BRICS leaders call for harnessing potential to achieve the common good for all

New Delhi, Sept 11 (KUNA) -- Leaders of the BRICS group called on Friday to harness available potential to achieve the common good for all. This came during a speech by the leaders at a session held within the BRICS Business Forum taking place at the Bharat Mandapam center in New Delhi. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the session, urged leveraging the collective strength of BRICS to find global solutions at the forum, which was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Modi noted that over the past two decades, while global gross domestic product (GDP) had grown by 2.5 times, the GDP of BRICS countries had grown by 4.5 times. The BRICS Business Forum brings together business leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from the member countries to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, innovation, and sustainable economic growth. The forum reflects the shared commitment of BRICS nations to strengthen economic partnerships, create jobs, particularly for youth, build resilient value chains, and support inclusive growth. For his part, Putin, in his speech, highlighted the presence of dynamic and vibrant domestic markets, noting that BRICS countries produce 40 percent of global GDP and account for more than half of the world’s population. Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed concern over unilateral sanctions and called for the Global South to lead in manufacturing, technology, and value creation. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also emphasized the importance of using national currencies in trade among BRICS members and establishing necessary mechanisms to manage currency risks and settle transactions. Leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and South Africa are participating in the forum’s proceedings. (End) A.T.K./M.M.J.