Opening up new prospects for cooperation between Viet Nam and BRICS

At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who holds the BRICS Chairmanship for 2024, Prime Minister Pham will attend the summit in Kazan, the Russian Federation, from October 23-24.

The BRICS group was initially formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2006, with South Africa joining in 2010. Earlier this year, BRICS expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) while maintaining its original name.

With the inclusion of new members in early 2024, BRICS now represents 46 percent of the world's population. As of the end of 2023, BRICS accounted for over 32 percent of global GDP, surpassing the G7 group (comprising the United Kingdom, U.S., Germany, Japan, France, Canada, and Italy).

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), BRICS currently contributes 36 percent of global GDP when measured by purchasing power parity (PPP).

This year's event, under the theme: "BRICS and the Global South: Jointly Building a Better World, will attract the participation of leaders from 30 countries and representatives of international and regional organizations.

The Kazan BRICS Summit is set to address key issues including energy and food security, the use of national currencies in bilateral and multilateral trade, the expansion of BRICS membership, new cooperation frameworks, collaboration in scientific research, technological innovation, and environmental protection to promote sustainable development. Discussions will also include cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

According to the Ambassador, the Prime Minister's tour is of great significance, reaffirming Viet Nam's consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification, and multilateralization of international relations.

It also demonstrates the nation's proactive and positive international integration, positioning the country as a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community.

Viet Nam's participation in this summit also conveys the message of supporting the role of multilateral forums and cooperation mechanisms, including BRICS, which operate based on respect for the United Nations Charter and in accordance with international law.

It highlights the voices and representation of developing countries in global governance and in addressing common challenges, contributing to the building of a multipolar and world order, and peace, stability, and development in the region and the world, said the diplomat.

The occasion, the Prime Minister is expected to hold meetings and exchanges with other countries' senior leaders and representatives of international organizations to discuss measures to strengthen relations in areas of mutual interest.

They will take the occasion to review the implementation of agreements to deepen cooperation between Viet Nam and other countries, as well as international organizations towards a more effective and substantive manner, contributing to the development and stability of the region and the world.

The Ambassador expressed his belief that the Prime Minister's tour will make effective contributions to the activities at the summit, reaffirming to international friends the image of a proactive, active, responsible, sincere, and friendly Viet Nam.

Meanwhile, it is an opportunity for Viet Nam to promote extensive cooperation with BRICS member countries and partners, and get access to BRICS' mechanisms, resources, and markets to serve the nation's development goals. Additionally, it provides a chance to join hands in addressing urgent issues on the global agenda, noted Dang.

Besides, the diplomat said, the Prime Minister's participation in the event also sends a message about the special relationship between Viet Nam and the Russian Federation. It highlights the effective promotion of the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, which has been built and strengthened over decades, based on a foundation of trust, sustainable cooperation, and mutual respect.

Within the framework the summit, Pham is scheduled to hold meetings with Russia's senior leaders and representatives of Russian business giants.

Leaders of the two countries will discuss major directions for future bilateral cooperation, and address specific issues in areas such as economic cooperation, trade, energy, oil and gas, science and technology, education, and culture.

These efforts will contribute to further deepening and expanding the Viet Nam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership, towards the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in early 2025, emphasized the Ambassador./.