BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that the ongoing BRICS summit has decided to invite several countries to join as partner nations.
Speaking at the block’s summit in Kazan, Russia, Xi hailed the decision as another important development in the course of BRICS development. During a small-group meeting, Xi welcomed new members to the BRICS family and invited many countries to become partner countries, China Daily reported.
President Xi emphasized that the expansion of BRICS reflects the shared pursuit of peace and development. He noted that the decision aligns with BRICS’ mission of fostering openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation.
Stressing the importance of unity in the face of a world marked by new trends of multipolarity and the looming risks of a “new Cold War,” Xi called for BRICS countries to seize this historical opportunity to advance their collective interests.
“The more turbulent the world becomes, the more BRICS nations must champion peace, development, and cooperation,” Xi said, adding that BRICS should continue raising its voice for peace and advocate dialogue over confrontation.
Xi further urged BRICS countries to focus on cooperation across key sectors, including agriculture, energy, trade, and finance, while expanding into emerging fields such as green energy, artificial intelligence, and low-carbon industries.
He proposed several initiatives, including the establishment of a China-BRICS Artificial Intelligence Development and Cooperation Center, as well as a BRICS Digital Ecosystem Cooperation Network, welcoming participation from all members.
During a large-scale meeting, Xi also made five key proposals for BRICS’ future development. Among these was the call for a comprehensive and cooperative approach to security, particularly in the context of the conflict in Ukraine. He reiterated BRICS’ stance on promoting an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and seeking a lasting resolution to the Palestinian question.
The Chinese president outlined a vision for BRICS as a driving force behind reforming global governance. He urged BRICS members to champion true multilateralism, enhance the representation of the Global South in international institutions, and reform the global financial architecture.
Xi called for stronger cooperation in finance and a more robust role for the New Development Bank in addressing the evolving global economic landscape.
The Kazan Declaration of the 16th BRICS Summit was issued and the establishment of BRICS partners was announced at the summit.
During the summit, the BRICS leaders also heard reports on the work of the President of the New Development Bank Dilma Rousseff and other heads of BRICS institutions.
