In August, the countries that make up the BRICS group meet at a summit without the presence of any of its members in person.
This group of emerging economies consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa and started in 2006 with four members, the last of which joined in 2010.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend this summit because of an international arrest warrant against him.
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“President Putin understands the dilemma facing South Africa, but he didn’t want to jeopardize the summit or create problems for South Africa,” Anil Sooklal, South Africa’s diplomatic representative to the BRICS bloc, said at a press conference in Johannesburg.
For Sooklal, the Russian president’s decision is a sign “of the maturity and strength of the bloc (of the BRICS)”.
His personal absence does not mean that he will not be at the top, he will do so virtually to participate in all deliberations.
“All the issues we have put on the agenda are being discussed collectively and we are confident that the summit will be a success,” he added.
Twenty-two countries are planned to be included in this group, representing 23% of the world’s GDP and 42% of the world’s population.
“Twenty-two countries have formally approached the BRICS countries for membership, and an equal number of countries have applied informally to become BRICS members as well,” said Sooklal.
He named Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Bangladesh as countries that have shown interest.
The growing interest in joining the BRICS is “not new”, but underscores the “confidence” in the work the group has “upheld” since its inception, he added at a press conference in Johannesburg.
Not only will five countries participate in the next summit, 69 countries were also invited.
“The BRICS are not only the engine of global power in trying to change the dividing lines in terms of world politics, but they are also changing what happens in the world economic space,” Sooklal said.
Source: Eluniverso
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