JOINING BRICS could help Palestine gain broad international support, Mahmoud al-Habbash, an aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, told Sputnik.

At the BRICS summit, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said that Palestine is ready to join the BRICS work in any status, whether as a member, partner or observer.

The BRICS summit was held in Russia’s Kazan from 22-24 October, with the participation of heads of states, as well as representatives of several international organizations. BRICS is an intergovernmental association created in 2006. Russia assumed the rotating presidency of the bloc on 1 January 2024.

The year began with the accession of new members to the association. In addition to Russia, Brazil, India, China and South Africa, it now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, according to the website of the Russian 2024 BRICS Chairmanship. Media reports said that Saudi Arabia has not formalized its participation yet but has been taking part in BRICS meetings. — SPUTNIK