MOSCOW, January 1. /TASS/. Russia’s 2024 BRICS Chairmanship will be themed "Strengthening Multilateralism for Equitable Global Development and Security," President Vladimir Putin said.

"The Russian 2024 BRICS Chairmanship under the motto Strengthening Multilateralism for Equitable Global Development and Security will act precisely in this manner and focus on positive and constructive cooperation with all countries concerned," he noted in a statement on the start of Russia's BRICS Chairmanship, published on the Kremlin website.

Putin pointed out that "on January 1, Russia was passed the baton of the BRICS chairmanship, an association which, according to the decision adopted by the 15th BRICS Summit in August 2022, now includes 10 countries." "Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates joined BRICS as new full members which is a strong indication of the growing authority of the association and its role in international affairs," the Russian president said.

"We will spare no effort to ensure that, while preserving traditions and being guided by the experience gained by the association in years past, we facilitate the harmonious integration of new participants in all formats of its activities," Putin emphasized.