Invitations to take part in the BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan were sent to 38 countries, and 32 of them confirmed their participation, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said on Thursday.
"Invitations to the summit were sent to 38 states. These are both member countries and those countries that want to cooperate with our organization. Thirty two countries have already confirmed their participation," Ushakov said at the briefing, adding that 24 leaders will participate in the BRICS summit, while eight countries will be represented by second or third persons.
Secretaries general of the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Eurasian Economic Union, Union State, and the president of the New Development Bank will also attend the summit, Ushakov said.
The heads of 24 countries will take part in the BRICS summit in Russia's Kazan, while eight more will be represented by second or third highest-ranking officials, Ushakov said on Thursday.
"I will note that out of these 32 countries, 24 have confirmed the participation of their leaders in the Kazan summit. Eight countries, according to today's data, will be represented by states' second or third persons. Some 32 states in total. There is still time, and we hope that the range of participants will widen thanks to more countries," he elaborated.
At the same time, leaders of nine BRICS member states are expected to attend the summit, he added.
"Naturally, all the BRICS member states have confirmed their participation. Nine of them will be represented by their leaders, and only Saudi Arabia will send its foreign minister," Ushakov said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold about 20 bilateral meetings in Kazan as part of the BRICS summit, Ushakov said.
"If we talk in advance, we can assume that our president will have about 20 bilateral meetings, including with all the large and important countries that will participate in the summit, but not only with large and important countries, but also with others," Ushakov told reporters at a briefing, adding that the summit will become the largest foreign policy event ever held in Russia.
Russia considers the launch of new formats of interaction in the spheres of transport and logistics, nuclear medicine and climate as achievements of its BRICS presidency, Ushakov added.
"We consider the launch of new formats of interaction in the sphere of transport and logistics, between justice ministries, in the field of nuclear medicine, geology, climate and development interrelations as unconditional achievements of the presidency," he said.
The Russian presidency also paid a lot of attention to activating the financial track within BRICS, Ushakov went on to say.
According to the Russian president's aide, the launch of a financial platform, clearing infrastructure and reinsurance company within the BRICS will expand the practice of settlements in national currencies and reduce costs in mutual trade.
"Our chairmanship, certainly, paid great attention to intensifying the financial track within BRICS. The Russian Finance Ministry, together with the Central Bank, discussed with the merger partners the project of a common BRICS financial platform, a special clearing infrastructure and a BRICS reinsurance company. The launch will expand the practice of settlements in national currencies and reduce costs in mutual trade," Ushakov told reporters.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver a speech at the BRICS Business Forum that will take place in Moscow from October 17-18, the Kremlin aide said.
"Just in a week, on October 18, the BRICS Business Forum will take place," Ushakov stressed, adding that "our president is expected to speak at this business forum, and we will also hear video addresses from heads of state from a number of countries."
The BRICS Business Forum will take place in the World Trade Center in Moscow and will be dedicated to strengthening cooperation aimed at sustainable economic development and global trade partnerships.