Russia agrees to chair BRICS in 2024 instead of Brazil

The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that, at the request of the Latin American country, Russia will take over the presidency of BRICS, a group comprising Brazil, China, India, South Africa and the Eurasian country, in 2024.

Brazil has proposed that Russia should take over this role in 2024. In turn, the South American state will lead the union in 2025.

"Brazil has formally asked Russia to change the order of the BRICS presidency as an exception to Brazil's plans to lead the G20 in 2024. Of course, we have responded positively to the Brazilian partners' request. The agreement was supported by other members of the bloc and secured through an exchange of diplomatic notes," the Russian ministry said.

Last Sunday, 22 January, South Africa said it was expecting Russian President Vladimir Putin at the first face-to-face BRICS summit since the pandemic in August this year.

South Africa's ambassador to Russia, Mzuvukile Maqetuka, stressed: "We will definitely send him an invitation and look forward to it."

The diplomat said the venue of the summit had not yet been decided, but that the leaders of the group could meet in one of the country's four major cities: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban or Pretoria.

Several countries have now expressed interest in joining the economic grouping, such as Argentina, Iran and Algeria.

South Africa took over the BRICS chairmanship from China earlier this year. The country will lead the group until the end of 2023, as reported by Brasil247, a partner of TV BRICS.

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