Finance, investment and AI: Moscow to host the BRICS media forum

What the forum will cover

On 6–8 October 2026, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics in Moscow will host the second International Financial, Investment and Media Forum of the BRICS Countries, “New Milestones of Development in an ESG Economy”. The university’s announcement sets out three days of discussions on financing, international cooperation and practical business challenges.

The programme includes presentations of initiatives and projects in financial and investment cooperation and the technological transformation of companies. Representatives of government, business, finance, universities, technology companies and media organisations are invited to take part.

For entrepreneurs, the forum brings together several related questions: where to find financing, how to build business relationships across BRICS countries, which digital tools to use and how to organise teamwork. AI, taxation and media promotion are also on the agenda.

“Today, businesses operate in an environment where financial decisions are directly linked to investment, technology, changes in regulation and the quality of management decisions. That makes it important not simply to discuss trends, but to create a space for an open professional dialogue between entrepreneurs, investors, finance professionals, government representatives and the media.”

This is how Maria Igorevna Ermilova describes the forum’s purpose. She is the forum director, deputy chair of its organising committee, a Candidate of Economic Sciences and an associate professor in the Department of Sustainable Development Finance at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics.

6 October: the economy, financing and BRICS business ties

On the first day, representatives of banks, companies and government bodies will discuss changing business conditions in Russia and opportunities for cooperation.

A dedicated part of the programme will examine the economies of BRICS countries and the development of business ties between them. Topics include alternative financing mechanisms, investment cooperation, digital solutions, taxation and media promotion.

7 October: sales, teams and the use of AI

The second day focuses on everyday business challenges. Experts will discuss customer acquisition and sales, financial management, team development and internal processes.

The use of artificial intelligence is also on the programme. A separate block will look at building a business as a system, with coordinated management and operational processes.

8 October: youth projects and a case competition

The third day is devoted to youth entrepreneurship. At the “From Idea to Implementation” case competition, school and university students will present business ideas, discuss them with experts and receive advice on further development.

According to the organisers’ information published by the university, more than 50 school and university students from different educational institutions will take part. Industry, banking and government representatives will contribute as experts.

What the organisers hope to achieve

The organisers expect meetings at the forum to lead to joint projects and investment decisions. Maria Ermilova emphasises that participants should leave with practical tools, business contacts and an understanding of which solutions they can already use.

Konstantin Vasilyevich Ordov, dean of the Higher School of Finance and deputy chair of the organising committee, connects the programme with the development of future business initiatives:

“We want to talk not only about what is happening in the economy today, but also about what it will look like tomorrow. That is why the forum brings together finance and investment, technology and media, entrepreneurship and the youth agenda. These are different fields, but they share one point of connection: people and their ability to create, invest, develop and change the economic environment.”

He says the forum should result in new contacts, ideas, partnerships and projects that continue beyond the programme itself.