BRICS Against Any Kind of Hegemony, Neo-Colonial Policies: Putin

The BRICS bloc opposes any kind of hegemony and neo-colonial policies, Vladimir Putin has stated while delivering a speech at the open plenary session of the ongoing 15th BRICS Summit.

He further elaborated that the bloc's members have taken a firm stance on the global arena and protect the interests of the majority of world states.

"Our five countries have taken a firm stance on the international arena and represent a reputable entity," Putin said. "The authority of the organization is constantly being strengthened because its goals meets the aspirations of the main part of the international community — the "so-called world majority."

In addition, the president said the BRICS countries support the formation of a multipolar world order, based on the rule of international law, including on the right of self-determination for all peoples.

Moreover, the president stated that his nation is ready to work together with the BRICS countries at key international platforms, including the UN.

"We will carry out close coordination with partners. [...] Work together at key international platforms, primarily at the UN, continue the practice of regular meetings of high representatives on security issues," Putin said.

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Furthermore, Putin said the BRICS countries should increase the settlements in national currencies, as well as the cooperation between banks.

"We will contribute to the further comprehensive implementation of the BRICS economic partnership strategy until 2025 and the development of new long–term guidelines. Among them, we see a need in increasing the role of our states in the international monetary and financial system, the development of interbank cooperation, the expansion of the use of national currencies and the deepening of cooperation between tax, customs, and antimonopoly authorities," the president stated.

Putin touched on other filed of cooperation, stressing that it is high time to establish a permanent commission on transport within BRICS framework, which will work on logistics.

"An important priority for the BRICS interaction is the creation of new sustainable and safe transport routes. [...] We believe that the time has come to establish a permanent transport commission within the framework of BRICS, which would deal not only with the North-South project, but also, on a broader scale, with the development of logistics and transport corridors," Putin noted.

Russia also looks forward to intensifying cooperation between the BRICS countries in the field of research, the president said, adding that Moscow is ready to share technologies.

In addition, Russia's leader stated his country will chair BRICS next year and will host the summit of the leaders in the city of Kazan in October.

"Next year, the BRICS chairmanship will be passed to Russia. [...] We are planning about 200 political, economic and social events, which will be hosted in a dozen Russian cities. At the same time, we plan to hold the BRICS summit in October 2024 in Kazan," he stated.

Specific dates will be agreed through diplomatic channels, the president added.

Putin also invited the BRICS countries to take part in the St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum, which is scheduled to be held on November 16-18, as the event could become a platform for dialogue about the future of culture in the world.