The Foreign Secretary addresses BRICS Plus Outreach Dialogue in Kazan

Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane addresses BRICS Plus Outreach Dialogue in Kazan and reiterates Sri Lanka’s decision to seek association with BRICS and the New Development Bank.

Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane represented Sri Lanka at the BRICS Plus Outreach Dialogue held in Kazan,  on last Thursday.

The 16th BRICS Summit and Outreach was chaired by President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation and was attended by 35 Leaders as well as the UNSG.

The BRICS member States are Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE.  Brazil will take over the Chair of BRICS in 2025.

The Summit concluded with the adoption of the Kazan Declaration. The Summit also welcomed the considerable interest by countries of the Global South in BRICS and believed that the gradual extension of BRICS  ‘partnership’ status was beneficial.

In her address to the BRICS Plus Outreach Dialogue, Foreign Secretary Wijewardane reiterated Sri Lanka’s wish to seek closer association  in BRICS and the New Development Bank.

Foreign Secretary Wijewardane also outlined the relevance of BRICS in today’s world, the importance of BRICS membership for Sri Lanka, as well as Sri Lanka’s contribution to the Group.