The BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting is taking place in Cape Town (South Africa) for 2 days 1-2/6 to discuss many issues, including welcoming new members to the bloc. .
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Diplomats from BRICS member countries meet 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 their desire to join the BRICS and are currently shaping its approach to this issue.
According to Lavrov, the matter was discussed with the Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stressed that the conference sent a strong message that the multipolar world is "rebalancing" and that old ways cannot handle new situations.
“We are symbols of change and must act accordingly,” Mr. Jaishankar said.
Meanwhile, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu welcomed the new members joining the 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 in international transactions.
According to South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, the aim is to ensure "we don't fall victim to sanctions" that affect countries not directly involved in the sanctions.
The conference will continue discussions on June 2, with 6 foreign ministers from Africa and the Southern Hemisphere invited to attend.
The BRICS currently consists of five members: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, accounting for 5% of the global population, 41% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 24% of world trade.
The bloc's foreign ministers meeting taking place in South Africa is the first foreign ministerial meeting of the BRICS in four years.
The meeting's agenda is not made public, but analysts say the discussions will focus on deepening ties between members and looking at expanding the group.
Amid growing geopolitical polarization due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, BRICS leaders have said they are ready to admit new members, including oil-producing countries.
A total of 13 countries, including Venezuela, Argentina, Iran, Algeria, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have officially filed or expressed interest, South African officials said. become a member of BRICS.
