A Federation Council delegation took part in the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Brasilia.
Deputy Federation Council Speaker Inna Svyatenko made a statement at a working session titled BRICS Interparliamentary Alliance for Global Health.
She pointed out that healthcare cooperation between BRICS countries and at the global level was developing fruitfully in a broad range of spheres, such as the maintenance of public health, the development of telemedicine and digital technologies, and the creation of new medicines.
“Over the past few years, the BRICS countries have strengthened their coordination in medical research for preventing epidemics, which includes the development of medicines. We hope that the BRICS Vaccine R&D Centre established in 2022 will increase the accessibility of vaccines in BRICS countries and also speed up vaccination in developing countries,” Inna Svyatenko said.
She reminded the audience about Russia’s initiative for involving BRICS partners in the development of vaccines for the Marburg virus and Lassa and West Nile fevers. “Russia has extensive developments in this field, and we are ready to share our knowledge and technologies. Russia is also actively contributing to the work of the BRICS TB Research Network,” Inna Svyatenko stated. The Deputy Speaker pointed out that an early warning system for epidemic risks was being created within BRICS at Russia’s initiative. She added that the BRICS Working Group on Nuclear Medicine was established on Russia’s initiative in 2023 to create and produce innovative medicinal radiocompounds, and that BRICS also publishes a Health Journal and has an expert platform known as Health Coalition.
“Health protection is a traditional priority in Russia. The goals of the Long and Active Life, New Technologies for Health Preservation and Family national projects provide for modernising the primary care system, developing the network of healthcare, research and educational establishments, improving the training of health professionals and the provision of emergency care, as well as the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, oncology, diabetes and Hepatitis C. There are plans to create new medical products and medicines, and to develop digital platforms. We are ready to build up cooperation with BRICS countries in all spheres,” the Senator noted.
Inna Svyatenko held a meeting with President of the Federal Senate of the National Congress of Brazil Davi Alcolumbre on the sidelines of the Forum in Brazil. The meeting was attended by Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Grigory Karasin.
“We wholeheartedly support the further development and strengthening of ties between the legislative bodies of Russia and Brazil. We have recently marked the 195th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries, which have always been based on mutual respect and a balance of interests. We regard Brazil as an ally in building a more just and democratic multipolar world based on the principles multilateralism, respect for sovereignty, and prevention of unilateral coercive measures which contradict international law,” Inna Svyatenko said at the meeting.
She recalled that the Federation Council has a group for cooperation with the Federal Senate of the National Congress of Brazil and emphasised the importance of promoting Russian-Brazilian interregional ties.
Inna Svyatenko also held a number of bilateral meetings. She discussed economic and investment issues, as well as scientific, technical, cultural and humanitarian cooperation with Chair of the Brazilian Senate Foreign Relations Committee Felix Ajpi Ajpi. Her meeting with Deputy Chair of the Senate Committee on Social Affairs Eudocia Caldas focused on the development of international cooperation.