The heads of diplomacy of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) began debating the creation of a new "multipolar" world order in Cape Town yesterday.

This Thursday, the ministers defended the new order at the start of a two-day meeting where they are also preparing for the summit of heads of state and government scheduled for August in South Africa.

During the opening of the meeting, the South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, indicated that BRICS must "contribute to the leadership of a world fractured by geopolitical tension, inequality and the deterioration of global security". The South African minister also defended the "inclusion of Africa and the world in a more just and equitable world based on mutual respect and equal sovereignty of nations".

South Africa currently chairs the BRICS group, and has indicated that at least 19 countries from Asia, Latin America and Europe have sent written requests to join the regional group, stressing that the expansion agenda includes the potential establishment of a common currency.

In this regard, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed that "the world is changing", pointing out that "the countries of Latin America, Asia and Africa are strengthening their positions and showing a willingness to maintain their national interests and play an equal role in global processes".

"The world order that was geared towards generating benefits for one country or a group of countries is a thing of the past," said the head of Russian diplomacy. The Russian minister denounced that "the West is engaging in blackmail and sanctions to influence the selection of economic models", guaranteeing that "the BRICS will play an increasingly important role in global affairs, especially since this union is a true example of multilateralism, inclusion and non-discrimination".

It should be noted that the meeting in Cape Town will also be attended by delegates from countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Kazakhstan, which have expressed their intention to join the group of the world's main emerging economies, according to the South African ambassador to BRICS, Anil Sooklal. Brazil, Russia, India and China created the BRIC group in 2006, joined by South Africa in 2010 in Johannesburg.