Iran and Brazil Call for Enhanced Cooperation at BRICS Meeting

St. Petersburg, The Gulf Observer: In a significant development, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Ali Akbar Ahmadian, and Special Advisor to the President of Brazil, Celso Amorim, have called for the strengthening of political, economic, and security relations between their nations. This call for closer ties was made during a meeting on the sidelines of the 14th Meeting of BRICS High-Ranking Officials responsible for security matters and National Security Advisors, which took place on Wednesday evening in St. Petersburg, Russia.

During their discussions, Ahmadian and Amorim emphasized the importance of deepening bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including economy, trade, science, technology, and advanced industries. They also advocated for enhanced collaboration within the BRICS framework, highlighting the bloc’s role in fostering international partnerships and addressing global challenges.

Earlier in the week, Ahmadian engaged in talks with key international figures, including the Secretary of the Russian National Security Council, the Russian President’s Special Assistant for International Cooperation, the Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia, and the Minister of the Presidency of South Africa. These discussions aimed at promoting both bilateral and multilateral cooperation on the international stage.

The 14th Meeting of BRICS High-Ranking Officials, which commenced on Wednesday morning, includes representatives from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and Ethiopia, alongside Iran. The BRICS group, originally founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China as “BRIC,” expanded to include South Africa in 2010, becoming “BRICS.” The bloc seeks to offer alternatives to existing Western-dominated global policies, particularly those related to economic matters.

Iran’s inclusion in BRICS as an official member in January 2024 marks a significant step in the bloc’s expansion. This development followed an invitation extended to Iran and five other countries during the 15th annual BRICS summit in South Africa in August 2023.