On December 6, China, the BRICS rotating presidency in 2022, successfully held the 2nd Meeting of Deans and Heads of the BRICS Diplomatic Training Institutions both online and offline. The meeting was attended by representatives of diplomatic training institutions of the ministries of foreign affairs of BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). Professor Wang Fan, President of China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU) and Chancellor of China Diplomatic Academy (CDA), Xu Zhongsheng, Vice Chancellor of CDA, and Ma Xinyu, Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of CFAU, and others attended the meeting.

Wang Fan said in his welcome speech that as the pandemic continues to plague the world and the global economy is facing uncertainties, all countries should develop global partnerships in the post-pandemic era. Wang Fan introduced the efforts made by China as the BRICS rotating presidency in 2022 and the attempts of the BRICS countries in strengthening solidarity, facilitating cooperation, jointly fighting against the pandemic and promoting global economic recovery, all of which have yielded tangible results. The success of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2022 is of great significance. The Chinese path to modernization serves as an example for other developing countries in their pursuit of high-quality development and brings confidence and certainty to the international community. China’s proposal of the “BRICS Plus” is a reflection of the openness and inclusiveness of the BRICS partnership. Following the principles of extensive consultation and joint efforts, BRICS countries should be committed to advancing global governance to jointly address global challenges.

Wang Fan put forward three points about the practical cooperation among BRICS countries. First, strengthen information exchange. The BRICS diplomatic training institutions should expand communication. In addition to the annual Meeting of Deans and Heads of the BRICS Diplomatic Training Institutions, meetings of working mechanism can be held to maintain exchange and communication on diplomatic training. Second, the BRICS diplomatic training institutions should jointly launch training programs. We welcome BRICS countries’ opinions on launching substantive programs of exchange and cooperation. Third, a series of online BRICS events, such as the young diplomats forum, should be regularly held to enhance friendship among BRICS countries, strengthen mutual learning among civilizations and cultures, and promote mutual understanding.

Members of BRICS countries conducted in-depth discussions and exchanges on promoting practical cooperation, information sharing, training of young diplomats and other issues.

Xu Zhongsheng, Vice Chancellor of CDA, presided over the discussion session. The preliminary intentions on the cooperation reached among BRICS countries were as follows. First, improve and establish the liaison mechanism for deans and heads of the BRICS diplomatic training institutions by arranging national coordinators for follow-up activities. Second, regularly report the training programs launched by each BRICS country through “information bulletin boards” and other ways and provide courses and resources that are available for sharing. Third, explore cooperative projects of multilateral diplomatic training and focus on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and on climate change and other areas. Fourth, strive to hold the Young Diplomats Forum within 2022 and establish a work schedule through negotiation. Xu Zhongsheng expressed his gratitude to representatives of BRICS countries for their active participation, saying that China would make the list of proposals at the requests of the BRICS representatives and maintain communication with all sides. He expected that more achievements could be made in the cooperation among BRICS diplomatic training institutions during South Africa’s rotating presidency in 2023.

All sides expressed their gratitude to China for its significant contributions to leading BRICS cooperation as the rotating presidency in 2022 and their support for South Africa in carrying out its work as the rotating presidency in 2023.