“Undoubtedly, the Brics have become the global political epicenter in the new world, as part of which there is a united Palestine’, said the Bolivarian leader in the bilateral meeting with his Palestinian counterpart.

In turn, Mahmud Abbas referred to Maduro as ‘my great friend’, and pointed out that Venezuela defends the Palestinian cause with a spirit of solidarity.

In meeting Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan, Maduro voiced his willingness to strengthening political, economic and commercial ties.

Over 20 000 representatives from 36 countries and six international organizations are attending the event in the Russian city of Kazan.

Eight leaders of the 10 member countries of the group have travelled here. Brazilian President, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, and the Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohamed bin Salman, will address the meeting online.

On January 1, Moscow assumed the rotating presidency of the group for 2024, a year that began with the entry of new members.

The Brics, initially made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, was expanded last January with the entry of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Iran.

The bloc now represents almost half of the world’s population, 40 percent of global oil production and about 25 percent of goods exports.

ied/abo/mem/hoo