The first issue of BJE in 2026 presents research on institutional dynamics, technological transformation, and the shifting geopolitical landscape in the BRICS countries and other emerging economies. The issue opens with an analysis of the fragmentation of global science under geopolitical pressure, highlighting the evolving roles of BRICS nations in international research collaboration. Several articles focus on macroeconomic stability and institutional challenges. They evaluate the effects of foreign exchange restrictions on economic outcomes in developing nations, examine the long-term impact of political instability on economic growth in Afghanistan, and systematically review the implementation of ESG corporate governance across the BRICS bloc. The issue also addresses market integration, digital innovation, and diplomacy. These contributions explore the competitive evolution of Russian e-commerce marketplaces, compare AI adoption in the financial sectors of Ghana and Kazakhstan, and analyze the diplomatic complexities of South Africa's bilateral relations with the United States. Additionally, the role of retail franchising in ensuring food sovereignty within BRICS is discussed. Together, the contributions provide concise insights into the strategic, technological, and policy shifts shaping the future development of BRICS and related economies.

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