Impact of COVID-19 on the agenda of 13th BRICS summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the 13th BRICS Summit on 9th September 2021 in virtual format. Global leaders will be discussing the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has fared so far amongst other current global issues, a release from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said on Tuesday.

The theme for the Summit is ‘BRICS@15: Intra-BRICS cooperation for continuity, consolidation and consensus’. With regards to the theme set for the summit, the nations may discuss how COVID-19 can only be defeated if the countries come together, develop consensus and help each other in times of need. Whether it is in terms of vaccine exports or drug raw material supply, the whole interconnected health system makes it essential for the countries to work together to fight the pandemic.

India had outlined four priority areas for its chairship. These are Reform of the Multilateral System, Counter Terrorism, Using Digital and Technological Tools for achieving SDGs and Enhancing People to People exchanges.

The meeting will be attended by the President of Brazil, H.E. Mr. Jair Bolsonaro; President of Russia, H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin; President of China, H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping; and President of South Africa, H.E. Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa.