Top national security officials and senior diplomats from BRICS and developing countries are gathering in Johannesburg, South Africa for a three-day meeting to have in-depth exchange of views on hotspot issues including Russia-Ukraine conflict and other global security issues of common concern, which analysts said would serve as political preparations for the leaders' summit in August, and the wider issues covered by the mechanism also underscore the bigger role it plays in global governance.
The meeting, which is scheduled to last from Monday to Wednesday, is reportedly chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's national security advisor Sydney Mufamadi, and is part of a series of BRICS meetings taking place ahead of the BRICS Summit in South Africa from August 22 to 24. Aside from BRICS countries, delegates representing a record 45 countries will also join the dialogue, media reported.
Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, is scheduled to attend the 13th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security from July 24 to 25, according to a release from China's Foreign Ministry.
Senior national security officials from other BRICS and other countries, including Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali-Akbar Ahmadian, Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will reportedly attend the meeting in person, media reported.
Making preparations
Senior finance, diplomacy and security officials from BRICS member countries traditionally meet in advance to exchange views and hold detailed cooperation in preparation for the leaders' summit.
The Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security is an important platform for BRICS countries to carry out political and security cooperation. The three-day meeting will help BRICS countries coordinate stances on major global security issues, practice true multilateralism and promote global peace. It will also make preparations for the upcoming leaders' summit, Feng Xingke, secretary general of the World Financial Forum and director of the Center for BRICS and Global Governance, told the Global Times.
Topics covering traditional and non-traditional security threats, the Ukraine crisis, anti-terrorism and cyber security will be high on the summit's agenda, said Feng.
