The BRICS member states have decided to invite Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE to join the organization, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday.
“We have decided to invite Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE to become full members of BRICS,” Ramaphosa said in a speech at the BRICS summit.
The membership of these countries will become official on January 1, 2024, the South African leader explained.
The first ship with 25 thousand tons of Ukrainian grain has arrived to Ethiopia within the humanitarian program “Grain from Ukraine” of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyi, the press service of the President said.
“The first ship in the framework of the Ukrainian humanitarian program “Grain from Ukraine” on December 3 arrived in Ethiopia, delivering 25 thousand tons of Ukrainian wheat to the port of Dorale,” – said in the message.
Zelensky announced this program on November 15 during the G20 summit.
The second vessel, the loading of which is completing in the Ukrainian port of Chernomorsk, will go to Ethiopia next week with 30 thousand tons of wheat on board.
The third vessel will deliver 25 thousand tons of humanitarian wheat to Somalia (loading in Odessa port).
“In total, in the framework of the humanitarian initiative “Grain from Ukraine” our state plans to send more than 60 ships to Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Congo, Kenya, Yemen, etc.,” – said in the message.
It is noted that more than $180 mln was attracted for implementation of this program.
