15th BRICS summit

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2023 BRICS summit
15th BRICS summit
←  14th 22–24 August 2023 16th  →
15th BRICS summit logo.svg
23.08.2023 - Foto Oficial dos Lideres do BRICS - 53136599816.jpg
Host countryFlag of South Africa.svg South Africa
Cities Johannesburg
VenuesSandton Convention Centre
ParticipantsFlag of Brazil.svg  Brazil
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Flag of India.svg  India
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Invited bodies:
Flag of the African Union.svg African Union
Arab Maghreb Union
OIC Logo since 2011.svg Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
Flag of the United Nations.svg United Nations
Infobox ASEAN flag.svg ASEAN [1]
Chair Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa
Website www.brics2023.gov.za

The 2023 BRICS summit was the fifteenth annual BRICS summit, an international relations conference attended by the heads of state or heads of government of the five member states: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. [2] [3] South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also invited the leaders of 67 countries to the summit. [4]

Contents

Summit events

BRICS expansion

Several countries have expressed interest in joining the BRICS group. [5] At the summit, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have been invited to join the bloc. Full membership took effect on 1 January 2024. [6] [7]

Participating leaders

Other attendees

CountryPositionOfficeholderSource
Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria Finance Minister Laaziz Fayed [10]
Flag of Angola.svg  Angola State Minister of Economic Coordenation José de Lima Massano [11]
Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina [12]
Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik [13]
Flag of Bolivia.svg  Bolivia President Luis Arce [14]
Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana Vice President Slumber Tsogwane [15]
Flag of Burundi.svg  Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye [16]
Flag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon Prime Minister Joseph Ngute [17]
Flag of the Central African Republic.svg  Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadera [18]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Commerce Minister Wang Wentao [19]
Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg  Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso [20]
Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba First Secretary
President		 Miguel Díaz-Canel [21]
Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  DR Congo Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde [22]
Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly [23]
Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed [24]
Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo [25]
Flag of Eritrea.svg  Eritrea President Isaias Afwerki [26]
Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo [27]
Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia President Joko Widodo [28]
Flag of Iran.svg  Iran President Ebrahim Raisi [29]
Flag of Libya.svg  Libya Vice President Musa Al-Koni [30]
Flag of Malawi.svg  Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera [17]
Flag of Mozambique.svg  Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi [31]
Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia President Hage Geingob [32]
Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria Vice President Kashim Shettima [33]
Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine Deputy Prime Minister Ziad Abu Amr [34]
Flag of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.svg  Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic President Brahim Ghali [35]
Flag of Sao Tome and Principe.svg  São Tomé and Príncipe President Carlos Vila Nova [11]
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud [13]
Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal President Macky Sall [11]
Flag of South Sudan.svg  South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit [36]
Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan [37]
Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda Vice President Jessica Alupo [38]
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan [17]
Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema [39]
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe Vice President Constantino Chiwenga [40]

Controversies

Participation of Vladimir Putin

The BRICS leaders and Sergei Lavrov XV BRICS Summit family photo.jpg
The BRICS leaders and Sergei Lavrov

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. [41] South Africa is required as an ICC signatory to honour the warrant. [2]

In May 2023, the South African government, led by the African National Congress (ANC), [42] granted all invited leaders diplomatic immunity. It remained unclear at the time whether this would prevent Putin from being arrested if he attended. According to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, it was standard practice in South Africa to confer such immunity to attendees of international conferences held in the country. [3]

By early June 2023, moving the summit to China was being considered to avoid the issue. [43] In mid-July 2023, Vladimir Putin announced that he would not attend the summit "by mutual agreement" and would instead be sending Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. [44]

Narendra Modi's refusal to disembark plane

Ethiopian Prime Minister Ahmed with Indian counterpart Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting for Ethiopia's admission to the alliance PM in a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Mr. Ably Ahmed during the 15th BRICS Summit at Johannesburg, in South Africa on August 24, 2023.jpg
Ethiopian Prime Minister Ahmed with Indian counterpart Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting for Ethiopia's admission to the alliance

On 22 August 2023, Daily Maverick reported that India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi refused to get off his plane until the deputy president of South Africa was dispatched to welcome him [45] [46] [47] instead of the government cabinet minister that was present to conduct the airport welcome. [47] The South African government denied that Modi had refused to disembark his plane, saying that Ramaphosa was unable to meet Modi at the airport due to scheduling difficulties, and adding that it was common for government ministers to welcome visiting heads of state. [48]

Following the publication of the story, the Daily Maverick experienced a sustained DDOS attack from India, [46] [49] which forced it to temporarily block access to the site from the country. [50] The editor-in-chief of the Daily Maverick speculated that the reason for the DDOS attack was to prevent people in India from reading the article. [49]

Nonattendance by Xi Jinping

Despite meeting with host Cyril Ramaphosa earlier in the day and attending the BRICS dinner afterward, Chinese leader Xi Jinping unexpectedly did not attend the BRICS business forum where he had been scheduled to speak and instead his speech was read out by Minister of Commerce of China Wang Wentao. [51] [19]

Notes

  1. ↑ The head of government of China is the Premier, while the President is legally a ceremonial office and has no real power in China's political system. However, the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (top position) has always held this office since 1993 except for the months of transition, and the current paramount leader is Xi Jinping.

