April 28, 2026
In anticipation of the large-scale cultural and diplomatic event, the BRICS Ball "Space Odyssey," which will take place on June 24 in Moscow, the organizers officially announce the event's partners.
In the year of BRICS's 20th anniversary and in the context of the transition of the BRICS presidency from Brazil to India, the African focus occupies a special place in the ball's program. The organizing committee announces a partnership with the African Initiative news agency, which serves as the official media partner and expert on the African continent.
The concept of the "Space Odyssey" ball is intended to highlight the unity of the participating countries, which, like satellites in orbit, are moving toward a common goal of development and cooperation, while preserving the unique trajectory of each culture. Partnership with the African Initiative allows for the seamless integration of the cultural heritage, current agenda, and potential of African states into the fabric of the event.
KEY EVENT: ROUND TABLE
AS PART OF THE BRICS HORIZONS FORUM
As part of the business program of the BRICS Horizons Forum, which will take place on June 23 (the day before the Ball), the African Initiative will organize a specialized roundtable discussion on cooperation and payment logistics with African countries.
Theme of the roundtable: "New Financial Routes: Payment Logistics and Interbank Cooperation between BRICS Countries and the African Continent"
Key topics for discussion:
Developing alternative international payment mechanisms under sanctions pressure;
Integrating national payment systems of BRICS countries with African financial institutions;
Practical cases of using digital currencies and blockchain technologies in trade with African countries;
Legal and infrastructural barriers: ways to overcome them;
The role of financial hubs in payment logistics between Russia and Africa.
The African Initiative is a media platform created to foster an objective image of Russia on the African continent and highlight mutual integration processes. The organization of the Payment Logistics Roundtable confirms the shift from rhetoric to practical cooperation tools. Representatives of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, experts in international payments, heads of African diplomatic missions, and business angels working in Africa will participate in the discussion.
"The BRICS Ball and the preceding BRICS Horizons Forum are more than just social and business events, but a continuous space for building long-term connections," commented the organizing committee. "The roundtable, organized by the African Initiative, addresses one of the most pressing issues facing Russian businesses: how to legally and quickly process payments with African counterparties. This is a rare opportunity to hear answers directly from regulators and practitioners."
Space and Africa
The "space odyssey" theme was chosen deliberately: Russia, China, and other BRICS countries are actively developing joint projects to explore the Moon and deep space, engaging African countries (Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Africa) in this work. In parallel with the "space track," the African Initiative is developing the "terrestrial" track—the financial infrastructure without which neither space nor trade partnerships are possible.
About the partner:
The African Initiative news agency is based in Moscow and operates in Russian, English, French, and Arabic. The agency organizes cultural exchanges, press tours, and now business events on financial logistics, promoting friendly relations between Russia and African countries.
*Note for accreditation: Media accreditation for the Roundtable (June 23) and the BRICS Ball "Space Odyssey" (June 24) opens on [date]. For further comments and accreditation, please contact the press service at +7 495 7083281.*
Press Service of the BRICS Ball "Space Odyssey"