Attendees listen at the BRICS Politial Parties, Think-tanks and Civil Society Organizations Forum in Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province, June 12, 2017. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)
Representatives of BRICS political parties, think tanks and non-governmental organizations gathered in Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province, agreed Monday to increase BRICS cooperation and enhance dialogues with other developing countries.
During a two-day forum, which concluded Monday in Fuzhou, discussions centered on ways to cement cooperation and share governance experience, and suggestions were offered for the Ninth BRICS Summit, which is scheduled for September in Xiamen, Fujian Province.
Addressing the closing ceremony, Song Tao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said BRICS political parties, think tanks and non-governmental organizations should facilitate cooperation that will elevate BRICS members to their role as practitioners of new globalization, advocators for new global governance and forerunners of new South-South cooperation.
"BRICS should promote the Belt and Road Initiative, to inject new vitality to BRICS cooperation," he said.
China hopes to work with other BRICS countries and developing countries to improve exchanges among BRICS political parties, think tanks and non-governmental organizations, Song said.
In the Fuzhou Initiative, released at the closing ceremony, attendees vowed to intensify policy communication, expand cooperation, and work more with other emerging markets and developing countries.
BRICS should boost political, cultural and security cooperation, have its voice heard on major international and regional issues, improve cyber security cooperation, enhance sharing intelligence and experience in countering terrorism, and jointly work toward combating extremism, separatism, narcotics, piracy and organized crimes, according to the document.
BRICS political parties and think tanks will enhance exchanges with parties of other emerging economies and developing countries, share experience and research outcomes, the initiative document continued.
BRICS NGOs should prioritize cooperation in poverty alleviation, health and environmental protection, promote the implementation of more projects with social and economic benefits, and make full use of new technology to build a network for interactions and cooperation, according to the initiative document.
The forum drew over 400 participants from BRICS and other developing countries.
It aims to build consensus and boost cooperation through in-depth exchanges, to offer proposals and create a sound environment for the Xiamen summit. It was sponsored by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.