References

  1. ↑ "Di Afrika Selatan, Presiden Jokowi Hadiri KTT BRICS". Sekretariat Kabinet Republik Indonesia. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  2. 1 2 du Plessis, Carien (29 June 2023). "South Africa to host BRICS summit despite Putin arrest warrant". Reuters. Archived from the original on 4 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  3. 1 2 Wintour, Patrick (30 May 2023). "South Africa grants Putin and Brics leaders diplomatic immunity for summit". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 June 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  4. ↑ "SA invites 70 heads of states to the BRICS summit, but Western leaders excluded". City Press. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  5. ↑ "19 countries express interest in joining BRICS group". Times of India. Bloomberg. 23 April 2023. Archived from the original on 4 May 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  6. ↑ Shweta, Sharma (24 August 2023). "Brics countries agree major expansion as six countries invited to join". The Independent. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  7. ↑ "BRICS welcomes new members in push to reshuffle world order". Reuters. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  8. ↑ [Russia will be represented by its Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the Johannesburg summit]
  9. ↑ "South Africa says Putin to stay away from BRICS summit". Reuters. 19 July 2023. Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  10. ↑ "Le Ministre des Finances prend part au sommet des BRICS à Johannesburg (Afrique du Sud)". www.mf.gov.dz (in French). 23 May 2023. Archived from the original on 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  11. 1 2 3 BRICS Summit 2023 LIVE: Summit Concludes in South Africa, UN Chief Addresses Media, 24 August 2023, retrieved 26 August 2023
  12. ↑ "Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina holds bilateral meeting with Xi Jinping". India Blooms. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  13. 1 2 "Saudi FM meets with Belarus counterpart at BRICS summit". Arab News. 23 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  14. ↑ "Bolivian President confirms his presence at Brics Summit". Prensa Latina. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  15. ↑ BRICS Summit 2023 Media
  16. ↑ "Burundi's President Takes Off for the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg". RegionWeek. 23 August 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  17. 1 2 3 "Heads of State arrive in SA ahead of BRICS Summit | SAnews". www.sanews.gov.za. 21 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  18. ↑ "Arrival of the President of the Central African Republic, H e Mr Faustin Archange Touadera at OR Tam". YouTube . 24 August 2023.
  19. 1 2 Bhargav Acharya; Gabriel Araujo (22 August 2023). "BRICS divisions re-emerge ahead of critical expansion debate". Reuters . Archived from the original on 22 August 2023.
  20. ↑ "Arrival of President of the Republic of the Congo, H e Denis Sassou Nguesso at Waterkloof Air Force". YouTube . 23 August 2023.
  21. ↑ "China's Xi vows to support Cuba in defending its national sovereignty". Reuters . 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  22. ↑
  23. ↑ "Egypt's PM attends BRICS summit on behalf of President El Sisi". EgyptToday. 23 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  24. ↑ BRICS Summit 2023
  25. ↑ BRICS Summit 2023
  26. ↑ "BRICS Summit: President Isaias Departs for Johannesburg". TesfaNews. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  27. ↑ "Arrival of President of Ghana, H e Nana Akufo Addol at OR Tambo International Airport". YouTube . 24 August 2023.
  28. ↑ Indonesian president to attend BRICS summit in South Africa
  29. ↑ Iran President Arrives In South Africa To Attend 15th BRICS Summit - Iran Front Page
  30. ↑ "Musa Al-Koni participates in the BRICS Summit in South Africa. (In Arabic)". 21 April 2024.
  31. ↑ "Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met H.E. Mr. Filipe Nyusi, President of Mozambique on the sidelines of 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa".
  32. ↑ "Arrival of President of Namibia ,H e Hage Geingob at Waterkloof Air Force Base". YouTube . 23 August 2023.
  33. ↑ "Shettima to represent Tinubu at BRICS Summit". 21 August 2023.
  34. ↑ BRICS Summit 2023
  35. ↑ "The President of the Republic arrives in South Africa to participate in the BRICS summit". Sahara Press Service. 22 August 2023. Archived from the original on 24 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  36. ↑ BRICS Summit 2023
  37. ↑ "LIVE: President Samia attends BRICS Summit 2023 in South Africa". The Citizen. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  38. ↑ "Vice President Jessica Alupo Represents President Museveni at the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg". UBC. 23 August 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  39. ↑ "Zambia : President Hakainde Hichilema Urges BRICS Countries to Reform Global Capital Costs for Africa". 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  40. ↑ BRICS Summit 2023
  41. ↑ "Situation in Ukraine: ICC judges issue arrest warrants against Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova". International Criminal Court . 17 March 2023. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  42. ↑ Giordano, Elena; Camut, Nicolas (23 May 2023). "Arrest Putin, South Africa's opposition urges government". Politico. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  43. ↑ Carter, Sarah (2 June 2023). "Debate over possible Putin visit heats up in South Africa amid U.S. "concern" over BRICS intentions". CBS. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  44. ↑ Peyton, Nellie; Miridzhanian, Anait (19 July 2023). "South Africa says Putin agreed not to attend BRICS summit". Reuters. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  45. ↑ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  46. 1 2 "Modi 'Refused To Disembark From Plane' Over Snub Claims South African Media Report, Not So Say Officials". The Wire. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  47. 1 2 Fabricius, Peter (22 August 2023). "Ramaphosa focused on Xi, Modi threw a tantrum and refused to get off his plane". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  48. ↑ Koko, Khaya (23 August 2023). "SA pours cold water on Modi's alleged refusal to disembark plane when welcomed by minister". News24. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  49. 1 2 Patel, Faizel (24 August 2023). "'Daily Maverick' 'under cyberattack' after Modi plane saga report". The Citizen. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  50. ↑ O’Regan, Victoria (23 August 2023). "India hits Daily Maverick with malicious cyberattack after report on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'tantrum'". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  51. ↑ Jevans Nyabiage (23 August 2023). "No explanation as Xi Jinping unexpectedly skips his speech at Brics business forum". South China Morning Post . Archived from the original on 22 August 2023.