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The upcoming BRICS summit, scheduled to take place in South Africa this August, might include discussions about new membership
Bangladesh has formally requested to join the BRICS coalition, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
The request was put forward following a meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa in Geneva last Wednesday.
A source disclosed that during the discussion with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the South African president positively addressed the issue.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said a formal letter of interest to the current chair of BRICS and South Africa’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor was sent in this connection.
When asked about this matter, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen confirmed: “Yes, we have expressed our interest and applied to join the alliance.”
The upcoming BRICS summit, scheduled to take place in South Africa this August, might include discussions about new membership.
Bangladesh is currently recognized as a “Friend of BRICS” and participated in the Friends of BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Friday.
In 2015, BRICS established the New Development Bank to assist both its member nations and other countries.
Following diplomatic communication to acquire membership, Bangladesh became the first country to join the bank after its founding members.
Dhaka to welcome if BRICS formally invites to join
Earlier in Geneva, Momen hinted that Bangladesh is likely to become a member of BRICS in August this year.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said Bangladesh will welcome if BRICS invites Bangladesh formally to join the group of five member states – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
“We will surely join once they invite us. We are yet to receive any formal letter (inviting us to join). BRICS leaders are thinking of taking some emerging economies – around eight new countries including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Bangladesh,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.
Earlier in Geneva, Momen hinted that Bangladesh is likely to become a member of BRICS in August this year.
BRICS leaders are expected to attend the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africa from August 22-24. The Summit will be hosted at the Sandton Convention Centre (SCC) in Johannesburg, Gauteng.
BRICS leaders will engage with business during the BRICS Business Forum and engage with the New Development Bank, BRICS Business Council and other mechanisms during the Summit.
South Africa will also continue its outreach to leaders from Africa and the global South and hold a BRICS Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue during the 15th BRICS Summit.
Foreign Minister Dr Momen recently joined the Friends of BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting virtually at the invitation of the Foreign Minister of South Africa Dr. Naledi Pandor and said the current global economic crises are inducing countries to cooperate more in regional and multilateral platforms.
Momen referred to the development, economic, environmental and health-related focus of the BRICS nations.
He suggested that the BRICS member states transfer their cost-effective technology to the developing partners.
