Simon Ng The BRICS economic bloc is set to host its highly anticipated summit, with an impressive 69 world leaders receiving invitations to the event. Notably, this includes all 54 African heads of state and the political leaders of major Global South organizations. The upcoming summit, to be held in Johannesburg from Aug. 22 to 24, is expected to be the largest gathering of its kind.
Anil Sooklal, the South African diplomat responsible for BRICS relations, expressed excitement over the significant outreach for this year’s summit. President Cyril Ramaphosa took the decision to extend invitations to all African leaders and major Global South bodies, a gesture that garnered immense interest from leaders worldwide.
In contrast, Western countries such as the U.S., U.K., and France have been left off the invitation list. This move came after French President Emmanuel Macron’s expressed desire to attend the summit, but Russia opposed the idea. Sooklal clarified that while Western nations were not invited, the BRICS group remains open to engaging with the global community to address common challenges.
The decision to invite all African leaders was motivated by the BRICS bloc’s growing involvement in the continent. South Africa recognized the importance of leveraging its chairmanship to foster development in Africa, particularly in advancing the continental free trade agreement.
Sooklal highlighted the enthusiasm and vote of confidence from global leaders in the BRICS bloc, emphasizing that more than 40 countries are keen on joining the group, with 22 already submitting formal applications. The discussions at the summit will also revolve around deepening interaction in trading local currencies, indicating a desire for reduced dependence on the dollar.
As anticipation builds for the BRICS summit, it remains to be seen how this diverse gathering of leaders will shape future economic and geopolitical dynamics. Feel free to share your thoughts on the BRICS economic bloc’s outreach in the comments section below.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about BRICS Summit
What is the BRICS summit and who is invited to attend?
The BRICS summit is a gathering of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, China, India, and South Africa. For this year’s summit, 69 global leaders have been invited, including all 54 African heads of state and leaders of major Global South organizations.
Why have Western countries been omitted from the invitation list?
Western countries such as the U.S., U.K., and France have not been invited to the BRICS summit. This decision was likely influenced by the BRICS bloc’s focus on fostering cooperation among emerging economies and advancing development in Africa and the Global South.
What will be the main focus of the BRICS summit?
The summit will concentrate on issues related to trade, development, and strengthening cooperation among the participating countries. It aims to promote economic growth, explore ways to deepen interaction in local currency trading, and reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar.
How significant is the outreach for this year’s BRICS summit?
The outreach for this year’s summit is notable, with 69 leaders being invited, making it the largest gathering in the summit’s history. It demonstrates the growing interest and confidence global leaders have in the BRICS bloc and its initiatives.
Are other countries interested in joining the BRICS group?
Yes, more than 40 countries have expressed interest in becoming part of the BRICS group. Currently, 22 nations have already submitted formal applications to join the economic bloc. This shows the increasing appeal of BRICS as an influential international forum for cooperation and economic development.
More about BRICS Summit
- City Press
- BRICS
- South African Government News Agency
- Southern Africa Development Community (SADC)
- The Guardian
