On 8 April 2025, as part of the AIM Congress in Abu Dhabi, the session “IMBRICS Forum: Development Prospects and New Modes of Cooperation” was held, organised by the Directorate of the Organising Committee of the International Municipal BRICS Forum. The event brought together experts from various countries to discuss pressing issues of urban sustainable development, investment opportunities, and strengthening international partnerships.
The discussion was moderated by Sergey Cheremin, Minister of the Government of Moscow and Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow. In his opening remarks, he emphasised the importance of cooperation between the capitals and regions of the BRICS alliance for exchanging ideas, experiences, and advanced technologies, as well as for strengthening the positions of member countries on the international stage. Dawood Al Shezawi, President of the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) and member of the IMBRICS Forum Organising Committee, also highlighted the relevance of the Forum as a platform for developing inter-municipal relations and confirmed readiness for cooperation in organising the IMBRICS Forum in October 2025.
Speakers at the session shared their perspectives on international collaboration:
Alexey Shaposhnikov, Chairman of the Moscow City Duma, spoke about the key role of inter-parliamentary cooperation in strengthening economic ties between BRICS cities. He emphasised that the Moscow City Duma initiated the creation of the Parliamentary Movement of BRICS Capitals, aimed at developing legislative solutions to improve the investment climate. “Moscow’s experience in creating transparent conditions for business can serve as a foundation for dialogue among BRICS cities,” noted Alexey Shaposhnikov. In October 2025, as part of the International Municipal BRICS Forum in St. Petersburg, a panel discussion on parliamentary diplomacy and investment protection is planned.
Vladimir Platonov, President of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry, focused on the development of digital technologies and youth entrepreneurship. He presented successful case studies from Moscow in the field of “smart cities,” including video surveillance systems, e-government services, and digital solutions for businesses. Platonov paid special attention to the “Start Your Business with Moscow” project, which helps foreign and Russian students develop entrepreneurial skills. In 2025, 134 students from 37 countries participated in the programme, and the best projects received internships at companies affiliated with the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
George Al-Zraikat, President of the Bahrain-Eurasian Friendship and Business Association, highlighted the role of cities as drivers of international cooperation, particularly in sustainable development and digital technologies. He cited successful projects from the Middle East, such as the “smart cities” of Masdar (UAE) and Neom (Saudi Arabia), underscoring their potential for BRICS countries. Al-Zraikat also emphasised Bahrain’s experience, where 90% of the population lives in cities, and the activities of his Association, which strengthens business and cultural ties between Eurasia and the Middle East. “Cities should become platforms for peace and progress,” he concluded.
Project presentations at the IMBRICS session
The session “IMBRICS Forum: Development Prospects and New Modes of Cooperation” concluded with presentations of promising technological projects showcasing the potential of international collaboration in digital solutions and artificial intelligence.
Reputation House: Reputation management in the digital age
Dmitry Sidorin, founder of Reputation House, presented global expertise in online reputation management. The company, operating in 25 countries, has already helped more than 1,200 organisations protect and enhance their image.
Key focus areas:
Protection against negative information attacks;
Maintenance of a positive image;
Development of reputation through digital strategies.
Celsus: Artificial intelligence in medicine
Nikita Nikolaev, CMO and co-founder of Celsus, spoke about a revolutionary solution for radiology. Their artificial intelligence-based platform automatically analyses X-rays and CT scans, identifying pathologies and reducing the workload for doctors.
Advantages of the technology:
Reduction in processing time for studies by 50%;
Improvement in diagnostic accuracy by 20%;
Integration with existing medical systems.
These projects vividly demonstrated how technology can become a driver of cooperation among BRICS countries, offering solutions for business, medicine, and digital transformation.