More than 30 states have confirmed their participation in the BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan, with the majority being represented by heads of state, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan Shamil Gafarov said on Monday.
"More than 30 countries have confirmed participation, 24 countries at the head of state level, nine countries at the head of government, ministerial level ... Six international organizations, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres," Gafarov told a briefing.
The Eurasian Economic Commission, Commonwealth of Independent States, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Union State of Russia and Belarus, and New Development Bank are among the participants of the summit.
Gafarov said that not only the Republic of Tatarstan but even Russia had not received delegations on such a scale. He added that the preparations for the summit started a year and a half ago.
BRICS is an intergovernmental association created in 2006. Russia assumed the rotating presidency of the bloc on January 1, 2024. The year began with the accession of new members to the association. In addition to Russia, Brazil, India, China, and South Africa, it now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, according to the website of the Russian 2024 BRICS Chairmanship. Media reports said that Saudi Arabia has not formalized its participation yet but has been taking part in BRICS meetings.