Nizhny Novgorod, 13 June 2024 (TDI): At the invitation of the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov, Murat Nurtleu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, took part in the ministerial session of the BRICS Dialogue with Developing Countries.
The session saw the presence of foreign ministers and deputy foreign ministers from BRICS member states including Russia, Brazil, China, India, and South Africa.
Alongside representatives from Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia, as well as invited countries including Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belarus, Venezuela, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cuba, Laos, Mauritania, Thailand, Turkey, and Sri Lanka.
The forum convened under the theme “Enhancing Multilateralism for Global Development and Security Equity.”
Minister Murat Nurtleu highlighted the BRICS platform’s uniqueness as exemplary intercontinental and interregional cooperation in his address.
Kazakhstan perceives this union as a potent catalyst for global economic growth and sustainable development. Presently, Astana maintains diplomatic representation in all BRICS nations without exception.
Murat Nurtleu said, “Last year, our trade turnover with BRICS members increased by 55%, exceeding 70 billion US dollars. We look forward to further expanding our ties on digital technologies, critical minerals, agriculture, infrastructure, investment projects, and many other areas.”
Minister Nurtleu emphasized the significance of collaborative endeavors in tackling present global challenges.
Moreover, He spotlighted President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s timely international initiatives, including the establishment of the UN Regional Hub on SDGs for Central Asia and Afghanistan, the formation of the International Agency for Biological Safety, and the vision for “World Unity for Just Peace and Harmony.”
He delineated Kazakhstan’s priorities during its chairmanship of various regional organizations (SCO, CICA, IFAS, CSTO, OTS, IOFS, among others), conveying the nation’s vision and positions on pivotal international issues to the event participants.
During the ministerial meeting, Minister Nurtleu engaged in bilateral discussions with the foreign ministers of Russia, Turkey, Belarus, Iran, Sri Lanka, and Ethiopia.
These meetings focused on enhancing trade and economic relations and exchanging views on significant international and regional issues.
BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) is a political and economic alliance formed in June 2006 at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, initially as BRIC.
In 2010, South Africa joined, transforming it into BRICS. As of January 1, 2024, Egypt, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia have become new members.
Each member state assumes the chairmanship for one year. Currently, the Russian Federation holds the chairmanship.
The 16th BRICS Summit of Heads of State is slated for October 22-24, 2024, in Kazan.
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Kazakhstan regularly participates in BRICS+ Summits, having attended high-level events in 2015, 2022, and 2023.
