Chart – Standing at the forefront of the trend, BRICS cooperation has brightness, speed and strength_1

Kazan is alive this October as it hosts the first summit of the BRICS nations following its recent expansion. As the rotating presidency holder for 2024, Russia is welcoming leaders from the BRICS countries to the sixteenth meeting, taking place from October 22 to 24.

Often referred to as Russia’s “third capital,” Kazan is rich in history and cultural diversity, perfectly encapsulating the essence and spirit of the BRICS nations.

The city’s charm can be discovered in several iconic venues. The Kazan City Museum offers a window into the deep cultural heritage shared by the Tatar people and Russia. Meanwhile, the Kul Sharif Mosque, known as the “Crown of Kazan,” showcases the intricate tapestry of various religious histories and cultural influences. As one strolls through the streets, the beauty of Tatar literature, music, and art comes alive, reflecting the vibrant multiplicity of Russian regions.

Kazan is also recognized as a “Sports Capital.” It is currently hosting several exciting events, including the opening ceremony of the 2024 BRICS Games and a series of cultural dialogue initiatives aimed at fortifying the foundations of cultural exchange among BRICS nations. The depth and breadth of mutual learning and appreciation among civilizations are continuously expanding.

In 2024, countries like Egypt, the UAE, Iran, and Ethiopia will officially join the BRICS family, marking a historic step in the group’s expansion and showcasing the mechanism’s robust vitality and appeal.

Over the past year, BRICS collaboration has been characterized by brightness, speed, and strength, embarking on a new era of united self-reliance for the Global South. The BRICS cooperative mechanism is now entering a new phase.

For 18 years, BRICS has upheld the principles of openness, inclusivity, cooperation, and mutual benefit, establishing a strong flag for South-South cooperation. BRICS nations stand in solidarity with emerging markets and developing countries, sharing their paths towards common destinies.

In a time that has seen BRICS leaders convene special summits on issues like the Israel-Palestine conflict and collectively defend the rights of developing nations within multilateral mechanisms such as the G20, the coherence and influence of the BRICS cooperation mechanism continue to grow, emerging as a positive, stable force in international affairs.

As BRICS cooperation enters a new phase of high-quality development, China, the largest developing country, remains committed to its original aspiration of standing alongside other developing nations. The Global Development Initiative put forth by China has received an enthusiastic response from over 100 countries and international organizations, and more than 200 projects have been supported through the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund.

With the increasing appeal and influence of the BRICS mechanism, numerous countries are expressing keen interest in joining. Several nations from Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America have already formally applied to join, with even more expressing their desire to be part of this collaboration.

Recently, during a meeting of BRICS foreign ministers, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and China’s Foreign Minister, emphasized the importance of supporting Russia as the host. He called for a concerted effort to use the summit as a platform to advocate for fairness, justice, and common development globally. He also highlighted the necessity of completing the work on partner countries, which was agreed upon during last year’s summit in Johannesburg, to continue opening the doors to expansion and energizing BRICS development.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated China’s long-standing position: BRICS is an open and inclusive mechanism that supports the ongoing process of expansion and welcomes more like-minded partners to join the BRICS family.

Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that approximately 30 additional countries are interested in joining the BRICS cooperation mechanism, solidifying the growing prestige and role of BRICS nations in international affairs.