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BRICS leaders discuss Ukraine war, de-dollarization, expansion plans during summit


BRICS leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa met on Wednesday as part of an open panel where they discussed key issues, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, de-dollarization and the bloc’s expansion.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazil’s leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Chinese President Xi Jinping along with Russia’s Vladmir Putin – who attended the panel virtually – echoed a common consensus to bring a peaceful and just end to the Ukraine war.

“A growing number of BRICS countries are engaged in direct contact with Moscow and Kyiv to join efforts that can effectively contribute for immediate cease fire and fair and everlasting peace,” Lula said.

China and South Africa, who emphasized the adherence to the United Nations security council to end the war peacefully, shared similar sentiments.

“Diplomacy dialogue and negotiations and adherence to principle of UN charter are necessary for peaceful and just resolution of conflicts,” Ramaphosa said, reiterating that global peace and stability are a “priority” for South Africa.

President of China Xi Jinping attends the plenary session during the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on August 23, 2023 (AFP)

President of China Xi Jinping attends the plenary session during the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on August 23, 2023 (AFP)

China maintained a similar stance, but Xi criticized the West for exacerbating the conflict by casting undue influence on the UN security council.

“BRICS countries should keep the direction of peaceful resolution and enhance coordination on major international and regional issues,” Xi said.

“International rules must be written and upheld jointly by all countries based on principles of UN charter rather than dictated by those with the strongest muscle or the loudest voice ganging up and packaging their own rules as international norms,” he added.

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Russia’s President Putin upheld the views of his BRICS counterparts on ending the war through peaceful dialogue.

But he criticized the West for “unleashing a war” in the region to expand their “hegemony and policy of ongoing colonialism and neo-colonialism.”

“Our actions in Ukraine are guided by only one thing, to put an end to the war that was unleashed by the West against people in Donbas,” Putin said. “We thank our colleagues within BRICS that take an active part in the attempts to put an end to this situation and to ensure just settlement by peaceful means.”

BRICS expansion

The summit leaders staunchly promoted the bloc’s intentions to expand and enhance economic development.

BRICS needs to “accelerate the expansion process to pull our strength and wisdom to make global governance more just and equitable,” said Xi.

India’s Modi also expressed a similar viewpoint, removing earlier doubts that India was hesitant to expand the bloc.

“India fully supports the expansion of BRICS membership, and we welcome moving forward on this based on consensus,” Modi said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg on August 23, 2023. (AFP)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg on August 23, 2023. (AFP)

An announcement regarding the bloc’s expansion is expected to take place soon, according to Ramaphosa, who said that a decision will be taken in “due course at the summit.”

De-dollarization

The bloc leaders emphasized conducting increased trade within the bloc using local currencies as part of a move towards de-dollarization – reducing the US dollar’s dominance in global trade and finance.

They promoted the achievements of the BRICS New Development Bank in financing various projects, positioning it as an integral part of the bloc’s economic development plan.

“The creation of a common vetted unit for our trade transactions and investment for BRICS countries will increase our payments options and reduce our vulnerabilities,” Lula said.

Delegates listen on during the plenary session as Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his remarks via video-link during the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on August 23, 2023. (AFP)

Delegates listen on during the plenary session as Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his remarks via video-link during the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on August 23, 2023. (AFP)

Russia, who is expected to host the BRICS summit next year, also backed the idea of trading in local currencies within the bloc.

“We are successfully implementing the strategy for BRICS economic partnership 2025, namely to strengthen the bilateral cooperation on areas such diversification of supply chains, de-dollarization, and transfer to local currencies in our mutual settlements,” Putin said.

The BRICS summit will continue for three days, concluding on August 24. Leaders from BRICS nations and other invited delegates are expected to make announcements on key issues concerning the bloc’s expansion and trade relations over the course of the next two days.

Read more:

BRICS summit kicks off with agenda to tackle agricultural trade, develop SMEs

BRICS summit, economic shift: Exploring a new currency and possible de-dollarization

BRICS leaders meet to discuss expansion and geopolitical influence

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Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

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At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

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US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

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