BRICS in Russia: Putin’s power play & SA’s hopes…

The 2024 BRICS Summit is being held in Russia. In this interview with BizNews, foreign policy analyst Sanusha Naidu of the Institute for Global Dialogue says with about 38 countries invited, 32 of which confirmed attendance and 24 sending Heads of State, “this is really a moment in the sun for Russia to say we still have traction”. She looks at what South Africa and Africa could hope to gain from its fellow members. Naidu also discusses the big talking point of trade in local currencies, and says she doesn't think BRICS wants to create a third currency, but would instead like to strengthen and instrumentalise the frameworks as well as the rolling out of piloting projects around the use of localised currency. She does not expect any major expansion moves at this summit because of the implication of permanent members having to start sharing their power base which then challenges who is actually the ultimate decision maker in BRICS. Instead it might rather focus on “partnership” countries. Naidu further analyses the extent to which the BRICS countries are already challenging the US-led World Order.