Lula arrives in South Africa for 15th BRICS Summit

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva landed early Monday morning (Aug. 21) in Johannesburg, heralding his participation in the 15th BRICS Summit, a consortium comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The summit, spanning from August 22 to 24, is poised to convene 40 heads of state or government from across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, marking a historic return to in-person meetings post-pandemic.

Among the BRICS member nations, Presidents Lula (Brazil), Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Xi Jinping (China), and Prime Minister Narendra Modi (India) will grace the occasion, while Russian President Vladimir Putin will participate remotely.

The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has noted that 22 countries have already formally expressed interest in joining the BRICS, with discussions on entry criteria and principles forming a pivotal topic on the summit's agenda.

Another focal point of deliberation will be the future trajectory of the New Development Bank (NDB), commonly known as the BRICS Bank. Key subjects under scrutiny will include the utilization of local currencies and the potential introduction of a BRICS reference unit for facilitating commercial transactions.

Eduardo Paes Saboia, the Secretary for Asia and the Pacific at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, anticipates tangible outcomes in this domain, emphasizing its significance to the bloc.

While discussions on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine are expected, it will remain an internal topic for the BRICS heads of state and government, slated for private discussion during the retreat segment of the summit. Saboia elucidated that “this issue will receive comprehensive attention, albeit outside the public declaration.”

Following the summit, Lula's diplomatic itinerary extends to Angola's capital, Luanda, on the 25th and 26th. There, he will engage in private and extended meetings with President João Lourenço—on the first day of the visit—concentrating on bilateral cooperation and the reinforcement of historical ties. 

A seminar at the Angolan National Assembly centered on a project in the Cunene Valley and a business event are on Lula’s agenda, set to draw approximately 60 Brazilian business figures. Furthermore, the visit will witness the signing of agreements and memoranda across various sectors, encompassing agriculture, data processing, health, and education.

The diplomatic voyage concludes on Sunday, August 27, with President Lula's visit to São Tomé, the capital of São Tomé and Príncipe, where he will participate in the 14th Conference of Heads of State of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP). This multilateral forum includes the following member nations: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and East Timor.