Foreign Secretary in Russia for BRICS summit

Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane will lead the Sri Lanka delegation to the BRICS Outreach/ BRICS Plus Summit to be held in Kazan, Russia from 22-24 October 2024.

BRICS, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa recently expanded its membership to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. Over the years BRICS has become an important platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries.

Sri Lanka has formally initiated the application process to join the BRICS and the New Development Bank. The President of Sri Lanka has written to his Russian counterpart conveying Sri Lanka’s interest in BRICS Membership, while Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has written to his counterparts in BRICS member countries seeking their support.

During the visit Foreign Secretary Wijewardane will address the upcoming Leaders’ Summit on behalf of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. She will also meet senior representatives from BRICS member countries to discuss Sri Lanka’s application to join BRICS as well as other issues of bilateral interest.  

Foreign Secretary Wijewardane was met on arrival in Kazan on 21 October by Mr. Farid Khayullovich Mukhametshin, Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan, Mr. Denis Kalinkin, First Deputy Mayor of the City of Kazan, Ms. Lenara Muzafarova, Director of the Multifunctional Center of the Republic of Tatarstan and protocol officials from the Foreign Ministry of Russia. She is accompanied by the Chargé d’affaires Ambassador P. M. Amza, and Director General, Economic Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, K. K. Yoganaadan.