The BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting is taking place in Cape Town, South Africa, on June 1-2 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, expressed their desire to join BRICS and the bloc is currently shaping its approach to this issue.
According to Mr. Lavrov, the issue was discussed with 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 was “rebalancing” and old ways could not solve new situations.
“We are symbols of change and must act accordingly,” Mr. Jaishankar declared.
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.
The aim, according to South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, is to ensure “we do not fall victim to sanctions” that affect countries not directly involved in the sanctions.
The conference will continue discussions on June 2, with 15 foreign ministers from Africa and the Global South invited to attend.
BRICS currently consists of five members: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, accounting for 41% of the world's population, 24% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 16% of world trade.
The bloc's foreign ministers' meeting taking place in South Africa is the first BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in four years.
Although the agenda of the meeting was not made public, analysts said discussions would focus on deepening ties between members and considering expanding the group.
Amid growing geopolitical polarization due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, BRICS leaders said they were open to accepting new members, including oil-producing countries.
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 or expressed interest in becoming members of BRICS.
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