HSE Experts Share BRICS Experience with Iranian Colleagues
From February 24 to 26, 2025, HSE University held its first training seminar in Iran, titled ‘BRICS: Structure and Cooperation Platforms Workshop.’ The seminar focused on cooperation between BRICS countries and the key mechanisms of the organisation. It was organised at the request of the Iranian side by the BRICS Expert Council–Russia, based at HSE, and the Centre for Progress and Development of Iran Presidency (CPDI), in partnership with Iran's largest technology park, Pardis Technology Park, as well as Shahid Beheshti University, the Iran National Innovation Fund (INIF), and the Iranian International Innovation District (IIID).
The Tehran seminar marked the beginning of a series of training events planned for 2025 as part of the BRICS Think Tanks Council’s activities. During the visit, experts shared their experiences with Iranian colleagues from private companies, ministries, and scientific organisations shaping Iran's technological agenda. Over two days, more than 100 participants attended the seminar, which covered key BRICS achievements in trade, economics, finance, science, technology, and innovation.
On 17 January, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed the historic Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in Moscow. The document includes provisions for cooperation in trade, economy, transport, peaceful nuclear energy, healthcare, education, space exploration, cultural exchanges, and more. The bilateral treaty underscores the importance of strengthening Russian–Iranian relations. At a press conference following the signing of the agreement, Vladimir Putin emphasised the scale and mutual benefits of the partnership and expressed readiness to take relations to a new level.
The workshop on BRICS cooperation began on February 24 at Pardis Technology Park, often referred to as Iran’s Silicon Valley. At the opening, Sajjad Ahadzadeh, President of the Centre for Progress and Development of Iran Presidency (CPDI), highlighted Russia's extensive and successful experience in BRICS projects, describing it as crucial and of great interest. ‘I hope this event, featuring leading Russian experts, will serve as a catalyst for Iran's deeper integration into BRICS and foster the exchange of innovative ideas between our countries,’ he said.
Igor Pilipenko, Head of the Working Group ‘Financial and Investment Cooperation’ at the BRICS Expert Council–Russia, Associate Professor of the Vysokovsky Graduate School of Urbanism, Director of the Institute for Competitiveness and Integration, delivered two lectures. He discussed the global development banking system and the principles of its operation, as well as changes related to the establishment of multilateral development banks over the past 20 years, where BRICS countries are the main shareholders. He also covered the mechanisms for financing projects and the operational activities of the New Development Bank (NDB). ‘In 2024, during Russia’s BRICS chairship, a series of proposals were formulated within the financial track, following the instructions of the heads of state, to deepen cooperation for the gradual establishment of an independent financial system. Under Brazil’s 2025 chairship, the key areas of focus include expanding the use of local currencies in international transactions, institutional development, and enhancing financial market interoperability. This highlights the continuity in the cooperation priorities of BRICS member states in the financial sector,’ the expert noted.
On the final day, February 26, Victoria Panova, HSE Vice Rector and Head of the BRICS Expert Council–Russia, gave a lecture on the history of BRICS cooperation and the multipolar world. ‘All decisions within the association—across any area of cooperation—are made based on consensus. This approach reflects respect for the positions and concerns of each participating party, ensuring equality among all members. This way, national representatives can be confident that the decisions they make truly align with the interests of all involved and that practical work on their implementation will be carried out,’ said Victoria Panova, highlighting one of BRICS' fundamental principles.
The vice rector spoke about the history and existing mechanisms of interaction within the BRICS association, highlighting key initiatives and addressing the most important questions that Iranian colleagues might have following the country’s recent accession to BRICS. She also explained why such diverse countries, differing in many aspects, chose to unite in this format despite the absence of strict legal obligations. ‘All BRICS member states view their membership in the association as a key foreign policy priority and see it as an opportunity to more effectively advance their national interests, enhance their prestige, and strengthen their global influence. For them, BRICS is also a tool for reshaping the international order and global governance in the interests of developing countries, moving towards multipolarity without Western hegemony,’ emphasised the head of the BRICS Expert Council–Russia in her speech.
At the end of the event, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the BRICS Expert Council–Russia and the Centre for Progress and Development of Iran Presidency. During the meeting, the parties discussed promising areas of cooperation, including energy and cybersecurity.
During the visit to Iran, a meeting was also held with representatives of Shahid Beheshti University. HSE Vice Rector Victoria Panova met with the university's President, Mr Seyed Mahmoud Reza Aghamiri, and the Vice President for International Relations, Mr Behrooz Abtahi. The parties discussed comprehensive cooperation, including the development of international student and academic exchanges and the organisation of joint scientific and educational events. As a result of the meeting, an agreement was signed between HSE and Shahid Beheshti University.
Victoria Panova also met with the Vice President for International Relations of the University of Tehran, Ms Elham Amin Zadeh, and the Director General of the Office for the International Students and Staff, Mr Mahmoud Reza Delavar. The parties discussed plans for cooperation in the near future, including joint summer schools and educational programmes, issues of international mobility, collaboration within the Consortium of BRICS Law Schools, and more.
Moscow and Tehran reaffirm their commitment to increasing effective interaction in the humanitarian sphere and on multilateral platforms, including BRICS, of which the Islamic Republic of Iran has been a full member since 2024. The BRICS-themed workshop was of significant importance and practical benefit to the Iranian side, which, after the event, sent a letter of thanks to Victoria Panova, HSE Vice Rector and Chair of the BRICS Expert Council–Russia.
The BRICS Expert Council–Russia, based at HSE University, was initiated by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Russian Ministry of Finance and established by order of the Government of the Russian Federation. The council focuses on expert-analytical and scientific activities on the political, socio-economic, and humanitarian cooperation issues within BRICS.
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