“Looking into other aspect of geopolitics to continue to work together, to collaborate at the various platforms, BRICS, G20, the United Nations as the prime multilateral platform, particularly in this age where unilateralism is raising its head again,” he told Sputnik Africa.

"We have already received political support from all BRICS members and hope to conclude our adherence process very soon," he said, noting that joining the NDB this year remains a priority for the country's leadership.

"By adhering to the BRICS, Ethiopia — together with South Africa and Egypt— can promote the African positions on peace and security, inclusive and sustainable development, climate, and other issues," he said.

"Given that Germany has adopted a strategic cooperation plan with India that runs through 2050, and France has concluded its largest investment agreement with the People's Republic of China, I fail to see how the European Union can present any valid argument to challenge Serbia's right and decision to build bridges of alliance and cooperation with #BRICS members," she said.

"It is well known that Serbia is economically dependent on the European Union, yet despite this, Belgrade resists Brussels' attempts to force Serbia into aligning its foreign and security policies with the EU," she continued.

"Serbia has not imposed sanctions on Moscow, and our determination to preserve strategic relations with traditional allies has never been called into question. This is a policy consistently pursued by both the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the President of the Republic, who has repeatedly made it clear that Serbia—despite being in the process of European integration—should not "cut off its own leg" and renounce friendship and cooperation with states bound to it by historically rooted relations, reinforced by strategic partnership agreements," added Durdevic-Stamenkovski.

"The parties signed an Additional Protocol to the Memorandum of Understanding dated December 20, 2021 between the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation and the Prosecutor General's Office of the United Arab Emirates. In accordance with it, a working group on combating crime and protecting citizens' rights will be established," the message says.

"During the Russian chairship, two strategic tasks were accomplished: first, we learned how to operate following the group's expansion from five to ten member states, and second, we determined how the bloc would respond to requests from additional states seeking to engage with BRICS. Indeed, there are now dozens of such states," Kosachev stated. He emphasised that Russia successfully addressed both tasks during its #BRICS chairship in 2024.

"In terms of the composition of invited delegations, the Brazilians indicated they would invite both the parliaments of BRICS member states and those of partner countries," he added. The organisers also plan to invite the leadership of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and Dilma Rousseff, head of the BRICS New Development Bank.

"The initiative of the Russian chairship is to enhance our coordination within the Inter-Parliamentary Union by establishing an additional geopolitical group tentatively named BRICS+. This will not be a closed bloc for BRICS countries and partners, but rather a broader platform aimed at including the maximum number of participants. Our Brazilian colleagues have confirmed their support for this initiative. Previously, colleagues from China, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, and South Africa have also expressed clear backing. Several other countries are still considering their positions, but in this case, as within the entire bloc, we do not impose our will or attempt to enforce a single discipline," he explained.

"Russia is very strong. We have a very good dialogue," he stated, commenting on President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s upcoming visit to Moscow to participate in Victory Day celebrations.

"Clearly, #BRICS countries carry a lot of clout in the global economy," the diplomat added.

The Bandung anniversary is of special importance for the activities pursued by BRICS, a group that reflects the interests and values shared by the Global Non-West and South.

"We acknowledge the importance of a continued elaboration of the initiative to establish a grain trading platform within #BRICS (the BRICS Grain Exchange) and its subsequent development, and expanding into other agricultural products and commodities and the implementation of an equitable trading system," the ministers said.

"We emphasise the vital role of BRICS countries as leading global producers and consumers of grains and reaffirm commitment to strengthening mutual agricultural trade. Our countries are engaged in advancing discussions over facilitating transactions between grain producers, exporters and importers ensuring transparent and secure payments," the ministers noted. They also supported development of integrated systems of electronic certification of foods.