African nations show growing interest in BRICS – deputy minister
African countries are keen to explore pathways to join BRICS and deepen their engagement with the group, Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Bogdanov told TASS after the inaugural Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum.
The conference, held on November 9–10 in Sirius, a federal venue near Sochi, saw around 1,500 delegates, including 45 African government ministers, participate in discussions to strengthen economic and political cooperation.
“Of course, everyone is interested … This is a fact. Here at the conference, they expressed their desire to receive a framework or form of participation in BRICS. Naturally, this is all being discussed,” Bogdanov stated.
The diplomat also remarked on Western attempts to prevent the conference, though African leaders “are paying less and less attention to this,” he noted. “Why succumb to this pressure if it ultimately harms their own national interests? And they understand this,” Bogdanov emphasized.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other senior Russian diplomats met with the foreign ministers and representatives of Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Mali, Uganda, Nigeria, South Africa, and other countries during the event. Moscow signed agreements there with the Central African Republic (CAR), Rwanda, and other African countries to simplify visa requirements for diplomats and boost cooperation in the humanitarian and economic fields.
Lavrov announced that the next Russia-Africa Ministerial Conference will take place in 2025, with Russia open to hosting or attending such an event in any African country chosen by its partners. He highlighted the responsibility that comes with the decision made in St. Petersburg in 2023 at the Second Russia-Africa Summit to hold such events.
“Since foreign ministries coordinate relations with other countries and organizations, our task is to ensure no delays or setbacks but rather to accelerate contacts in all areas,” Lavrov noted.
