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By Cyril Okonkwo | Last updated Aug 21, 2023

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, is set to depart Abuja for Johannesburg, South Africa, on Monday. He will be representing President Bola Tinubu at the 15th BRICS Summit of Heads of State and Government.

According to a release from the Office of the Vice President’s Director of Information, Olusola Abiola, Vice President Shettima will be joining business and political leaders from around the world at the Summit. The event is scheduled to take place from August 22 to 24 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Among the notable leaders expected to attend the summit are South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Lula da Silva, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as stated by Abiola.

Various other dignitaries, including the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the chairperson of the African Union Commission, and the President of the New Development Bank, have also been extended invitations.

The BRICS Summit will delve into discussions on important topics such as trade and investment facilitation, sustainable development, innovation, and global governance reform. It will also continue its outreach efforts towards leaders from Africa and other nations around the world, with a focus on global geopolitics, trade, and infrastructure development.

BRICS, which stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, represents a significant group of emerging and developing economies. The collective population of the BRICS countries constitutes over 42% of the world’s population, while their combined territory accounts for 30% of the world’s landmass. Moreover, these nations contribute to 23% of the global economy and 18% of global trade. One of the group’s founding values is a shared commitment to restructuring the global political, economic, and financial landscape to ensure fairness, balance, and representation, all built upon the pillars of multilateralism and international law.

Accompanying the Vice President on this trip are senior government officials. His return to Nigeria is anticipated by the end of the week.

*PIAK*