BRICS Plus – More voice for emerging countries

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BRICS cooperation between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa is now into its second decade. And under China’s chairmanship this year, it is looking farther afield to enhanced cooperation with other developing nations – a concept dubbed BRICS Plus.

The idea was first announced by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at a news conference in March. Dialogue with other major developing countries and organizations can widen the BRICS circle of friends and turn the partnership into the most important platform for South-South cooperation, Wang said.

The Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs. /Xinhua Photo

BRICS Plus will reflect the common positions and collective will of developing countries, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang.

Some of such dialogues have already been held by previous BRICS summits, and “These arrangements have further strengthened the interaction and cooperation between the BRICS countries and other developing countries and emerging markets,” the spokesman said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets the press, March 8, 2017. /Ministry of Foreign Affairs Photo

Foreign experts have already described “BRICS Plus” as an important initiative. Yaroslav Lissovolik, chief economist of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) told Xinhua News Agency the initiative is "aimed not at expanding the very core of the association and including the largest developed countries, but at increasing its openness and accessibility to integration for the states of the developing world.”

"The principle of openness of partnerships declared within the framework of the 'BRICS Plus' system and the role of this factor in giving greater stability to the world economic development are extremely important," Lissovolik said.

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