Where is BRICS+ Heading: Expansion, Forum Network, and Practical Business Opportunities in 2025?

The week brings two key signals: The BRICS International Municipal Forum is launching in St. Petersburg with 5,000 participants from over 50 countries, setting a practical agenda from "smart cities" to green transformation, as the organizers reported, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim publicly confirmed the country's readiness to join the association "tomorrow," as reported by Gazeta.Ru.

What Signals About Expansion Have Malaysia and Other Contenders Sent?

The main one is Malaysia: Anwar Ibrahim announced readiness to join "immediately"; Venezuela has also indicated its intention to join, and Thailand previously accepted an invitation, as noted by Gazeta.Ru.

"Yes, of course, we still want to join [BRICS]. If we are accepted tomorrow, we will join tomorrow."

Amid discussions of tariffs by the US, Russia's Foreign Ministry has refuted any intentions of current members to leave the association, emphasizing the voluntary nature of participation, as reported by "Vechernyaya Kazan" with reference to a statement from the Russian MFA.

How is the BRICS-2025 Forum Network Turning into a Cooperation Infrastructure?

It is being built from municipal solutions to investment and scientific-technological tracks: St. Petersburg (Oct. 29–31) focuses on urban management and sustainable development; Kazan (Oct. 31) on investments and deals; "Sirius" (Nov. 26–28) on science and human capital.

St. Petersburg is the anchor event: the agenda includes 15 practice-oriented areas—digitalization of management, "smart cities," green transformation, municipal finance and investment, in synergy with the "Russian Industrialist" forum-exhibition, as specified by Gazeta.SPb.

The key for business lies in effective formats and direct contact between cities, investors, and technology companies.

In Kazan, as part of the BRICS International Investment Forum's outreach session, a roundtable will be held focusing on strategic projects and direct interaction with investors from the UAE and BRICS+ countries, as reported by "360°."

The regional agenda is expanding: delegations from Central Asia are coming to the St. Petersburg forum to study Russian and Chinese case studies on digitalization, waste management, and water supply and energy systems; the New Development Bank of BRICS is positioned as a source of financing for transport and energy projects, as reported by 365info.kz.

What Systemic Consequences Could This Wave Have—for Finance, Science, and "Soft Power"?

First—financial autonomy: the forums directly discuss reducing dependence on Western currencies and settlements in BRICS national and digital currencies, as noted by 365info.kz.

Second—institutionalization of scientific cooperation: the 5th Congress of Young Scientists ("Sirius," Nov. 26–28) includes a BRICS forum on socio-humanitarian research and a new "Feedback" format for dialogue between scientists, authorities, and business, as per the InScience program architecture.

Third—strengthening the cultural component: the awarding of the International BRICS Order to Iraqi poet Ali Shallal illustrates the growing "soft power" and cultural connectivity of the BRICS space, as reported by "Big Asia."

Where Are the Nearest Tactical Opportunities for BRICS+ Companies?

In short: infrastructure and "green" energy, urban technologies and waste-to-energy, applied science and R&D cooperation, deal-making platforms with Middle Eastern capital, as well as municipal procurement and interregional projects.

• Infrastructure and "green" energy: a financing window through the New Development Bank of BRICS and urban projects in Central Asia—transport, energy systems, water hubs, as described by 365info.kz.
• "Smart cities" and clean technologies: the St. Petersburg forum highlights practices in digital management, sustainable urban environments, and municipal finance—this is a shortlist of priorities for solution exporters, as indicated by the program.
• Deals and capital: the Kazan platform aims for direct contact with UAE investors and BRICS+ partners—an opportunity to quickly test interest in projects and co-investment, as reported by "360°."
• R&D and talent: scientific tracks (energy, AI, biotech) offer a channel for university-business-region partnerships; the demand for applied solutions is confirmed in the Congress of Young Scientists' agenda.
• Regional "gateways": the participation of the Stavropol Duma Speaker in the St. Petersburg forum and Tatarstan's focus on international ties after the BRICS summit in Kazan open contact points for interregional projects, as reported by "Stavropolskaya Pravda" and emphasized by Rustam Minnikhanov.
• Cultural and humanitarian diplomacy: participation in network initiatives—from awards to festivals—supports the brand and access to audiences in the Global South.

In summary: Malaysia's application and a series of multi-level forums signify BRICS+'s transition from political declarations to project infrastructure. For companies, this is a signal to act—enter through municipal projects, seek co-financing from the NDB, test deals at regional sessions, and establish settlements in national currencies with key partners.