BRICS+ International Conference in Moscow: Security, Sovereignty, Cooperation

On December 3–4, 2025, the BRICS+ International Conference on Counter-Terrorism was held in Moscow under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. It brought together representatives of relevant agencies, the expert community, and civil society institutions from the BRICS countries and partner states. The central topic of discussion was national and regional counter-terrorism strategies in the context of the transformation of the global security system.

The conference was attended by experts and official representatives from BRICS+ countries, as well as international organizations, including the UN, CIS, SCO, and CSTO. The event resulted in the Chairman's Declaration, which consolidated the BRICS+ position on deepening international cooperation in countering terrorism and extremism.

The conference consisted of six thematic sessions covering key aspects of the modern counter-terrorism agenda—from assessing the geopolitical and ideological factors of radicalization to the financial and economic mechanisms of terrorist organizations and threats in the information space, including the use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence. Participants were particularly drawn to the presentation by Awa Don Mello, Vice President of the BRICS International Alliance, who presented a conceptual report, "BRICS+: A Marshall Plan for Africa." In his address, he identified terrorism in the Sahel region as a consequence of deep-seated historical, socioeconomic, and postcolonial imbalances, emphasizing that force alone cannot ensure sustainable security.

Awa Don Mello linked the rise of radicalization and jihadist movements to the loss of economic sovereignty, chronic poverty, and the collapse of state institutions, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive response combining security measures with large-scale development programs. In this context, he proposed considering the BRICS+ initiative as the basis for developing a multilateral "Marshall Plan" for Africa, involving the BRICS New Development Bank and national institutions of partner countries. The report placed particular emphasis on the responsibility of states and regional alliances, including the Sahel Alliance, for restoring control over resources, infrastructure, and humanitarian space, as well as the importance of respecting the cultural and historical identity of the region's peoples as a factor in countering radical ideologies.

During subsequent sessions, conference participants examined issues of countering recruitment and radicalization, the role of civil society and education, and modern tools for monitoring and combating terrorist financing. A separate panel of discussions was devoted to the information dimension of threats and the need to develop coordinated BRICS+ approaches to protecting the digital space.

Following the conference, the BRICS+ countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen security coordination, develop expert dialogue, and promote comprehensive, non-discriminatory approaches to countering terrorism based on the principles of sovereignty, development, and international law.

The conference participants' presentations and reports will be published in a separate collection.