President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has arrived in South Africa to take part in the BRICS summit, the South African government said on Monday.
"His Excellency President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva accompanied by his spouse, Her Excellency Ms Rosangela da Silva, arriving at OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa for the XV BRICS Summit," the government said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Lula said upon arrival that decisions taken during the current summit would influence other international organizations and forums, such as the G20 and the UN General Assembly.
The Brazilian president added that he would prefer to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in person during the summit, although he emphasized that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is a "very important and experienced diplomat."
Lula da Silva has earlier announced that Brazil intends to raise the issue at the bloc's upcoming summit in South Africa in August, the move, supported by Russia as well.
The BRICS summit will take place in Johannesburg from August 22-24 and is expected to be attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the leaders of China, India, Brazil and South Africa. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will also attend the summit.