AAIL was honoured to host Ms Elena Borisenko, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Gazprombank (JSC), Russia, for an engaging and thought-provoking hybrid seminar, exploring the fundamental issues shaping the BRICS countries’ climate agenda and their critical role in addressing the global climate crisis, one of the most pressing challenges of our time.

Ms Borisenko highlighted the unique strengths, resources, and national circumstances of each BRICS country, emphasising their potential to act as problem-solvers and innovators in global climate action. She stressed the importance of moving beyond competition or populism, advocating for collaborative approaches that align soft power with concrete actions. Drawing on the legal frameworks of the Paris Agreement, she underscored how BRICS countries can lead the way in crafting sustainable, long-term solutions that not only address environmental challenges but also promote a just transition for emerging economies.

This seminar concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where audience engaged with Ms Borisenko on several critical topics. Discussions revolved around the potential advantages and drawbacks of expanding BRICS membership in the context of climate action, as well as practical methods for building infrastructure to support environmental protection and clean energy. The dialogue shed light on ways to align economic growth with environmental sustainability, offering actionable insights into how BRICS nations can strengthen their leadership in climate action.

This event provided a useful platform for understanding how BRICS countries can effectively bridge soft power with execution to tackle the global climate crisis, positioning themselves as key leaders in driving meaningful and lasting change.