) accelerated institutionalization of new financial platforms and local-currency mechanisms; and 3) increasing technological and industrial collaboration within the Global South. The discussion highlights the persistent challenges of institutional heterogeneity, infrastructure asymmetry, and regulatory fragmentation, while also identifying strategic pathways for deepening cooperation. The article concludes that BRICS+ is evolving into a systemic coordination hub with the capacity to integrate regional initiatives and amplify the development potential of the Global South.

The article examines two forms of African ethnic philosophy - Bantu and Ubuntu - that have been evolving in the postcolonial period of the continent. It highlights the core principles and the categorical framework of ethnophilosophy, rooted in the indigenous values and traditions of African peoples. The analysis focuses on Bantu philosophy, widespread in Southern Africa and theoretically founded in Placide Tempels’ seminal work Bantu Philosophy. The study emphasizes the ontological and anthropocentric nature of Bantu thought, which is based on the belief in a special life force permeating the peoples belonging to this broad ethnic group. It explores the worldview of African ethnic communities shaped by Bantu philosophy and discusses the pursuit of identity through this philosophical lens. The article also identifies the metaphysical principles of Ubuntu ethnophilosophy, where ubuntu means “humanity” in Zulu. Ubuntu, as both a worldview and a mode of theorizing among sub-Saharan peoples, encapsulates two fundamental dimensions: rootedness in cosmic being and the unfolding of human existence within the universe. The study traces certain paradigmatic features of Ubuntu as a philosophy that transcends specific ethnic communities. It introduces the African conceptualization of umuntu, which, in a universal philosophical sense, denotes the notion of a human being. The article underscores the significance of both Bantu and Ubuntu philosophies for the social, cultural, educational, and political development of the African continent

In recent years, increasing attention has been devoted to the issue of Russian identity. In this context, there is a growing need for a detailed exploration of the phenomenon of Russian identity under contemporary conditions. This article examines Russian philosophy as a key factor shaping Russia’s national identity. Special emphasis is placed on the works of Professor Vladimir Nikolaevich Belov, a leading scholar in the history of Russian philosophy.