In this week’s round-up: Under fire Minister Thembi Simelane to represent South Africa at BRICS justice ministers meeting in Russia; New Development Bank raises R1bn in South African bond market; Use of national currencies in BRICS already supersedes dollar; Turkey wouldn’t be interested in joining BRICS if it was an EU member state; Over 20 country leaders confirm participation in BRICS summit in Kazan.
Over 20 country leaders confirm participation in BRICS summit in Kazan — senior diplomat
More than 20 country leaders have already confirmed their participation in the BRICS summit in Kazan and their number continues to grow, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told TASS on the sidelines of the BRICS Media Summit.
BRICS media outlets increase interaction, foster understanding between nations — Lavrov
Media outlets from BRICS member states intensify information exchange and the role of the media in the development of transnational interaction and trust between nations is invaluable, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in a video address to the participants of the BRICS Media Summit.
BRICS is not a platform for settling political scores — Russian Deputy Foreign Minister
BRICS is not a platform for settling political scores, said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Russia’s Sherpa in BRICS Sergey Ryabkov at the photo exhibition “BRICS Family,” which is being held as part of the association’s media summit.
NATO member Turkey’s bid to join BRICS: Erdogan will find it tough to balance West with East
“Turkey can become a strong, prosperous, prestigious, and effective country if it improves its relations with the East and the West simultaneously,” said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in early September, as the news reports rolled in that Ankara has formally asked to join the BRICS+ group of emerging-market nations as it seeks to bolster its global influence and forge new ties beyond its traditional Western allies.
Will Turkey’s bid to join BRICS speed up EU accession?
Turkey has decided to officially bid to join BRICS, a grouping of some of the world’s emerging economies, originally comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — but largely dominated by Moscow and Beijing.
BRICS nations’ media to facilitate construction of fair world order — declaration
Media outlets of BRICS member states have agreed on facilitating the construction of a fair multipolar world order using their information resources, according to the final declaration of the BRICS Media Summit adopted unanimously.
Myanmar would like to become BRICS observer country — republic’s information minister
Myanmar would like to participate in BRICS as an observer country, Minister for Information Maung Maung Ohn told TASS on the sidelines of the BRICS Media Summit.
Experts on future of BRICS currency, US dollar and sanctions
The videoconference, Global Majority in the 21st Century: Countering Sanctions and Searching for an Alternative to the Dollar, focused on major issues, with leading experts on international financial relations speaking about the prospects for using national currencies for intra-BRICS transactions, the future of the dollar, the BRICS currency plans, as well as the impact of sanctions on the Russian economy.
BRICS Business Council working groups offer updates on work in the year-to-date
The BRICS Business Council has provided an update on its work thus far this year, reflecting on progress made and the challenges posed by the inclusion of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates into the BRICS Plus alliance in January.
Under fire Minister Thembi Simelane to represent South Africa at BRICS justice ministers meeting in Russia
Embattled Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Thembi Simelane will represent South Africa at the upcoming meeting of BRICS Ministers of Justice to be held in Moscow, the capital of Russia.
ActionSA says corruption-accused Simelane has no business attending BRICS meeting in Russia
ActionSA says Justice Minister Thembi Simelane has no business attending a BRICS Ministers of Justice meeting in Russia while a cloud of corruption hangs over her head.
Indonesia strong candidate for BRICS membership — Russian Foreign Ministry
Indonesia will make its final decision on the issue of joining BRICS after the inauguration of President-elect Prabowo Subianto.
BRICS foreign ministers to gather in New York in late September — Lavrov
The BRICS foreign ministers will meet in late September in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a press conference following talks with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdel Aaty.
BRICS platforms alternative to dollar, euro attract increasing number of states — Lavrov
Payment platforms alternative to the dollar and the euro being developed within BRICS attract an increasing number of countries, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a press conference following talks with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty.
BRICS: India and China lead as top two countries for vehicle imports into South Africa
This information was disclosed in the recently released BRICS+ Research Report 2024, which highlighted that South Africa’s admission into BRICS has enhanced the country’s international stature and trade and economic relations with these major economic forces.
Iran continues to develop relations with Russia, China, BRICS states: President
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a press conference with Iranian and foreign journalists, emphasized the need for Iran to continue developing its economy, create a free market, and expand foreign relations and access to investments.
BRICS nations have unique opportunity to share urban solutions – ex-Toronto mayoral candidate
The 2024 Cloud City Forum is taking place in Moscow on September 18-19, gathering leaders, entrepreneurs, urban planners, and experts from over 30 countries. The forum focuses on discussing the future of BRICS megacities and promoting collaboration on urban development strategies.
Egypt is the ‘Gateway to Africa’ for BRICS, says director of Russian Cultural Center in exclusive interview
The Director of the Russian Cultural Center in Egypt, Murat Gatin, said that Egypt’s membership in the BRICS group is crucial as it is the gateway to Africa, and one of the most important countries in the Arab world.
An expanded BRICS with UAE, Saudi Arabia will be even more influential in global economy
The BRICS summit scheduled for October in Kazan, Russia, will be held in a significantly altered context compared to previous editions. The alliance has been reinforced by the addition of five economically and geopolitically significant countries, including three Arab states, and thus expanding its membership to ten.
ILO welcomes BRICS’ commitment to promote inclusive, sustainable, and resilient labour markets and enable safe working environments
The conclusion of the Labour and Employment Ministers Meeting (LEMM) saw the issuance of the LEMM Declaration, which emphasised four priority areas including enhancing skills development.
BRICS membership not under consideration, Armenian PM says
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will attend the BRICS summit in Kazan, but membership of the organisation not under consideration.
New Development Bank raises R1bn in South African bond market
“On September 10, 2024, New Development Bank (NDB) issued three- and five-year notes totalling R1 billion in the South African bond market,” it said.
Turkey wouldn’t be interested in joining BRICS if it was an EU member state, foreign minister says
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Ankara was looking to diversify its options regarding global alliances, bringing up long-running ambitions for EU membership.
Russia welcomes Pakistan’s request to join BRICS
Russian Deputy Prime Minister (PM) Alexei Overchuk expressed his country’s welcome of Pakistan’s request to join the BRICS group of nations.
Where expansion could hit a BRICS wall
Turkey’s formal application last week for membership in BRICS marks a major step forward for a group that expanded its membership at the outset of the year to embrace Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates.
India highlights legal reforms at BRICS justice ministers meeting
India’s Ministry of Law and Justice participated in the BRICS Ministers of Justice meeting on 18 September 2024, with the Indian delegation led by Anju Rathi Rana, Additional Secretary in the Department of Legal Affairs.
BRICS summit to work out joint answers to collective challenges — senior diplomat
Russia and leading countries of the Global South and East will work out joint answers to collective challenges and threats at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said.
Use of national currencies in BRICS already supersedes dollar – Chamber of Commerce
The use of national currencies in transactions between BRICS members has already overtaken the dollar, Sameep Shastri, the vice chairman of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told Sputnik.
BRICS expansion to be discussed at UNGA ministerial meeting — senior Russian diplomat
The issues of BRICS expansion will be discussed at a ministerial meeting in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said at a session on BRICS cooperation prospects on the sidelines of the Fourth Eurasian Women’s Forum.
Ten OR Tambo pupils benefit from Brics youth summer school
Ten pupils from across the OR Tambo district had the honour to attend a three-day Brics Youth Association Summer School where they got to learn about geopolitics, economics, and the cultural foundations of the Brics+ nations recently.
