IP - The much-vaunted 15th Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) Summit kicked off at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

Iran PressAfrica: The Summit is held under the theme: “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism” and is expected to last until Thursday.

The Summit brings together Heads of State and Government from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, with at least 30 other Heads of State and Governments senior officials from Africa and all across the world expected to attend.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will depart Tehran for Johannesburg on Wednesday to attend the BRICS meeting in response to an official invitation by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

South Africa will host the leaders of Brazil, India, and China for the Tuesday-to-Thursday summit, while Russian President Vladimir Putin will join virtually.

Leaders will consider expanding membership of the BRICS grouping, as some members hope to position the bloc as a counterweight to the West.

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