The BRICS climate agenda through the prism of international polar cooperation: challenges and prospects (HSE University)

In recent years, the interests of the BRICS countries have been increasingly focused on the North and South Poles. The growing attention of the BRICS states to the Arctic is due to the leading role of Russia in the region: the country is the only Arctic state in BRICS and a member of the Arctic Council (AC). India and China gradually became involved in the region. As a result, in 2013 both states were granted observer status in the AC and soon adopted national strategies that enshrine their priority policies in the Arctic. Brazil's and South Africa's polar policies are rather focused on the South Pole, but a significant expertise in Antarctic research determines the possibilities for Brazil and South Africa's to get involved in the Arctic region as well. The expansion of BRICS in January 2024 demonstrates interest in the Arctic region among new member states, especially Iran and the UAE. The Arctic is a unique natural ecosystem that is subject to climate change more than any other region on the planet. For this reason, the study of climatic processes occurring in the region is one of the main vectors not only Russia's but all BRICS countries.

Moderator:

• Irina A. Strelnikova, PhD, Think Arctic-Think Global Project coordinator, Programme Co-head «International Relations: European and Asian Studies» National Research University Higher School of Economics, Head for Scientific and educational group "BRICS+ as a platform for cooperation in the Arctic: problems, prospects and development scenarios", Moscow, Russia

Co-moderator:

• Maria L. Lagutina, PhD, professor St Petersburg University, Moscow, Russia

Speakers:

• Andrey G. Kostianoy, professor, Dr., Chief Scientist, P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
• Olga N. Solomina, professor, Dr., Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor Faculty of Geography and Geoinformation Technology HSE University, Director of Institute of Geography Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
• Anurag Bisen, Senior Researcher at the Vivekananda International Foundation

Online participants:

• Guo Peiqing, Professor, Ocean University of China, Founder Polar and Ocean Portal
• Gao Tianming, Professor, Director and Chief Expert Arctic Blue Economy Research Center, Harbin Engineering University, China
• Heitor Evangelista, Professor of Nuclear Biosciences at the Rio de Janeiro State University of Brazil, Brazilian Antarctic Program
• Ana Flavia Barros, Director of the Brasilia Research Center at Earth System Governance