The Information and Decision Support Center of the Egyptian Cabinet has published a new edition of its monthly newsletter, National Studies Database. The publication serves as a comprehensive collection of studies and research on topics related to economic and social development in Egypt. It includes work from various institutions, research centers, and regional or international organizations. The newsletter aims to provide regular updates to stakeholders on relevant studies and research, covering critical issues that impact decision-makers in Egypt.
This issue is titled Bibliographic List on BRICS and Summary of Study Recommendations. The newsletter contains 16 reports in Arabic on BRICS, available in the National Studies Database up to 2024, and provides a summary of key recommendations from research conducted by various academic and research institutions, including Al-Azhar University’s Faculty of Sharia and Law (Damanhur Branch), the Egyptian Society for Political Economy, Statistics, and Legislation, and others.
International Economic Blocs and BRICS
The newsletter emphasizes that international economic blocs are essential components of the contemporary global economic system. These include purely economic organizations like Mercosur and multi-faceted entities like the European Union. Joining international blocs is increasingly seen as a key factor in enhancing a country’s political, economic, and military power. The BRICS group, in particular, is highlighted as one of the most influential and rapidly growing economic and political entities worldwide, significantly shifting the global economic balance.
The rise of BRICS and the rapid economic growth of its members is driving a gradual transformation in the global balance of power. This shift emphasizes the need for a new global economic system and a move towards a multipolar world that counters the absolute power of a few industrial nations.
Key Recommendations from Studies on BRICS
The publication includes several recommendations derived from the studies, which cover topics related to energy transformation, sustainable financing, and international cooperation. Some of the key suggestions are:
- Political Dialogue and Partnerships: Encouraging political dialogue between BRICS leaders, the European Union (EU), and African countries to build genuine industrial partnerships and support energy transformation. This could involve establishing expert working groups focused on clean and renewable energy policies.
- Energy Transition Dialogue: Hosting an annual ministerial meeting in Egypt involving BRICS countries and the EU to discuss energy transition in the global and African contexts.
- Sustainable Investment and Energy Infrastructure: Promoting sustainable investments and energy infrastructure development, particularly enhancing connections between Egypt, BRICS countries, and the EU. This includes the development of renewable energy markets and fostering competitive energy markets free of export restrictions or price distortions.
- Energy Financing Partnerships: Strengthening partnerships between Egyptian financial institutions and European, Chinese, and Gulf-based banks to balance investments and support energy transition projects in Egypt and the broader BRICS-EU network.
- Research Collaboration on Energy Transition: Establishing a specialized research institute to exchange expertise between Egypt, BRICS countries, and the EU, exploring opportunities for trilateral cooperation, particularly in the field of energy transition policies.
- Financial and Technical Support for Energy Projects: Encouraging the EU and BRICS countries, particularly China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, to provide financial and technical support for energy projects such as the Egypt-Greece-Cyprus electrical interconnection and the Egypt-Sudan grid link.
- Technology Neutrality and Emissions Standards: Launching initiatives to promote technological neutrality among BRICS countries and advocating for common, fair, transparent standards to assess emissions and classify sustainable projects.
These collaborative efforts aim to advance Egypt’s role in global energy transformation, sustainable financing, and international partnerships.
