On 28 October 2015, the Foreign Ministry’s Diplomatic Academy hosted a Forum of Young Diplomats from the BRICS countries. It was attended by employees of foreign ministries and embassies of Brazil, India, China and South Africa and representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry under 35 years of age.
The participants were greeted by the Academy’s Rector Evgeny Bazhanov, Director of the Foreign Ministry’s Foreign Policy Planning Department Alexander Tokovinin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federative Republic of Brazil Antonio Jose Vallim Guerreiro, Minister Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of South Africa Henry William Short, Advisor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China Gou Yunghai and representative of the Embassy of the Republic of India Kishan Dan Divall.
The speakers noted the successful cooperation of the BRICS countries in the economy, trade, finance, science and technology and emphasised the importance of establishing direct contacts between the younger generations in their countries.
Mr Bazhanov announced the results of the contest for the best analytical essay on BRICS development paths. The expert commission awarded first place to a Chinese participant, second place went to young Russian diplomat Konstantin Kolpakov and third place to Indian representative Asim Vohra. All entrants received certificates and memorable gifts.