At present, BRICS cooperation is at a critical time to build on past achievements and open up a new future. BRICS Plus cooperation has expanded a new era of unity in the Global South. The BRICS countries have become an important force in shaping the international landscape and represent the direction of the advancement of human society. Chinese and foreign experts believe that as more and more countries joined the BRICS cooperation, there has been closer people-to-people exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations. Speaking highly of the BRICS cooperation, experts said that the modernization of BRICS countries have stayed true to its founding mission, that is the spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation.

Choose own development path

Ivan Melnikov, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma, Russia, said development and modernization is necessary for the prosperity of each state. The main question is how to approach this modernization. Each path is special in its own way, it must take into account national conditions and specifics, lead to an improvement of the standards of living and well-being of the people of its own country. The path of each BRICS member state is certainly not a straight line, but rather like a graph with both rapid ups and downs. It is important to look for innovative approaches and be ready to gradually reform the necessary areas.

Shi Yulong, Director of Research Center on Xi Jinping's Economic Thought, said that in the process of exploring the path of modernization, it is crucial to formulate effective development strategies based on its own national conditions. At the same time, a country's national condition will also change over time and the change of the internal and external environment. Therefore, we need to maintain a keen insight, and adjust, improve and optimize respective development strategies in this process.

Ali Salehian, Senior Researcher of Iranian Governance and Policy Think Tank, said that finding the most optimal development path is one of the most critical issues of national governance. To make the case even harder, there is no solid and constant model of development. This model should evolve and be upgraded as national, regional, and global features evolve.

Abdalla Mohammad Al-Hammadi, head of Advisory Sector at Trends Research and Advisory, said that each country faces the mission of modernization and should ensure that modernization is in line with the national conditions of each country. The BRICS countries can learn from each other's successful experience to promote their own development. It is important to promote global sustainable development with innovative concepts, and strengthen mutual understanding and cultural exchanges in science and technology, education, culture, and governance to deepen cooperation. Each civilization is a source of vitality, highlighting the development path between the tradition and innovation.

Power of BRICS in global governance

The BRICS mechanism contributes to building a fairer and more equitable global governance system. The Global Survey: BRICS Cooperation in the New Era of Global Development 2024, which conducted in 30 countries by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, showed the average recognition of the role of the BRICS mechanism in improving the global governance system reached 94.6 percent among the participants. Such sentiment is stronger among developing countries, with recognition in the BRICS countries and other developing nations exceeding 95 percent. The respondents believed that the BRICS mechanism would enhance the representation of developing countries in global governance and enhance the reform and improvement of the global governance system.

Magdy Amer, Vice President of Egypt-China Friendship Association Ambassador, said that BRICS Plus has huge potential, coupled with the New Development Bank, the China's Belt and Road Initiative and the AIIB can generate a modernization model for the emerging nations, independent from and not controlled by the Western-dictated model. Several BRICS countries have had a successful model of independent path of reform and modernization. China's model, India's model and Brazil's model for modernization offer new choices for achieving reform and modernization. Now, emerging markets are ready to play a larger role in the world order, one that better reflects their interests.

Marcio Pochmann, President of Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, said that the reconfiguration of the world into two large blocs of countries and regions presents an unprecedented opportunity for the BRICS nations to take a leadership role in global governance. However, to achieve this, an alternative to the modernity project imposed by the Global North over the last five centuries must be pursued, one that builds development adaptable to national sovereignty. This requires respect and mutual learning with different civilizations, centered on emancipatory cooperation from underdevelopment, and the creation of a new, sustainable level of modernity for humanity in the long term on planet Earth.

Reform and innovation are the driving force

The world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024 details the challenges the world is facing in making substantial strides towards achieving the SDGs. More efforts are needed from BRICS countries to boost their cooperation on technological innovation, so that more benefits of development will reach everyone in a more equitable way. 

Sameep Shastri, Vice Chairman of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry and President of the Confederation of Young Leaders, said as we look to the future, our focus must be collaboration and cohesiveness. Now BRICS has ten individual countries, the world should recognize the collective force. The road ahead for BRICS is full of opportunities, we must continue to push forward the reform and invest in innovation, technology sharing and skill sharing. By doing so, we are not only insuring the prosperity of our nation, but contributing to the world.

Krish Chetty, Senior Research Manager of the Human Sciences Research Council South Africa said AI is perhaps our best tool to drive knowledge exchange. The Chinese national system of innovation offers many best practices that can guide the BRICS now to share data, now to ensure exchanges between academia, innovators in business. We must learn from China's experience.

Melnikov also noted that the path of modernization of the BRICS countries is built on the principles of preservation of unique national traditions and features, innovations and reforms, development of advanced areas and strengthening of dialogue. BRICS countries should enhance communication around innovation-driven development, jointly exploring ways to boost international competitiveness through technological and institutional innovation, and improve the quality of life for citizens to guide the stable and long-term development of the Global South, the other experts added. 

Exchanges and mutual learning make civilizations richer

Civilizations become richer and more colorful through exchanges and mutual learning. BRICS countries would become good examples of exchange and mutual learning between civilizations, and would contribute to the progress of human civilization and world peace and prosperity.

Mohammed Saqib, Founder and Secretary-General of India China Economic and Cultural Council, said that exchanges of best practices and lessons learned are invaluable in governance and policy-making process. Each BRICS country has grappled with unique development challenges and has devised innovative solutions. By sharing these experiences, whether in poverty alleviation, sustainable urbanization, digital governance, or public health, BRICS members can accelerate their progress and avoid pitfalls. Saqib emphasized that exchanges and mutual learning across their rich and varied civilization is a key factor enabling deeper cooperation and integration among BRICS nations. This cultural and intellectual cross-pollination serves as a crucial mechanism for fostering understanding, building trust, and identifying shared interests and values that can form the foundation for long-term strategic alignment. By harnessing the collective wisdom of their diverse civilizations through exchanges and mutual learning, BRICS countries can forge a unique model of international cooperation. This model, rooted in cultural understanding and shared values, has the potential to contribute significantly to a more balanced and harmonious global order.

Sudheendra Kulkarni, Founder of the Forum for a New South Asia, pointed out that the expansion of BRICS has created a favorable atmosphere to push forward a new non-western paradigm of global development, which is equitable, environmental-sustainable and fulfills the social and economic needs of the majority of the world population.

Kirtan Bhana, Director of the Diplomatic Society of South Africa, said that the wealth of indigenous knowledge systems across the BRICS spectrum, is a game changer in the multitude of areas and sectors. It's the young minds with fresh perspectives that should be given unfettered space and opportunity to express themselves and influence a new narrative, and line the pathway to an inclusive globalized world with a collective shared future.

"A single flower does not make spring, while one hundred flowers in full blossom bring spring to the garden." With more and more like-minded countries from Global South join the BRICS family and work together as a stabilizing force for peace, BRICS countries need to champion the spirit of inclusiveness, advocate peaceful coexistence and harmony between civilizations, and promote respect of all countries in independently choosing their modernization paths, thus building a community with a shared future for mankind.

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