The 16th BRICS summit in 2024, chaired by Russia, which aims to lead the bloc toward a new model of world order, is poised for prosperity, political scientist Ruhollah Modabber, told Sputnik.
"Russia’s intention to implement its program in 2024 will bring BRICS closer to a new model of world order. Initiatives in the field of science, food security, infrastructure and medicine are being discussed within the BRICS framework, and prosperity awaits BRICS in 2024," the expert noted.
He added that Russia adheres to the principle in its foreign policy, and therefore, today many countries want to join BRICS. Moreover, the bloc provides a platform within which countries in the Global South can interact, which "is evidenced by the presence of such countries as the UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia," Modabber opined.
The expert explained that BRICS today is not only focused on economic cooperation, but is also "changing the world order."
"And this is extremely important, because from the example of Gaza and Donbass we see that organizations such as the UN are not competent in resolving conflicts," he noted.
Towards Cohesion
This year's BRICS summit in Russia could spark discussions about increasing the group's influence through greater cohesion among the new BRICS members, Prof. Patrick Bond, Distinguished Professor and Director of the Centre for Social Change, University of Johannesburg, told Sputnik Africa.
In addition, the expert, commenting on the bloc's prospects for this year, expressed hope that BRICS expansion will continue, including through the incorporation of African countries.
"And the beginning three South Africa, Ethiopia and Egypt hopefully will be followed by many others joining BRICS and the logical ones in 2024 would be the biggest economy in population - Nigeria, as well as the main francophone country in West Africa, which is Senegal," Bond noted.
In this vein, he pointed out that African countries need to move more coherently to have a free trade bloc and to have more economies of scale as a trade bloc.
The professor also touched on de-colonization, calling Russia "the most advanced country in the BRICS promoting" it. Bond explained that Moscow has the most to gain if there is an alternative to the swift US dollar trading system.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in December that Russia's work under its BRICS presidency will be devoted to a fair world order.