The foreign ministers of the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—met in Cape Town, South Africa, today for a two-day summit, the second day of which will be dedicated to a meeting of the “BRICS-Plus,” the foreign ministers of the five member nations and 15 from nations of the Global South, including those seeking membership. Most of those attending tomorrow’s session will attend virtually, but the ministers of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, and Iran, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, are attending in person.
According to South Africa’s Ambassador at Large for Asia and BRICS affairs, up to 30 states have submitted official and unofficial applications for BRICS membership. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s goal to promote closer BRICS relations with African countries is reflected in the fact that among 15 top diplomats invited to the BRICS Plus meeting, eight are from Africa. There were many bilateral meetings held today among all the attendees with productive results.
The main task for this gathering is to prepare the agenda for the August 22-24 summit of BRICS heads of state in Johannesburg, which may include creation of a BRICS currency and consolidating the BRICS as a leadership body that speaks for, and defends the interests of, the nations of the Global South. On the issue of the BRICS currency, South African Foreign Minister Nelida Pandor pointed out that there are discussions underway worldwide, including among the BRICS nations, about ways to avoid the use of the U.S. dollar, and she stressed the need to strengthen the positions of BRICS currencies in international trade.
