Comprehensive news: Leaders and heads of international organizations from multiple countries are looking forward to the 15th BRICS Leaders Meeting. Leaders | Countries | Leaders
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, August 22 (Xinhua) -- The 15th BRICS Leaders' Meeting was held in Johannesburg, South Africa from August 22 to 24. Some foreign politicians and heads of international organizations are full of expectations for this meeting, emphasizing its importance and hoping that the BRICS cooperation mechanism will play an important role in promoting the establishment of a more balanced global order.
South African President Ramaphosa recently emphasized the importance of the BRICS Leaders Meeting in a national television address. He said that this meeting is taking place against the backdrop of fundamental challenges facing the world, and the BRICS countries are calling for the establishment of a more fair, balanced, and inclusive global governance system. The joint action of the BRICS countries may promote significant changes in the world economy and international relations. He stated that South Africa supports the expansion of the BRICS cooperation mechanism.
This is a night view of Johannesburg, South Africa, taken on January 31, 2023. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Yudong
Brazilian President Lula recently expressed his high expectations for the 15th meeting of BRICS leaders and believes that BRICS countries can play a special role in helping to reduce global inequality. The participation of numerous African leaders and heads of international organizations in this meeting demonstrates the trust of developing countries in the BRICS mechanism. When talking about the expansion of the BRICS cooperation mechanism, Lula believes that it is very important to allow eligible countries to join the mechanism. He also looks forward to the New Development Bank playing a "more efficient" role, reiterating its support for trade between partner countries, including the BRICS, to be settled through local currency, and urging wealthy countries to adopt differentiated policies to exempt some of the debt of African countries.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, who represented Russia at the meeting, told the media that the goal of BRICS countries is not to replace existing multilateral mechanisms, nor is it to become a new "collective hegemon". The BRICS cooperation mechanism will promote world multipolarity, which is also the reason for the continuous expansion of models such as "BRICS+". He pointed out that the priorities for cooperation among BRICS countries include promoting the development of the New Development Bank, improving the emergency reserve arrangement mechanism, and payment systems.
UN Secretary General Guterres' spokesperson Diarik said that Guterres will attend relevant meetings during the BRICS summit. The current period is particularly challenging. The BRICS leaders' meeting brings together very important leaders on the international stage, and Guterres will use this to convey some key messages: "For a world burdened by crises and cracks, cooperation is the only reliable option." Guterres will also call on participating leaders to unite and take action on a series of issues such as addressing climate change and improving the international financial system.
Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Fan Qiuhui stated at a regular press conference that Vietnam has been invited to participate in relevant meetings during the BRICS Leaders Meeting. Vietnam has always adhered to an independent, multilateral, and diversified foreign policy, and is willing to participate in global and regional multilateral mechanisms, organizations, and forums and make positive contributions to them. Like many countries in the world, Vietnam has always been concerned about the discussion process of the expansion of the BRICS cooperation mechanism.
