MOSCOW, December 3. /TASS/. During its presidency in 2024, Russia will finalize the modality of the new category of states, namely the association’s partners, the Russian foreign ministry said on Sunday.
"The Russian delegation presented plans of the association’s work in 2024. In line with the resolution of the Johannesburg summit, close attention during Russia’s presidency will be focused on efforts to integrate the new BRICS members into the architecture of multilateral cooperation. It is also planned to finalize the modality of the new category of states - the association’s partners," it said.
According to the ministry, Russia’s presidency will also address issues of the implementation of the BRICS economic partnership strategy until 2025 and a plan of action on innovation cooperation in 2021-2024. Apart from that, the focus will be made on efforts to increase BRICS’ role in the international currency and financial system, on the development of interbank cooperation and more extensive use of national currencies in mutual settlements.
Other priorities will include close foreign policy coordination within BRICS, first of all in key international formats, cooperation in fighting terrorism, money laundry, international information security, as well as the return of assets earned by illegal means.
"[Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and BRICS Sherpa] Sergey Ryabkov held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from South Africa, China, Ethiopia, IIndia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of the Durban event. The partners expressed support for the plans of Russia’s presidency of BRICS. They reiterated their commitment to close practical cooperation in the interests of the association’s further development and strengthening its international positions," the ministry added.