69 Leaders Invited to BRICS Summit
The upcoming BRICS summit is set to be the largest yet, with 69 invitations sent out. South Africa is hosting the summit, which will take place in Johannesburg from Aug. 22 to 24. Here are the key points:
- All 54 African heads of state and leaders of major Global South bodies have been invited.
- Western countries including the U.S., U.K., and France have not been invited.
- French President Emmanuel Macron expressed interest in attending but was opposed by Russia.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa made the decision to invite all African leaders to the summit, recognizing the bloc’s involvement in Africa.
- More than 40 countries are interested in joining BRICS, with 22 countries already submitting applications.
While the BRICS nations engage with the global community to address common issues, discussions at the summit will focus on deepening interaction in trading in local currencies. This reflects countries’ desire for greater flexibility and reduced dependency on the dollar.
Hot Take
The BRICS summit is shaping up to be a significant event with wide global interest. By inviting all African leaders, South Africa is showcasing the bloc’s commitment to the continent. The exclusion of Western countries highlights the desire for greater autonomy and independence among BRICS nations. The growing interest in joining the group and the focus on local currencies demonstrate a shift away from traditional Western-dominated economic structures.