In this week’s round-up: An analysis of Thailand’s BRICS bid; Egypt hosts the New Development Bank’s first international forum; BRICS Games kicks off, with 100 countries expected to take part; Dhaka, Nicaragua, Turkey, Venezuela and Indonesia eye BRICS membership, and more.
Sergey Lavrov outlines his vision for BRICS ahead of foreign ministers’ meeting
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s recent address at the BRICS Business Council meeting in Moscow outlined the agenda for the upcoming BRICS Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Nizhny Novgorod. Lavrov emphasised the importance of cooperation within BRICS, highlighting its unique format and commitment to economic growth, social problem-solving, and the development of innovative human potential among its member countries.
Businessman Yaw Nsarkoh supports BRICS membership for Ghana
Former Executive Vice President of Unilever, Yaw Nsarkoh has shared his insights on whether the next Ghanaian government should join BRICS. According to Nsarkoh, there are advantages to uniting smaller, fragmented entities to face global challenges.
Many Separate BRICS, No Single Wall: India and an Expanding BRICS
This analysis, published by The Diplomat, argues that BRICS lacks cohesion. The author, Krzysztof Iwanek, is a South Asia expert and was the chair of the Asia Research Centre at the War Studies University in Warsaw.
Up to 100 nations are registered to participate in BRICS Games in Russia’s Kazan
A total of 97 countries have already confirmed their participation in 2024 BRICS Games, which are scheduled to be hosted by Russia’s Kazan, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko said.
Tickets for seven final events at 2024 BRICS Games sell out
Tickets for the finals of seven events at the 2024 BRICS Games, which kick off in Russia in less than two weeks, have been sold out, Tatarstan Minister of Sports Vladimir Leonov said.
BRICS Games offer an opportunity to cement ties
BRICS Games 2024 are set to be the most exciting when they are held in the Russian city of Kazan from June 20-23.
Belarus eyes BRICS Games medals
The Belarusian sport delegation comprises about 620 people (including judges, managers, representatives of federations). There will be about 400 athletes, with the most numerous teams in athletics (81 athletes), canoe sprint (34) and rowing (30). The BRICS Games program will feature competitions in 27 sports, and Belarusians will not compete only in the acrobatic rock ‘n’ roll tournament. The organizers have invited athletes from more than 60 countries. About 5,000 athletes will compete in 392 medal events.
BRICS Continues Work on West-Independent Financial Mechanisms – Lavrov
BRICS foreign ministries are to continue working on financial mechanisms independent from the West, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.
United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed chairs first meeting of BRICS Steering Committee
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has chaired the first meeting of the BRICS Steering Committee, which was held via video conferencing in the presence of many UAE ministers and officials.
BRICS space agencies convene in Moscow
In a recent meeting in Moscow, the heads of BRICS space agencies deliberated on a draft joint statement urging the global community to refrain from deploying weapons in space and to ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities. Additionally, they discussed their contributions to the final declaration for the upcoming BRICS Summit in Kazan, scheduled for October 22-24, 2024.
Russia: BRICS after increasing global influence
The group’s agenda features endeavours towards “enhancing [the level of its] influence on global decision-making [processes],” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in Moscow, addressing the Women’s Entrepreneurship Forum.
Moscow holds BRICS drama school celebration
In a celebration of global theatrical talent, Moscow welcomes aspiring actors from around the world for the seventh annual BRICS International Festival of Theatre Schools. This eight-day event, commencing at the All-Russian Exhibition Center (VDNKh) as part of the ongoing Russia EXPO, promises a vibrant showcase of diverse acting skills and cultural exchange.
UAE, China interested in expanding cooperation within BRICS
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and China will expand cooperation within BRICS, according to the joint statement released after UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s state visit to China.
