BRICS+ Launches Media Centre in Moscow to Enhance Humanitarian Cooperation

MOSCOW: The BRICS+ Information and Cultural Media Centre was inaugurated on October 15th in Moscow, marking a significant step in fostering humanitarian cooperation among BRICS+ countries. The Centre, organized by the All-Russian State Library for Foreign Literature named after M. I. Rudomino and the TV BRICS International Media Network, aims to promote culture, science, and education through verified and unbiased media content. According to Emirates News Agency, the opening ceremony featured a plenary session of the International Conference titled "Humanitarian Foundations of the BRICS+ Dialogue: The Role of Media in Strengthening Cooperation in the Fields of Culture, Science, and Education." Pavel Kuzmin, Director-General of the Library for Foreign Literature, emphasized the Centre's commitment to providing reliable information that encourages independent thinking. "We will provide our readers with reliable, verified literature that will allow them to make their own decisions. We won't draw conclusions or provide hints for readers, but we will help them to develop their own positions," Kuzmin stated. Janna Tolstikova, CEO of TV BRICS International Media Network, expressed enthusiasm about the Centre's potential as a global journalism hub. Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, also highlighted the Centre's role in enhancing humanitarian ties between BRICS+ countries. "I believe this platform will become a vibrant hub for disseminating information. As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we will actively support its work, cooperate, offer our agenda, and, of course, respond to the agenda generated here," Zakharova said. The event attracted various stakeholders, including government representatives, diplomats, media professionals, and public organizations from countries such as Brazil, Egypt, India, Iran, China, Cuba, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Ethiopia, and South Africa. A panel discussion titled "Intercultural Dialogue in the 21st Century: New Ways to Promote a Unifying Agenda Through Media" was also held, moderated by Ksenia Komissarova, Editor-in-Chief of TV BRICS. Speakers included Admasu Damtew, CEO of Fana Broadcasting Corporate, who discussed the importance of media in promoting national culture and heritage. German Ferras Alvarez, Head Correspondent of Latin American News Agency Prensa Latina in Moscow, talked about the potential for cooperation with Global South countries in content production, while Ali Cura from Anadolu Agency underscored the significance of cultural diplomacy. The BRICS+ Media Centre, located at the Library for Foreign Literature, will permanently host various activities such as press conferences, seminars, roundtables, teleconferences, film screenings, and presentations of informational, cultural, educational, and scientific projects.