The BRICS begin their summit in South Africa in search of greater global influence

The summit of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) began this Tuesday in johannesburg focused on the opening of the bloc of emerging countries to new members, as well as ways to extend its political and economic influence globally.

“The BRICS they cannot be a closed club. He G7 [de las mayores potencias occidentales] It is a closed club (…) and for the rich. We don’t want to be that. We want to create a multilateral institution and propose something different”, said the Brazilian president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvain an interview from South Africa with social networks.

LOOK HERE: South African radical left urges BRICS leaders to boycott upcoming summit in support of Putin

Lula also defended the accession of Argentina to this block, founded in 2009, to which South Africa joined a year later.

At least 40 countries have expressed their desire to join the club, including Argentina, Iran, Bangladesh either Saudi Arabiaand 23 of them have already formally submitted their application for membership.

The multiplication of candidaciesshows us that the BRICS family is gaining in importance, stature and influence in the world”, highlighted the South African president, Cyril Ramaphosaat the close of the first day of the summit.

Ramaphosa received Lula and the Chinese president, Xi Jinpingas well as the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrovrepresents his country in the meeting that will last until Thursday.

The Russian President, Vladimir Putinsubject of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court for the war in Ukraineparticipate by videoconference.

Before the start of the summit, Xi stressed “the new historical starting pointin the relations between China and South Africa.

The 15th BRICS Summit comes at a time of strong divisions on the international scene, aggravated since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

South Africa, China and India have not condemned the offensive of Russiaand Brazil has refused to send weapons to Ukraine or impose sanctions on Moscow.

Ramaphosa insisted on Sunday on his policy of non-alignment and assured that South Africa “will not be drawn into a competition between world powers”.

MORE INFORMATION: South Africa confirms that the leaders of Brazil, India and China will go to the BRICS summit

In an empty park near the conference center where the summit is taking place, a few protesters waved Ukrainian flags and held up anti-Russian banners.

“We do not believe that the BRICS will become a geopolitical rival of USA or nobody’s”, declared in Washington the counselor of National Security Affairs of the White House, Jake Sullivan.

The United States will maintain itsstrong relationships” with Brazil, India and South Africa and will continue “managing its relations with China and opposing Russian aggressionagainst Ukraine, he added.

not aligned

The bloc currently represents 23% of world GDP, 42% of the population and more than 16% of global trade.

Despite the disparity of their members, the BRICS coincide in the demand for a more inclusive world political and economic balance, particularly vis-à-vis the United States and the European Union.

Although 40 countries have expressed interest in joining the club, the current five members have “divergent views on the countries that should join the bloc and the conditions” access, explains Jannie Rossouwfrom the University of the Witwatersrand in johannesburgto AFP.

South Africa has been working this year on a list of “guidelines” for the entry of new members, said on Sunday its minister of Foreign Affairs, Naledi Pandor.

The question of expansion divides India and China above all, the two strongest economies in the bloc. Beijing wants to extend its influence, while New Delhi mistrusts the intentions of its regional rival.

“In the long term, the rivalry between China and India is probably the biggest challenge facing the BRICS”, considers Rossouw.

ALSO SEE: Putin will participate in the BRICS summit by video conference, says the Kremlin

In addition, the decision-making process within the bloc, which requires consensus, constitutes a “major obstacle” on the question of a possible expansion, underlines Jackie Cilliersfrom the Institute for Security Studies of Praetorship.

During the summit, another 50 leaders attend a program called “BRICS friends”.

The South African government also announced the arrival of the UN Secretary General, Anthony Guterres.

Source: Elcomercio

jack

I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.