Members of the Brics group, which includes China, Russia, and India, are convening in South Africa for a summit.
The union, which now has five members, is debating whether to expand to include nations such as Iran and Argentina
Brics participants see it as a counterweight to what they regard as Western dominance of global institutions.
The Brics group of nations is sometimes viewed as a pointless talking shop. However, this could be changing.
More than 20 new countries have wanted to join what is quickly becoming a focal point of dissatisfaction with the Western world.
Officials in South Africa are relieved that Russia’s Vladimir Putin, who is wanted on an international warrant for suspected war crimes in Ukraine, has decided to remain at home.
There will be much discussion here about establishing a new international order and revamping the United Nations.
And there is widespread support for this, not least in Africa.
