On July 9, The BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre held a discussion in Geneva, Switzerland, on the topic: "Promoting Competition in Global Grain Trade: A Joint BRICS Effort ." The event took place on the side of the 23rd session of the UNCTAD Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGE) on Competition Law and Policy.
The discussion delved into competition dynamics in global grain trade and the rising power of finance and digitalization in the sector with the support of the first findings of the joint report by the BRICS Centre & UNCTAD presented last September at the 9th BRICS International Competition Conference 2025 in Cape Town.
Draft agenda as for 04.07.2026
18.00 – 19.00
A closed meeting of the BRICS competition authorities (discussion of joint projects, including the BRICS joint sector inquiry into the global grain trade, preparations
of BRICS meeting in Udaipur, X BRICS Competition Conference to be held in Brazil in 2027)
Presenters:
- Alexey Ivanov, Director, BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre
- Mahmoud Momtaz, President, Egyptian Competition Authority
- Ruslan Dzhaliukov, Deputy Head, FAS Russia
Commentators:
- Representatives of the BRICS competition authorities
19.00 – 20.30
Reception & discussion: what is needed to boost competition in the global agrifood value chain?
Moderator:
- Alexey Ivanov, Director, BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre, Professor, HSE University Faculty of Law
Speakers:
- Rémi Lang, Officer in charge of the Competition and Consumer Policies Branch, UNCTAD
- Maksim Yermalovich, Minister in charge of Competition and Antitrust Regulation, Eurasian Economic Commission
- Willard Mwemba, Chief Executive Officer, COMESA Competition Commission
- Diogo Thomson, Acting President, Administrative Council for Economic Defense
- Mahmoud Momtaz, President, Egyptian Competition Authority
- Eunice Hamavhwa, Executive Director, Competition and Consumer Protection Commission of Zambia
- Sophia Murphy, Executive Director, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
- Claudio Lombardi, Professor, University of Aberdeen School of Law
Feedback from the BRICS competition authorities & open mic discussion