On May 16, HSE University hosted a virtual meeting of the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Working group under the BRICS Civil Forum. During the event, both Russian and international participants discussed recommendations for the leaders of the BRICS nations concerning the group's civil agenda.

The event featured discussions on draft recommendations for the BRICS leaders on culture, sports, and tourism, prepared by the Russian side. Representatives from civil society in India, China, and South Africa joined their Russian counterparts in the discussions. Moderating the event was Andrey Maksimov, Chair of the Civic Chamber Commission on Spatial Development, Urban Environment, and Infrastructure, Director of the Centre for Territorial Changes and Urban Development at the Institute of Applied Economic Research of RANEPA, and Co-Chair of the Working group. The videoconference was attended by several prominent international experts, including Co-Chair of the Working group Professor Mayada Bilal from Helwan University in Egypt; Dr. Mohammed Selim, an expert on tourism development; Professor Snehal Tawre, Director of Snehavardhan Research Institute at Pune University, India; Akil Mohammad, Director and Rahul Sharma, Project Manager at the International Youth Edu-Skills Foundation, India; and Lethiwe Maritz, Director of Projects at the South African BRICS Youth Association.

Throughout the meeting, a particular focus was placed on creating policies and instruments that would foster understanding and fortify amicable relations across the BRICS nations via through meaningful cultural and athletic programmes and initiatives. Experts from around the world showed a strong desire to take part in the BRICS Civil Forum.

Representatives of the Working group plan to incorporate all the proposals discussed during the event into the final version of the document, which will serve as a powerful tool for advancing cooperation in culture, sports, and tourism among the BRICS countries. The importance of respecting the cultural variety among the BRICS nations as well as the values of sovereignty, openness, inclusion, and equality were underlined by the participants.