Ahead of crucial BRICS summit meeting, key online conference to provide insights
The 16th BRICS Summit is set to take place in Kazan, Russia, from October 22-24, 2024, under the theme "Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security." This summit will serve as a platform for BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—to focus on promoting global peace, security, development, and cooperation.
The BRICS leaders are expected to discuss critical global issues, including climate change, multilateralism, and combating terrorism. Notably, membership expansion will also be a key topic, following the group's growth in 2023, when it added four new members—UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Iran—bringing the bloc's total to 11. Saudi Arabia, however, remains undecided, and Argentina declined membership after a political change.
The BRICS nations now represent 28.3% of the world's landmass and 44.6% of its population. In 2023, their collective nominal GDP was $29.06 trillion, accounting for 27.4% of global GDP, a significant counterbalance to the G7's $45.92 trillion (43% of global GDP). In terms of purchasing power parity (PPP), BRICS9's GDP reached $65.79 trillion, surpassing the G7’s $55.02 trillion.
It is in this context that an online conference has been organized where Russian envoy to India, H.E Denis Alipov will be Guest of Honour. The online conference titled "BRICS 2.0 : New Members, New Horizons" will be hosted by INDIA WRITES NETWORK on Oct 18 from 4.30 pm.
Amongst other prominent speakers are Amb Kanwal Sibal, former foreign secretary and Sanjay Bhattacharya, former SHERPA BRICS India and Viktoria Panova, Head of BRICS Russian Expert Council. The event will be moderated by Manish Chand, CEO/Director, Centre for Global India Insights and India Writes Network.