BRICS Sherpa meeting held in Qingdao prior to Xiamen Summit

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‍By CGTN's Guan Yang

It is a small group meeting, but the "sherpas" from the five BRICS countries are speaking on behalf of over 40 percent of the world's population.

In this context, “sherpa” refers to representatives of states or governments who lay out preparations for significant global summits, such as G7 or BRICS, laying out possible agreements. This makes the actual summits themselves more efficient, giving global leaders advance preparation for deals and points of discussion.

Over the past 10 years, BRICS members have contributed to more than 50 percent of world economic growth.

The second BRICS Sherpa meeting has concluded in the Chinese city of Qingdao in Shandong province. Sherpas from the five member countries focused on four major issues, including cooperation in political security, economic cooperation and people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

The second BRICS Sherpa meeting has concluded in the Chinese city of Qingdao in Shandong province. /CGTN Photo

BRICS Sherpas serve as the main channel in coordinating and advancing preparations for the BRICS Summit which will take place in Xiamen this September. Centering on the theme of a stronger partnership for a brighter future, the recent meeting conducted in-depth discussions on the world's political and economic situation.

“We started this morning with the focus on the political and security situation and how BRICS can cooperate better to deepen our interaction, and to address the fundamental challenges we find on the global arena”, said Anil Sooklal, a sous-sherpa from South Africa.

"There are these numerous mechanisms which are happening...some of the meetings have already been held, and the understandings and outcomes will be reported to the leaders at the Xiamen summit. And some of these will constitute part of the Xiamen decoration", said Alok A. Dimri, the sous-sherpa from India.

BRICS Sherpas serve as the main channel in coordinating and advancing preparations for the BRICS Summit, which will take place in Xiamen this September. /CGTN Photo

All parties agreed that BRICS members should promote global economic governance, deepen practical cooperation in trade, investment and finance, and reinforce people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

“Already now, we are very sure that the Xiamen Summit will be a huge success, and serve the leading role for China”, said Sergey Ryabkov, sous-sherpa from Russia.

The second Sherpa meeting has charted the key points for BRICS cooperation in 2017, drawn up a “road map” for advancing BRICS goals, and laid a foundation for the upcoming Xiamen Summit.

548km