In this week’s round-up: Highlights from the BRICS Games; Most BRICS countries skip Ukraine peace summit; Nicaragua interested in accessing credits from New Development Bank; Marjorie Taylor Greene says BRICS nations are moving to ‘destroy America’s economy’ ; Senior Russian diplomat says relaxing visa rules for BRICS countries worth considering, and more.
The 2024 BRICS Games: Special coverage
Hundreds of athletes are gathering in Russia for the 2024 BRICS Games. Around 100 countries are expected to meet in Kazan, Russia, on June 12-23 for events in 20 different sports. Watch this space for our coverage of this global event, which is a scene-setter for the Olympics next month.
Russia wins 24 gold medals on second day of BRICS games
Russian athletes won 24 gold medals on Friday, the second day of the BRICS Games in Russia’s Volga Area city of Kazan.
Belarus win 20 medals on BRICS Games 2024 day four
Belarus won six gold, 10 silver and four bronze medals on the fourth competition day at BRICS Games 2024 in Kazan, Russia on 16 June.
Strong European presence at Ukraine peace summit, but thin representation from ASEAN, BRICS & SCO
A number of BRICS, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and ASEAN countries have chosen to give the Global Peace Summit being hosted by Switzerland on the Russia-Ukraine war a miss or merely sent observers/envoys.
BRICS Members Reject Joint Declaration at Swiss Ukraine Conference
The BRICS countries, as well as several other states that attended the Swiss-hosted summit on Ukraine did not sign a joint declaration on the results of the talks, according to the signatory list.
How Did China, India, and the BRICS Approach the Swiss Peace Summit on the Russia-Ukraine War?
On June 15 and 16, 100 delegations comprising 92 state representatives and eight representatives from various international organizations were invited for a high-level dialogue in the Burgenstock Resort in Switzerland. The agenda was to establish a way forward for a comprehensive and lasting peace for Ukraine. Most of the attending nations approved the Joint Communiqué on a Peace Framework. However, the major economies from the developing world, particularly the BRICS-plus grouping of states, have not lent their support.
Nicaragua interested in accessing credits from BRICS Bank
Deputy Wálmaro Gutiérrez affirmed that one of Nicaragua’s interests in becoming a member of the BRICS is to be able to access soft credits from the Bank of that group for projects and infrastructure works.
Iran’s BRICS Membership Marks New Age in Regional Relations: Russian Politician
Iran’s membership in BRICS and its cooperation agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union have opened a new chapter in the promotion of Tehran’s relations with regional countries, a senior member of Russia’s State Duma said.
SA, India shift to the Right may impact BRICS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was able to secure a third five-year term with the necessary support from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), a right-leaning coalition of 15 members. In South Africa, the business community promptly expressed its expectations concerning the composition of a multiparty coalition. Under conditions whereby the Left is struggling to display strategic dexterity, the ANC has little choice but to gravitate towards the Right.
BRICS Plus to empower previously unheard nations — Thai ruling party head
As chair of BRICS, Russia will give a voice to all countries, even those who have previously been largely unheard, Chairwoman of Thailand’s ruling Pheu Thai (For Thais) Party Paetongtarn Shinawatra said at a meeting of the “World Majority for a Multipolar World” international inter-party forum in the BRICS and partner countries format.
Kazan to host international Municipal BRICS+ Forum with delegates from 21 nations
About 200 mayors, deputy mayors, heads of municipal associations and local government representatives from 21 countries are expected to attend the International Municipal BRICS+ Forum, which will take place on June 21 at Kazan City Hall, the press service for the Kazan Mayor’s Office reported to TASS.
With Syria’s participation, International Inter-Party Forum “BRICS and Partner-Countries” kicks off
Moscow, SANA- International Inter-Party Forum “BRICS and Partner-Countries” kicked off on Monday in the Russian city of Vladivostok with the participation of 150 representatives of parties from 32 countries, including al-Baath Arab Socialist Party in Syria.
Marjorie Taylor Greene says BRICS nations are moving to ‘destroy America’s economy’
U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has raised alarms about the potential economic consequences for America as she claimed BRICS nations plan to move away from the U.S. dollar.
Zimbabwe’s Defence Minister in Russia for BRICS meetings
Zimbabwe is prepared to join the BRICS group, which will facilitate freer trade with other nations, stated Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri at a BRICS meeting in Vladivostok, Russia. She emphasised BRICS’s role in promoting a new economic world order and countering Western dominance.
Malaysia prepares to join BRICS pending ‘final results’ from South Africa
Malaysia is preparing to join the Brics group of emerging economies, according to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Senior Russian diplomat says relaxing visa rules for BRICS countries worth considering
Moscow should try to make it easier for people from BRICS countries to get visas to visit Russia, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said in an interview with TASS.
Mushahid Hussain becomes first Pakistani to address BRICS forum
Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed became the first Pakistani to address the official International BRICS Forum, hosted by current Chair, Russia, at the Russian Far Eastern port of Vladivostok, close to North Korea and Japan.
Mushahid criticises ‘declining West’s double standards on Gaza genocide’
Mushahid Hussain gave a keynote speech in which he expressed the hope that ‘Pakistan hopes to join BRICS as Pakistan wants to be part of the new emerging order of the Global South’, adding ‘Pakistan as a member of the UN Security Council during 2025-2026 will be a robust voice for peace, justice and the oppressed’.
Pakistan’s inclusion in BRICS is the way to go
Senator Mushahid called for Islamabad’s inclusion in BRICS, citing a desire to join the emerging global order as an indispensable geopolitical player from South Asia.
Fawzia Peer heads key BRICS Women in Business position
Veteran Durban politician Fawzia Peer has been selected as South Africa’s head of capacity building for the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance.
Russia Welcomes Saudi Arabia’s participation in BRICS Group
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov welcomed Saudi Arabia’s participation in the BRICS group, stating that Riyadh’s involvement is an indisputable fact.
The wisdom and folly of joining BRICS Plus
The potential benefits and risks for countries considering joining the BRICS Plus group. How membership could enhance economic opportunities and geopolitical influence but also result in possible downsides, such as increased dependency on China and alignment with its political agenda.
Analysis: Why more Southeast Asian countries have signalled interest to join BRICS
A desire to diversify their options in the global economic arena is among the reasons why a growing list of Southeast Asian states are keen to join the BRICS group of emerging economies, say analysts, with Malaysia the latest to express interest.
Can India and BRICS become the world’s new security guarantors?
The rise of multipolarity and stronger alternative institutions offer hope of a new international architecture, one that’s more democratic, representative of the Global South, and can advocate for peace.
Egypt’s rise as global logistics hub takes centre stage at New Development Bank Seminar
Egypt’s strategic location, infrastructure development, and economic reforms are propelling its transformation into a global logistics hub, a theme that dominated discussions at the third panel of the first New Development Bank seminar held in the country.
SCZONE engages in inaugural New Development Bank forum
Waleid Gamal El-Dein, CEO of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), represented the organization at the inaugural forum of the New Development Bank (NDB), celebrating Egypt’s membership since March 2023. The NDB serves as the financial backbone of the BRICS consortium.
