The BRICS Foreign Ministers ' Meeting is taking place in Cape Town, South Africa, from June 1-2 to discuss a range of issues, including welcoming new members to the bloc.
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Diplomats from BRICS member countries met in Cape Town, South Africa on June 1. (Source: Reuters)
Speaking at the opening session, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that more than 10 countries, including Saudi Arabia, have expressed a desire to join BRICS, and the bloc is currently shaping its approach to this issue.
According to Lavrov, the issue was also discussed with the Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar emphasized that the conference sent a strong message that the multipolar world is “rebalancing” and old ways cannot solve new situations.
Jaishankar declared, "We are symbols of change and must act accordingly."
Meanwhile, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu expressed his welcome to the new members joining BRICS.
The BRICS Foreign Ministers' meeting also discussed strengthening the New Development Bank (NDB) and the possibility of using alternative currencies to the US dollar currently used in international transactions.
According to South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, the aim is to ensure that “we do not become victims of sanctions” that affect countries not directly involved in those sanctions.
The conference will continue its discussions on June 2nd, with 15 foreign ministers from Africa and the Southern Hemisphere invited to attend.
BRICS currently comprises five members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, accounting for 41% of the global population, 24% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and 16% of world trade.
The BRICS foreign ministers' meeting currently taking place in South Africa is the first BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in four years.
Although the meeting's agenda was not publicly announced, analysts said the discussions would focus on deepening relationships among members and considering expanding the group.
Amidst increasing geopolitical polarization due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, BRICS leaders have indicated their readiness to admit new members, including oil-producing nations.
South African officials said that a total of 13 countries, including Venezuela, Argentina, Iran, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have officially applied for or expressed interest in becoming members of BRICS.
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