Iran hosts conference with ‘partner’ BRICS
Addressing a high-level conference dubbed, “Iran and BRICS: Prospects for Partnership and Cooperation,” in Tehran on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Iran is already cooperating with the bloc of emerging markets in such fields as transport and the International North-South Transit Corridor (INSTC).
The top Iranian diplomat pointed out that Iran enjoys a unique geostrategic position in the world, which makes it a perfect partner for bilateral and multilateral cooperation, according to IRNA.
He cited efforts underway for diversifying Iran-China transit as one of the areas for cooperation, adding that through Iran, China can be linked to the Sea of Oman and, subsequently, to Brazil and South Africa.
Also speaking at the Tehran conference, Anil Sooklal, South Africa’s ambassador-at-large for Asia and BRICS, noted that BRICS was formed to promote international cooperation.
“We want to work for the Global South and the good of humanity.”
The BRICS group of fast-developing economies — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — is often seen as an alternative to Western economic and political hegemony. It accounts for 42% of the global population and about 26% of the world’s economy, according to the South Africa-based Institute for Security Studies.
Iran is among dozens of countries that seek membership in BRICS, and has submitted a formal application to join the body.