Russia invited the leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States countries and those states chairing regional integration associations in Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

Moscow, October 10 (RHC)-- Russian presidential adviser Yuri Ushakov reported Thursday that 32 nations confirmed their participation in the BRICS Group summit to be held in the Russian city of Kazan on October 22-24 under the theme “Strengthening multilateralism for equitable global development and security.”

During a press conference, the official announced that “invitations to the summit were sent to 38 states” to attend the high-level meeting that will take place in the aforementioned western Russian city, on the banks of the Volga.

"Of course, it concerns both member countries and those who want to cooperate with our organization. Some 32 countries have already confirmed their participation,” he said, noting that they will be represented by state leaders.

Yuri Ushakov pointed out that all the countries that make up the group have confirmed their participation. “In addition, nine of them will be at the highest level and one country, Saudi Arabia, will send a foreign minister.”  In charge of the summit organizing committee, Ushakov did not rule out that the BRICS summit in Kazan could become the largest foreign policy event ever held in Russia, given the interest in the bloc among states that follow an independent foreign policy.

Russian presidential adviser Yuri Ushakov explained that, in its capacity as host, Russia invited the leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, who confirmed that they would attend.  He added that those states chairing regional integration associations in Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East were also invited.

Among others, the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Antonio Guterres, and the President of the New Development Bank of the BRICS, Dilma Rousseff, will attend.

The Summit will have two moments: the meeting of BRICS member countries (all day on the 22nd and morning of the 23rd), followed by the BRICS+/outreach meeting (afternoon of the 23rd and morning of the 24th), with the theme “BRICS and the Global South: building a better world together.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin will remain in Kazan from October 21-24.  He is expected to hold at least 20 bilateral meetings in the context of the summit.

Russian presidential adviser Yuri Ushakov commented that the number of countries wishing to join the BRICS cooperation in one way or another is growing. He said that currently a total of 34 states are interested in full membership or cooperation in various forms.

The BRICS were initially made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. In August 2023, the bloc decided to expand and incorporated Egypt, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia.