On the first day of the summit, Vladimir Putin engaged in productive discussions with key leaders including President Dilma Rousseff of the New Development Bank, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, President Xi Jinping of China, and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt.
The heads of delegations also participated in a cultural evening, attending a concert and an informal dinner to foster camaraderie among the BRICS leaders. The 16th BRICS Summit, held in Kazan from October 22 to 24 under the Russian Chairmanship, is centered around the theme of Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security, highlighting the commitment to cooperation and sustainable growth among the member nations.
BRICS is the project of a century, the first multipolar project the world has ever seen — Swiss journalist
Meanwhile, Peter Hanseler, a representative from Voice from Russia, highlighted the non-hegemonic nature of BRICS in contrast to the current US-dominated system. He emphasized the inclusivity of BRICS, allowing smaller and medium-sized countries to join and have their interests considered. According to Hanseler, BRICS was established to enhance cooperation among Eastern nations, positioning itself as a counterbalance to the Western bloc. Furthermore, he underscored the importance of BRICS in creating a partnership structure that accommodates the diverse interests of its member countries.