JOHANNESBURG, July 26. /TASS/. President Vladimir Putin has called on Russia’s BRICS partners to support’s the country’s application for hosting Expo-2025 in Yekaterinburg.

Speaking at the BRICS summit, which is now underway in Johannesburg, South Africa, the Russian leader said:

"I would also like to draw my colleagues' attention to Russia’s application for hosting World Expo-2025 in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg. Among our competitors there are no cities in Brazil, India, China and South Africa. Dear friends, we count very much on the support of the BRICS countries."

Putin thanked the president of South Africa for his great contribution to the development of practical cooperation within the BRICS.

"I am grateful to my colleagues for drawing attention to the idea of expanding our cooperation in the humanitarian area, in particular in sports, cinematography, and other areas," the Russian president concluded.

As previously reported, the theme of the Russian application is "Transforming the world: innovations and a better life for future generations".

In 2017, Russia’s delegation handed the city of Yekaterinburg’s bid book for Expo-2025 over to the Paris-based International Exhibitions Bureau.

The theme of the Russian application is titled "Changing the World: Innovations and Better Life for Future Generations." The Russian organizing committee prepared the concept of the "Smart City," that will be created with the use of latest technologies on the site of the expo.

Apart from Russia’s Yekaterinburg, candidate cities also include the French capital of Paris, Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku and Japan’s Osaka.

The winner will be selected during the 164th session of the General Assembly of the International Exhibition Bureau in November 2018.

Expo-2025 is expected to be held in the period from May 2 to November 2, 2025.