“Invitations were sent to 38 states,” Ushakov said during a press conference, referring to the high-level summit to be held in Kazán.

Thirty-Two countries confirm participation in the BRICS summit, that will take place in Kazan, Russia. The event aims to promote multilaterism and development among emerging economies.

Russian presidential advisor Uri Ushakov announced on Thursday that 32 nations have confirmed their participation in the upcoming BRICS summit.

This year, the event will take place in the Russian city of Kazan from October 22 to 24, under the theme “Strengthening Multilateralism for Global Development and Security.”

“Invitations were sent to 38 states,” Ushakov said during a press conference, referring to the high-level summit to be held in the aforementioned city.

“Of course, this includes both member countries and those wishing to cooperate with our organization. About 32 countries have already confirmed their participation,” the advisor added.

He emphasized that all member countries have confirmed their attendance at the summit. “Additionally, nine of them will be at the highest level, and one country, Saudi Arabia, will send a foreign minister.”

Ushakov also mentioned the possibility that the summit could become the largest foreign policy event held in Russia, given the interest it generates among states pursuing an independent foreign policy.

He stated that invitations were also extended to those states presiding over regional integration associations in Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Notable attendees include United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Dilma Rousseff, president of the New Development Bank of BRICS.

The summit will be divided into two segments: a meeting of BRICS member countries (October 22 and the morning of October 23) and then a BRICS+/reach meeting (afternoon of October 23 and morning of October 24), under the theme “BRICS and the Global South: Building a Better World Together.”

In August 2023, the bloc, originally composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, decided to expand and welcomed Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia.

Regarding this expansion, Ushakov clarified in the press conference that the number of countries wanting to become BRICS members or cooperate with them in various ways is growing.

Currently, the BRICS also includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. On Monday, the Director of General Affairs of the Cuban Foreign Ministry, Carlos Pereira, announced that his country had requested to join BRICS+.

“Cuba has officially requested its incorporation into BRICS as a ‘partner country’ through a letter addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who holds the presidency of a group that is consolidating itself as a key player in global geopolitics and a hope for the Global South countries,” Pereira stated.

During an interview with the TASS agency, Russia’s ambassador to Cuba, Victor Koronelli, confirmed Cuba’s request and recalled that Cuban representatives have already participated in several multidisciplinary events within the BRICS framework over the past year.

He also mentioned that Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has been invited to participate in BRICS Plus/Outreach, a meeting that will take place during the upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan.

At the 2023 BRICS Summit, Cuba was invited as the pro tempore president of the Group of 77 + China. On that occasion, Cuban representatives advocated for enhancing synergies and effective coordination between BRICS and the G77.

Additionally, Cuba also defended respect for the United Nations Charter and urged the establishment of a new, more stable, predictable, and diversified international monetary order.

Formed in 2010, BRICS is an economic cooperation group that emerged as an initiative by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Since 2024, this group has included 10 countries, among them Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.