BRICS foreign ministers, meeting in Nizhny Novgorod, have voiced their full support for Russia’s chairmanship of the group in 2024 under the theme “Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security.”
The two-day event, chaired by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, included representatives from both BRICS member states and partner countries.
In a joint statement, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering strategic cooperation across three key areas: politics and security, economy and finance, and cultural and humanitarian ties. They also reiterated their dedication to the BRICS spirit of mutual respect, equality, solidarity, openness, and inclusiveness.
The diplomats emphasised the need for collaborative efforts in addressing climate challenges and the growing importance of the link between sustainable development and global health. They called for continued cooperation in agriculture and food security, and underscored the significance of increasing the use of national currencies in trade and financial transactions within the BRICS nations.
“Expanding the scope for the use of national currencies in domestic settlements among the BRICS countries will play an important role in enhancing the flexibility of their economies,” said Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.
On the sidelines of the Ministerial Council, Lavrov met with acting Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani to discuss cooperation within the BRICS and SCO frameworks, with a particular focus on finalising a new comprehensive interstate treaty.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasised the role BRICS countries can play in shaping a multipolar world and economic globalization. “We will push for the formation of an equitable and orderly multipolar world and comprehensive economic globalisation,” he stated.
Lavrov also met with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Taye Atske Selassie to exchange views on cooperation in the UN and other international organisations, and to discuss conflicts on the African continent, particularly the situation in the Horn of Africa.
This meeting marked the first gathering of foreign ministers since the BRICS expansion in 2024, which saw Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia join the original members Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The event also included representatives from Bahrain, Belarus, Venezuela, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Laos, Mauritania, Thailand, Turkey, Sri Lanka, and other nations.
