Moscow – The Committee on International Affairs of the State Duma of the Russian Federation has concluded discussions on new areas of work for the Second BRICS Forum “Traditional Values” set for 15-17 September 2025 in Brazil.
The participants in the conference earlier this week, on Tuesday, 2 September 2025, discussed matters of spiritual guidance, social and business partnership, health, and family support.
Return of Traditional Values to the Agenda
Opening the press conference, State Duma deputy, member of the Committee on International Affairs, and Vice-President of the Forum, Dmitry Kuznetsov, stated: “At the meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State, President of Russia Vladimir Putin noted that traditional values are gradually disappearing from the public discourse and need to be brought back.
“This is precisely the issue that the upcoming BRICS Forum is addressing.”
He stressed that forming a list of moral values unites nations just as effectively as political or economic cooperation.
“This work is as important as the joint activities of our countries on political, economic, or military issues.
“Our task is to find the values that truly unite us.”
Culture and literature, above all, play a central role, helping to define “what we believe in, what we strive for, and which values our peoples and civilisations share. Writers articulate the foundations at the heart of our traditions.”
As Kuznetsov reported, the final list of traditional values includes compassion, solidarity, development, health, and the prosperity of future generations.
“The forum’s program will be built around these principles: nearly all sessions are devoted to finding common ground and discussing how BRICS countries can cooperate for the common good.”
Development of Cultural and Humanitarian Cooperation
President of the World Association “True Values,” CEO of the Forum, Boris Tarasov, reminded that BRICS was originally established as an economic alliance.
However, today, the issues of protecting cultural identity and traditional values have become crucial for preserving national identity and ensuring sustainable development.
The Forum has already become a leading international platform for these topics, and interest in the event continues to grow.
Tarasov noted that one of the central discussions at the Forum will be finding ways to ethically regulate artificial intelligence.
“We have found that none of the BRICS countries’ parliaments has a special committee on artificial intelligence,” stated Tarasov.
“The Forum is becoming the platform where deputies and experts can discuss ways of joint development and regulation of this field on the basis of shared values.”
Support for Families and Protection of Childhood
Psychologist and public figure Vladimir Zuyev emphasized the importance of establishing the International Union of BRICS Fathers, noting that valuing family, conscious fatherhood, and parenting is fundamental to the sustainable development of societies.
A significant event will be the signing of a partnership with the Brazilian organisation “Promundo,” which has extensive experience in supporting families and promoting responsible fatherhood.
Such an exchange of practices will expand opportunities to assist children and parents in various countries.
The Union of Fathers will propose and implement unified international standards for the protection of children’s and parental rights, regardless of a family’s country of residence.
Special attention will be given to child safety and the support of minors facing difficult life circumstances, including those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as systemic rehabilitation and assistance in cooperation with volunteers.
Alliance of Entrepreneurs and New Standards of Business Ethics
Boris Tarasov announced the launch of the BRICS Entrepreneurs’ Alliance, based on the principles of compassion and solidarity.
Today, business faces a crisis of trust and breaches of obligations.
“Our goal is to create a new type of business community, where the main value is not only profit, but also the willingness to serve others and help those truly in need: orphans, refugees, people in distress,” stated Tarasov.
“We believe that entrepreneurs who are ready to give their time, resources, and attention will become reliable and honest partners.”
The initiative has already been supported by dozens of business organizations, predominantly Christian, and associations from the Islamic world are expected to join as well.
Among the objectives is the creation of a registry of reliable entrepreneurs in each country: “I believe that setting up a registry of trustworthy entrepreneurs is our second main goal. Each country will have its own registry.
“We are talking about a community with the highest level of trust. That’s what we are striving for.”
The official launch of the Alliance will take place at the Forum in Brasília.
The organisers invite all interested communities to participate.
“This is an experiment. We hope it turns out to be excellent,” Tarasov said.
Health and Happiness as the Foundation of Sustainable Development
Entrepreneur, vice president of the Association of Online Entrepreneurs, and co-organiser of the Forum Elina Akhmetova stated that the health of the nation is a key traditional value for BRICS countries.
The upcoming Forum in Brazil will be an effective international platform for sharing best practices, especially with countries such as China, which are leaders in preventive medicine.
“The President of the Russian Federation stressed that preventive medicine should become the basis of the healthcare system in the coming years,” Akhmetova stated.
Among the initiatives is the preparation of a declaration on the creation of a permanent international council, an exchange of experience that includes the development of a unified register of clinics, research centers, and experts with proven qualifications, and the joint training of personnel.
Akhmetova also highlighted the importance of supporting not only physical but also mental health.
“For example, in India, there is a Ministry of Happiness,” Akhmetova said.
“We intend to study this issue and perhaps plan to establish a Ministry of Happiness in Russia, which would be responsible for the mental well-being of our nation.”
Conclusion: Unity for the Sake of Traditional Values
Journalist, writer, and playwright Edward Chesnokov summed up the event saying: “There are writers who are fairly right-wing, like myself.
“There are left-wing writers, like Zakhar Prilepin.
“But traditional values are that platform where normal right-wingers, normal left-wingers, and in fact all people who want us not to slide into any sort of liberal chaos but to continue living, working, and existing, can unite.
“So let’s end on this positive note and go forward to organise your Forum in Brazil.”
About the Forum
The Second BRICS Forum “Traditional Values” will take place on September 15–17, 2025, in the capital of Brazil, Brasília, at the National Congress.
The Forum will unite parliamentarians, entrepreneurs, cultural figures, and representatives of public organisations from BRICS countries, as well as partner and candidate states.
The main theme of the year is “Uniting Traditions, Strengthening Nations.”
More information about the Forum’s program and participants can be found at: https://bricsforum.com.br/
