A two-day meeting of foreign ministers from BRICS, a group of major emerging economies, began on Monday in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. This is the first meeting since BRICS expanded from five to nine members, adding Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Representatives from about 15 other countries, including Türkiye, were also invited.
The meeting started with a moment of silence to honor Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who died in a helicopter crash last month in Iran.
Criticism of the West
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov chaired the meeting. He criticized Western countries for trying to impose their own rules on the rest of the world. Lavrov argued that the West uses economic sanctions and financial blackmail to maintain its dominance and prevent the rise of a multipolar world where many countries have power.
He said, “Recent international events have shown the true colors of those who claimed to define universal values under a so-called rules-based order.” Lavrov accused the West of imposing norms that only benefit them.
Focus on National Currencies
Lavrov highlighted ongoing efforts to implement decisions from the BRICS summit in Johannesburg last year. These efforts include developing a platform for transactions in national currencies and reducing reliance on the US dollar.
Focus on National Currencies
The meeting included not only the nine BRICS members but also representatives from countries in the Global South and East. This shows the growing influence of BRICS and the interest of other countries in cooperating with the group.
Agenda for the Meeting
Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said the meeting will cover various topics. These include international relations, global governance, conflict resolution, and cooperation in multilateral platforms.
BRICS’ Growing Influence
BRICS, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded its influence by adding new members. The group aims to strengthen the role of developing countries in global governance and create a more balanced international order.
Critique of Economic Instruments as Weapons
Lavrov accused the US and its allies of using economic tools as weapons. He said they apply sanctions and financial pressure to influence other countries’ development models and trading partners. This, he argued, is an attempt to slow down the formation of a multipolar world.
Implementation of BRICS Summit Decisions
The BRICS countries are working on implementing the decisions made at their summit in Johannesburg. A key focus is on creating a platform for transactions in national currencies, which would reduce their dependence on the US dollar and promote economic cooperation within the group.
Implementation of BRICS Summit Decisions
A separate meeting will be held with representatives from countries in the Global South and East. This expanded participation reflects the broad interest in BRICS and its potential to shape a more inclusive global order.
The BRICS foreign ministers meeting in Nizhny Novgorod is a significant event, marking the first gathering since the group expanded. It started with a tribute to the late Iranian leaders and involved discussions on critical global issues. The meeting highlighted BRICS’ efforts to reduce dependence on the US dollar and promote a multipolar world, with increased participation from various countries indicating its growing influence.
