Shettima to Represent Tinubu as 18th Summit Opens in India
BRICS member states and partner countries have begun arriving in New Delhi, India, ahead of the group’s 18th Summit scheduled for September 12 and 13, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam.
The summit brings together the 11 BRICS members: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi early Friday, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is expected later in the day. Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to arrive on Saturday, marking his first visit to India in almost seven years.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo have also arrived in the Indian capital.
Vice President Kashim Shettima will represent President Bola Tinubu at the summit, where leaders are expected to discuss global economic and geopolitical issues.
The UAE will be represented by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, while Brazil’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mauro Vieira, will represent the country.
Other expected participants include UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, New Development Bank President Dilma Rousseff, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
Also expected are WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Held under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability,” the summit will focus on global governance, multilateralism, economic growth, innovation and sustainable development.
The programme includes a closed-door session on inclusive global governance and strengthening multilateralism, an exhibition tour, a joint tree-planting ceremony and a gala dinner hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.