Lula da Silva invites Mexico, Uruguay, and Colombia to BRICS summit

Brazil has invited Mexico, Uruguay, and Colombia to participate in the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro in July. This was announced to journalists by the country's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, as reported by Prensa Latina, a partner of TV BRICS.

"I think that even if they are not physical members, it is important that these countries participate because it is time to have a debate with the whole world," the Brazilian President stressed.

Lula emphasised that BRICS has a significant weight in the world, representing almost half of the population and the international gross domestic product. He also emphasised the influence of China and India within the group, stressing their crucial role in the global economy.

"It is important that at this BRICS summit we really strengthen two fundamental things. Let's strengthen multilateralism and let's strengthen free trade," he added.

On 1 January, Brazil assumed the BRICS rotating presidency. In 2024, Russia held the chairmanship, during which period the key event was the summit in Kazan, where it was decided to create a category of BRICS partner countries.