Cape Town – An extraordinary joint meeting of the BRICS group of nations is set to take place on Tuesday to discuss the situation in the Middle East, particularly the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

According to South African Government News Agency, the meeting will be convened by current BRICS chair, President Cyril Ramaphosa. Leaders from BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – will join the virtual meeting along with invited leaders from Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.

President Ramaphosa is scheduled to deliver the opening remarks at the meeting, where member states and invited countries will present their statements on the crisis in Gaza. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is also expected to participate.

The meeting aims to culminate in the adoption of a Joint Statement on the situation in the Middle East, with a particular focus on Gaza. This comes in the wake of the conflict that has resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people in Israel and 11,000 in Gaza since its inception on October 7.

President Ramaphosa, earlier on Monday through his weekly newsletter, reiterated South Africa’s stance on the conflict, emphasizing the nation’s support for justice and rights for the Palestinian people, the cessation of hostilities, and accountability for civilian casualties. He affirmed that peace is contingent upon the freedom of the Palestinian people.