PRETORIA, November 20. /TASS/. Leaders of the BRICS countries will hold an emergency video conference on November 21 to discuss the situation in the Middle East, including the Gaza Strip, the South African president’s office said in a statement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to take part in the conference, according to the statement South Africa now holds the rotating presidency of BRICS.

"Leaders of the BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India and China - will gather [under the South African presidency] for an emergency virtual meeting, inviting the leaders of the [new] BRICS countries - Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates," the statement said.

Following Ramaphosa's opening remarks, representatives of BRICS members and invited states "will make statements on behalf of their countries on the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza tomorrow, November 21." UN Secretary General Antуnio Guterres will attend the meeting. It is planned that the participants of the event will adopt a joint statement.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to kick of the meeting with a speech, which will be followed by statements from representatives of BRICS members countries and countries that have been invited to join with respect to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will take part in the meeting. It is planned that the participants will adopt a joint statement.