Russia Strengthens Its Position in the International Antitrust Community
India is playing a special role on the international stage this year. Apart from chairing the G20, in October the country is hosting the VIII BRICS Competition Conference, which is held every two years. The HSE International BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre is involved in developing the programme and organising the conference. Alexey Ivanov, Director of the Centre, recently became a member of the International Advisory Board of India's Centre for Competition, Investment and Economic Regulation—CUTS.
The International Advisory Board of the Centre for Competition, Investment and Economic Regulation—CUTS International (Consumer Unity & Trust Society)—focuses on competition advocacy and economic development. CUTS is India's oldest academic centre dedicated to consumer issues.
The International BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre (BRICS Centre) was established as an independent expert and analytical unit of HSE University at the initiative of the Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia and with the support of the BRICS antimonopoly authorities.
CUTS has a network of international offices around the world. Leading experts in antitrust regulation, academics, and practitioners are invited to join the International Advisory Board. This year Alexey Ivanov, Director of the BRICS Centre, joined the board. He is its twenty-first member and the only representative from Russia.
In addition to its head—Mr Frederick Jenney, Chairman of the OECD Competition Law and Policy Committee—the board includes Mr William Kovacic, former Head of the US Federal Trade Commission and current Director of the George Washington University Competition Law Center; Ms Eleanor Fox, Professor at New York University School of Law and one of the most respected scholars in the field of antitrust law worldwide; and other academics from Europe, the US, and the BRICS countries.
During his visit to the CUTS International headquarters in Jaipur, Alexey Ivanov gave an academic lecture to CUTS staff on new approaches to regulating digital ecosystems. In particular, he spoke about the results of the current phase of the eco-antitrust project currently being implemented by the BRICS Centre and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). The Director and the CUTS management discussed further cooperation and the organisation of a joint academic seminar in New Delhi on trends in antitrust regulation and new challenges for competition advocacy.
Alexey Ivanov also met with senior officials of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in New Delhi, where he strengthened the cooperation between the Centre and the agency and the involvement of the Centre in the preparation of the VIII BRICS Competition Conference, which India is hosting this year.
The final item on the programme was a meeting with Mr Suresh Prabhu, former member of the Indian Cabinet, former member of the Skolkovo Foundation Board, and current G20 and G7 Sherpa to the Indian Prime Minister. Mr Prabhu is the founding chancellor of Rishihud University. Alexey Ivanov and Mr Prabhu discussed the prospects of cooperation between HSE University and Rishihud University and the organisation of BRICS Centre events at the university.
Alexey Ivanov, Director of the BRICS Centre
We are striving to develop cooperation with all BRICS countries. Our Centre has already organised international conferences in South Africa and Brazil and has formed strong partner networks there. This year, we plan to work more closely with India. India currently holds the Presidency of the G20, and our work is in line with the Presidency's stated priorities of seeking unity and implementing the international agenda for the developing world. CUTS is our longstanding and trusted partner, and I am honoured to be on the International Advisory Council, working in a team of such global antitrust stars.
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