10 Days to BRICS and the West is paranoid

What prompts the stream of non-western countries to seek BRICS membership?  The grouping is perceived today as the principal platform of the Global South espousing an equitable world order and, is part of our human destiny from this point forward.  BRICS does not even have a secretariat.  It is an organization based on agreement and consensus between the 5 and illustrates very clearly that there is a different way of doing things.  And it is not the way of control, financial shenanigans, coups and regime changes by Western Forces.  It also stands strongly for de-dollarization.  Where Russia is involved in a SMO to delete NATO from the map, BRICS is the group that is involved in the economic war, to wipe imperialism off the map.   This is why the West is paranoid and continually involved in their presstitute games, putting false press out on the BRICS members.  It is the old colonial divide and rule that is present here.

But the BRICS members seem to be impervious about this and they are going about their business.  The South African organizers for this BRICS summit has literally seeded the ground with a massive pre-summit organization.  They are organized, they have checked their to-do lists a number of times, and President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as the Chair of the BRICS group of countries for the year 2023, will host the presidents of Brazil, Russia, India and China for the XV #BRICS Summit.

Leading up to the summit, many gatherings were facilitated.  From the South Africans, we get comments such as this:

Very nice 15th BRICS summit branding at Oliver Tambo airport especially the international side. Clear messages, meaningful graphics, good positioning… Alive with Possibilities, the world is paying attention.

The BRICS countries Agricultural ministers came together for discussions and seminars on Climate Resilient Agriculture.  A think tank: “Unlocking Opportunities: The African Continental Free Trade Area” was presented.  A strong youth track as well as combined men and women’s business tracks were presented.  A women’s business track for all countries was already presented as well as buying and investment forums.

Cyril Ramaphosa invited (with consensus support from his fellow BRICS Leaders) 67 Leaders from Africa; the global South to attend the BRICS-Africa Outreach & BRICS Plus Dialogues. The Leaders cover all the continents & regions of the global South.   He has also invited 20 dignitaries that include the UN Secretary-General, AU Commission Chairperson, New Development Bank President, Chairs & Executive Heads of African Regional Economic Communities, & SG of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat.

South Africa’s vision for BRICS is to constructively, and in partnership with others, provide global leadership in a world fractured by competition, geopolitical tension, inequality, and deteriorating global security. BRICS should be the catalyst for sustained and mutually beneficial global growth and sustainable development that responds to the needs and demands of the whole world and not just the privileged few. BRICS should lead the way towards the inclusion of Africa and the global South in a more fair, just and equitable world based on mutual respect and the equal sovereignty of nations.

The main agenda item is how to grow BRICS.  Nalendi Pandor stated that “We have had formal expressions of interest from the leaders of 23 countries in joining BRICS, and many more informal approaches about the possibilities of BRICS membership.”  The formal list so far is:  Algeria, Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, the State of Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela and Vietnam.  In addition, 34 countries have confirmed their participation in the summit.  Of course these numbers will change somewhat.

It is a great secret as to who the new BRICS members will be.  Remaining to be done, is for the Leaders’ summit to finally sign the process of accepting new BRICS members and then these selected countries must agree to the rules of membership.  Iran has done excellent work to promote itself to BRICS and two meetings with Iran have already been held.  The Foreign Minister is already speaking out as a BRICS member. “Sure enough, as discussed at today’s conference, the partnership between Iran and BRICS has in fact already started in some areas. In the field of transport, the North-South transport corridor connecting India to Russia via Iran is actually part of BRICS’ transport project,” Amirabdollahian said.

President Putin will attend the full summit online.  Xi Jinping will be present.  So will the Presidents of Brazil and India be hosted by South Africa.   Putin’s formal remarks are expected on August 23, Anil Sooklal, the sherpa of the Republic of South Africa in BRICS said.

Dr. Kingsley Makhubela, a former South African ambassador and conflict resolution specialist stated:  “I think if the BRICS were to expand, my own view is that in the future, the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) would match to form one entity,” Makhubela stated. “Because having the BRICS and the SCO running in parallel with the same members would not make sense.”   “What is fundamental about the BRICS expansion is that the multipolar world is definitely emerging.”  There’s no longer this unipolar world that has been dominated by the United States and its allies.”

The organization is done, there is a great buzz around the Summit and the West is still paranoid.  Move over G7.  Economically and in terms of wielding influence you’re now bested.   This Summit will be known as a historic milestone in the construction of a healthy world.

Quote Wang Yi:  “The BRICS countries are like five fingers: short and long if extended, but a powerful fist if clenched together.”