Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the BRICS could establish their own institutionalised parliamentary structure in the future. He was attending the 10th parliamentary forum of the bloc in St Petersburg, Russia, yesterday. 

Mr. Putin said, events such as the group’s parliamentary forum strengthen the influence of BRICS on global affairs and help make the world safer and more harmonious. He stated that, by acting together, the recently expanded group would be able to unlock its potential in economic, investment, and technology cooperation.

Putin further said that, the group’s priorities include the achievement of positive changes in the world economy through the development of reliable financial instruments for settling payments within BRICS. Noting that the number of participants had increased this year, he said Russia, as the current chair of the group, would ramp up efforts to ensure that the four new members of the bloc were effectively integrated following their accession earlier this year.

BRICS was founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2011. The group expanded this year when Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates became full members.