Global ties/Thailand bid for BRICS membership

Editorial staff

Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa recently attended “BRICS Dialogue with Developing Countries” during “BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations Meeting” upon the invitation of Sergey Lavrov, minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.

Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa

The dialogue was attended by 22 ministers and representatives from BRICS member and developing countries. The discussion focused on how BRICS, which was the grouping of developing countries and emerging economies. The meeting also agreed to promote the role of developing countries, particularly in strengthening multilateralism, making the international economic system fairer and supportive to the development of developing countries, and in promoting sustainable development and global security.

This dialogue is the 5th BRICS high-level meeting that Thailand’s representatives attended. In his statement, the minister underscored Thailand’s readiness to join BRICS as a full member. As bridge-builder between different groups of countries, Thailand could enhance the inclusiveness and interconnectedness of BRICS and render BRICS more impactful in promoting the interest of developing countries.

He also made concrete proposals to enhance cooperation between BRICS and developing countries in the areas of energy and food security, the use of local currencies, and the international development cooperation.

He also had bilateral meetings with the Foreign Minister and high-level representative of the original BRICS members namely Brazil; Russia; India; China; and South Africa, as well as new BRICS members, including the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and the invited member, Saudi Arabia.

They discussed bilateral relations and Thailand’s intention in joining BRICS as a full member.
Each BRICS member state welcomed Thailand’s decision and believed that Thailand could contribute to the success of BRICS. The minister also presented the letter expressing Thailand’s intention to become a BRICS full member to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who chaired BRICS this year.