Foreign Secretary reiterates SL’s decision to seek association with BRICS, New Development Bank

Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane represented Sri Lanka at the BRICS Plus Outreach Dialogue held in Kazan on Thursday (24). The Outreach Dialogue followed the conclusion of the BRICS Summit October 22-24.

The 16th BRICS Summit and Outreach was chaired by President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation and was attended by 35 Leaders (or their representatives), as well as the UNSG. The BRICS member States are Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE. Brazil will take over the Chair of BRICS in 2025.

The Summit concluded with the adoption of the Kazan Declaration. The Summit also welcomed the considerable interest by countries of the Global South in BRICS and believed that the gradual extension of BRICS ‘partnership’ status was beneficial.

In her address to the BRICS Plus Outreach Dialogue, Foreign Secretary Wijewardane reiterated Sri Lanka’s wish to seek closer association in BRICS and the New Development Bank. Foreign Secretary Wijewardane also outlined the relevance of BRICS in today’s world, the importance of BRICS membership for Sri Lanka, as well as Sri Lanka’s contribution to the Group.

On the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, Foreign Secretary Wijewardane met Russia’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Ryabkov, Egypt’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ragui El-Etreby and China’s Member of the CPC Committee of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Ma Zhaoxu for bilateral meetings. During these meetings, Sri Lanka’s interest in BRICS and the New Development Bank (NDB) was discussed and Sri Lanka’s interest was welcomed.

Foreign Secretary also met the New Development Bank’s President, Dilma Rousseff.

Charge´ d’Affaires of the Sri Lanka Embassy to Russia P. M. Amza and Director General of the Economic Affairs Division of the Foreign Affairs Ministry K. K. Yoganaadan were part of Sri Lanka’s delegation.

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