Have Your Cake and Eat It Too: Thailand’s Bid to Join BRICS
Bangkok recently stepped into the long queue of 15 countries planning to join BRICS. Even though Thailand is the first Southeast Asian country to request admission, it is part of a larger group of countries that have been invited to join: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE all became full members on January 1, 2024, and Saudi Arabia is not far behind. Regional powerhouses in their own right, these countries become a formidable economic force when taken together. These memberships underscore the vision of BRICS as a Global South community that rivals the global political and economic sway of the West – an effort that Beijing espouses itself to be the leader of.
Turkiye Would Like to Join BRICS – Top Diplomat
Turkiye would like to become a member of BRICS and will monitor the developments in the organization, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said.
Iran joins SCO, BRICS, despite pressure from foreign countries — diplomat
Iran became a full-fledged participant of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the BRICS group despite pressure on the part of other countries, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani said.
Russia welcomes Turkey’s interest towards BRICS — Kremlin
Moscow welcomes Ankara’s wish to join BRICS, and this initiative will be discussed at the upcoming summit of the integration, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
Beijing supports Dhaka’s interest in joining BRICS
Chinese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong has appreciated Bangladesh’s interest to join BRICS for which he assured of China’s active support.
SPIMEX will create an EAEU exchange commodity market, considering unifying trading within BRICS
The St. Petersburg International Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange (SPIMEX) will build a common EAEU commodity exchange market at the first stage, and aims to organize trading within BRICS in the future, SPIMEX President Igor Artemyev said in an interview with Interfax on the eve of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).
BRICS countries can pool efforts in reaching technological sovereignty — expert
The technological sovereignty supported by efforts of several countries may become a model for BRICS countries to cooperate in this area, Executive Director of National Technology Initiative Platform Andrey Siling said at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).
Support of BRICS Important to Restore Venezuela’s Energy Sector – Vice President
BRICS support is important for the restoration of Venezuela’s energy sector, Venezuelan Vice President Jose Felix Rivas Alvarado told Sputnik.
Egypt, BRICS countries volume of trade relations hits $25B: Planning Minister
Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Hala El-Said, revealed that Egypt’s trade relations with the BRICS countries have reached a total volume of approximately $25 billion across various sectors, during her participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2024.
Top Journos, Experts Discuss Role of BRICS in Multipolar World Order
Experts were due to discuss the ways BRICS nations can tackle acute threats and protect the sovereign rights of every state to pursue its own unique development model.
BRICS hopes to see Jakarta join, RI ambassadors say
Indonesia’s ambassadors to India and Russia say authorities there hope to see Southeast Asia’s largest economy join BRICS to give the group of major emerging economies a stronger voice on the global stage.
Nicaragua in Negotiations to Join BRICS – Presidential Adviser
The government of Nicaragua has set a goal to join BRICS and is negotiating this with the member countries, Adviser to the President of Nicaragua on Investment Laureano Ortega told Sputnik.
BRICS Considering Some 30 Cooperation Requests From Different Countries
BRICS is currently considering about 30 requests from different countries, which propose to establish different forms of cooperation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.
Egypt to Host BRICS Bank 1st Int’l Forum
Egypt’s New Administrative Capital will be the venue for the New Development Bank’s (NDB) inaugural international forum outside the BRICS countries on 11-12 June, with the support of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi.
BRICS members need to strengthen transport connectivity to grow trade, says Vijay Kalantri
India, Russia, Iran and other BRICS member countries need to collaborate in order to strengthen logistics and transport connectivity to reduce cost and time consumed in cross-border trade, said Dr Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, Russia India Trade House Mumbai.
Bolivia Has Good Chance of Joining BRICS in 2024 After Argentina’s Refusal – President
Bolivia has a good chance of joining BRICS in 2024 after Argentina’s refusal, but the decision is up to the group members, Bolivian President Luis Arce said in an interview with Sputnik.
BRICS foreign ministers to discuss global governance and conflict resolution
The foreign ministers of the BRICS member countries are set to convene in Nizhny Novgorod on June 10-11 to discuss pressing matters of international relations, global governance, and conflict resolution on multilateral platforms, according to Report.
