The 16th BRICS+ Summit 2024 kicks off in Russia’s city of Kazan, where the new member states—Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, UAE, and Saudi Arabia—are participating for the first time.
Under the Russian chairmanship of this year’s summit, leaders of 36 countries, including 22 heads of state, are attending the event themed “Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Security and Development.”
“Russia has taken a very responsible approach to steering our joint work in the grouping this year. We took steps to deepen multifaced cooperation among our states on three pillars; politics and security, economic and finance, and cultural and humanitarian areas,” said Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation.
“What we are all present here today is the dynamic development of the BRICS, as well as our influence and strength in the global sphere,” he adds.
According to the chairman of BRICS, a united approach in mutual respect and common values, shared economic development and prosperity, harmony, and a true impact on global stability and security are core values of the block that Putin calls, the “global majority.”
Recently, speaking in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa on Monday, during the inauguration of the renovated Africa Hall , UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated his call for a balanced and just global institutional reform including having a permanent seat for Africa in the UN Security Council.
“Africa still has no permanent seat at the Security Council. And let’s hope it will be corrected soon,” Guterres stressed.
BRICS+ share 45% (3.5 billion) of the world population and 28% of global GDP, while the G7 countries represent 10% of the world population and 26% of global GDP, according to Brookings.
BRICS was established by Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2006, with South Africa joining in 2011 and Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia on January 1, 2024.
