Mr. Yuri Ushakov, diplomatic assistant to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has just updated information about guests attending the BRICS Summit scheduled to take place on October 22-24 in Kazan city, Russia.
Speaking at a press conference in Moscow, Mr. Ushakov said that 32 countries have confirmed their participation in the conference, of which 24 countries will be represented by their heads of state and the remaining eight countries will be represented by senior officials.
In addition, according to Putin's aide, the Secretaries General of a number of international organizations, including UN chief Antonio Guterres, will take part in the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan.
“I believe that the conference in Kazan could become the largest foreign policy event ever held in our country,” Ushakov stressed.
Yuri Ushakov, diplomatic aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, updates information about guests attending the BRICS Summit 2024. Photo: Sputnik
BRICS, founded in 2009 with Brazil, Russia, India and China, added South Africa in 2011, expanding the bloc's name, made up of the first letters of the founding countries' names, to BRICS.
Of the six countries invited to join the bloc at last year's summit, only Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE have confirmed their membership since the start of this year. Argentina withdrew from the bloc at the behest of its pro-Western leader Javier Milei. The situation remains unclear with Saudi Arabia, which is believed to have yet to ratify its membership.
Despite the expansion, the general decision was made to keep the BRICS name. At this year’s summit, BRICS leaders will consider accepting new members. According to Mr. Ushakov, as of now, 34 countries are seeking full membership or some other form of cooperation with BRICS.
The Kremlin official also informed that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is not expected to attend the BRICS Summit hosted by Russia, instead the world's largest oil exporter will be represented by the kingdom's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.
Mr Ushakov did not give a reason for MBS's absence. Russia had invited the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia to attend the summit. Two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters in January that Riyadh was still considering an invitation to join BRICS.
One of the sources said there were huge benefits to joining the bloc. An official Saudi source told Reuters in February that the kingdom had not yet responded to the invitation to join and that it was still under consideration.
The kingdom's warm ties with Beijing have caused concern in Washington, its long-time ally, with which relations have sometimes been strained in recent years.
“BRICS is a structure that cannot be ignored,” Ushakov said, adding that the West was pressuring countries not to join the organization. He also said BRICS members now account for 45% of the world’s population, about 40% of oil production and about a quarter of global exports.
Minh Duc (According to Straits Times, Anadolu)
Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/brics-la-mot-cau-truc-khong-the-bi-phot-lo-204241011101829401.htm
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