Kazan, Russia — In a significant move towards expanding its global influence, the BRICS alliance has officially extended invitations to Venezuela and Bolivia for the upcoming 2024 BRICS Summit. The event, set to take place from October 22 to 24, 2024, in Kazan, Russia, marks a pivotal moment in the group’s strategy to enhance co-operation among emerging economies.
Details of the Invitation
Venezuela and Bolivia’s inclusion in the summit underscores BRICS’s commitment to broadening its membership base, particularly by engaging with nations that hold strategic importance in terms of natural resources and geopolitical positioning.
- Venezuela: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro received a personal invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Venezuela’s attendance at the summit is seen as an opportunity to fortify its ties within the BRICS framework, with the possibility of leveraging its vast natural resources to aid in the country’s economic recovery
- Bolivia: Bolivian President Luis Arce has also been invited, signalling Bolivia’s growing interest in aligning with BRICS. For Bolivia, the summit represents a chance to explore the economic benefits of closer collaboration with the alliance, particularly in diversifying its economic partnerships and reducing dependency on traditional Western markets.
Both Venezuela and Bolivia have previously expressed a desire to join BRICS, with their participation in the summit highlighting their intent to deepen international partnerships and explore alternative economic models. The invitations are part of a broader BRICS strategy to expand its influence by including nations that are resource-rich or seeking to diversify their economic alliances.
Implications of the Invitations
The addition of Venezuela and Bolivia to the BRICS Summit comes at a time of growing interest in the alliance, with over 45 countries reportedly exploring potential membership. The 2024 summit is expected to address critical issues such as the de-dollarization of trade, the potential introduction of a new currency for transactions among member states, and further discussions on expanding the bloc’s membership.
The participation of Venezuela and Bolivia in the upcoming summit could have far-reaching implications for global economic alliances. As BRICS continues to grow, the inclusion of these nations could help reshape trade dynamics and economic cooperation on a global scale, particularly as the geopolitical landscape evolves.
The 2024 BRICS Summit is shaping up to be a landmark event, with the potential to redefine economic alliances and influence the future direction of global trade and diplomacy.
ALSO READ: Foreign ministers meet in Nizhny Novgorod for BRICS Summit