BRICS leaders call for strengthening intra-cooperation

Reference:CGTN | Updated:17 Nov 2020

Leaders of BRICS countries called for stronger cooperation between BRICS countries in terms of trade and investment, the fight against COVID-19 and terrorism, and environmental protection.

BRICS leaders gathered on Tuesday virtually at the 12th BRICS summit, which was hosted via video conference this year due to the disruptions of the pandemic. Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted the meeting this year.

As most parts of the world are still struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic slump follows. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for international solidarity and cooperation in jointly coping with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and stressed upholding openness and innovation to boost global economic recovery.

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed the creation of a vaccine research center for BRICS countries be sped up. President Xi also said that China is willing to provide vaccines to BRICS countries if needed, and work with other BRICS countries in vaccines research, development, production and the standard mutual recognition.

To help the BRICS countries' economies shake off the cloud of the pandemic and quickly get back to health, the President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa proposed strengthening trade and investment ties between BRICS nations. Ramaphosa also encourages BRICS countries to ramp up investment in Africa, especially in manufacturing.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed deepening economic integration in private sectors between BRICS countries.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro also stressed that intra-cooperation need to be strengthened, and said that BRICS countries can play a key role in fighting COVID-19 and drive economic growth.

At the end of the summit, the BRICS leaders issued Moscow Declaration, in which the five leaders reached consensus on over 90 issues covering the fields of security, international cooperation, economy and finance cooperation and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

BRICS is the acronym for an emerging-market bloc that groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

The meeting was hosted by Russia, which holds the rotating BRICS presidency this year. India will hold the BRICS presidency next year. 

This year's meeting was originally scheduled to take place in Saint Petersburg from July 21 to 23 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.