Pezeshkian: BRICS is important capacity for confronting unilateralism, developing economic cooperation

On Friday, before departing for India to participate in the 18th Summit of the Heads of State of the BRICS member countries, considered this summit an important opportunity for expanding economic, commercial, industrial, and scientific cooperation among member countries, as well as strengthening the approach of multilateralism in the international system.

The President, referring to the position of BRICS in global equations, stated: "This group currently has 21 members, with 11 countries being the main members and 10 other countries being new members of this group, known as 'BRICS Plus.'"

Pezeshkian added: "The BRICS member countries collectively encompass more than 45 percent of the world's population and about 35 percent of the world's lands, and possess significant capacity in various fields."

The President, stating that one of the main goals of BRICS is to confront unilateralism, said: "The effort is for countries to be able to develop their economic and commercial relations and activities while maintaining their independence."

The President continued: "This year's BRICS summit slogan is centered on solidarity, sustainability, resistance, and innovation, and within this approach, cooperation and exchanges among member countries in economic, financial, industrial, scientific, and commercial fields are to be further developed."

Pezeshkian also referred to the financial capacities of BRICS and said: "In the monetary and financial field, the BRICS Bank has been established so that investments and joint activities of member countries can be facilitated through this mechanism."

The President, emphasizing the importance of reducing dependence on the dollar in economic exchanges among BRICS member countries, stated: "This group's effort is for countries to be able to provide the ground for economic and regional development without dependence on the dollar, and to stand against unilateralism and the excesses of great powers."

He considered the 18th BRICS Summit a suitable opportunity for dialogue with the large and influential member countries of this group, and added: "The presence of countries such as China, Russia, Brazil, India, and other countries of the region in this summit provides a suitable capacity for developing cooperation and bilateral and multilateral consultations."

Pezeshkian, regarding Iran-India relations, also said: "The relations between the two countries have a very long history, and Iran and India possess a shared cultural background and abundant capacities for developing cooperation."

He stated: "We can develop Iran-India cooperation in cultural, economic, and social fields more than before, and use the opportunity of attending this summit for dialogue and consultation with officials of various countries, both within the framework of general sessions and in bilateral meetings."

The President, in response to the question of how much BRICS can play a role in confronting unilateralism and the system of domination, said: "Fundamentally, one of the goals of forming BRICS has been to confront unilateralism, and this year's slogan of this group has also been chosen in this direction."

He added: "Of course, the global economy possesses many complexities, and the domination that some powers have created over global relations in recent years requires new plans and approaches to confront."

Pezeshkian noted: "Based on this approach, innovation and the development of cooperation among member countries can help strengthen BRICS and reduce unilateralism in the international system."

In conclusion, the President expressed hope that the presence of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the 18th BRICS Summit will bring favorable achievements for the country.