(MENAFN) Russia has officially welcomed Uganda as a BRICS partner country, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Wednesday during talks in Moscow with Ugandan Foreign Minister Jeje Odongo. Lavrov expressed enthusiasm for closer collaboration with Uganda under the BRICS framework, saying, “We welcome Uganda as a BRICS partner country and look forward to active cooperation with our Ugandan friends in this new format.”

BRICS, originally founded in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, saw South Africa join in 2011. In 2024, the group expanded full membership to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and later Indonesia. Uganda and Nigeria were added as BRICS partner states in January 2025, along with seven other non-African countries.

The two ministers covered a wide array of bilateral cooperation topics, focusing particularly on trade, investment, energy, agriculture, science, technology, and healthcare. They also reaffirmed their commitment to deepening political dialogue based on international law and the principles of the UN Charter.

During the meeting, Odongo requested Russia’s assistance in securing land or property in Moscow to establish a permanent diplomatic chancery.

Uganda’s delegation was led by Vice President Jessica Alupo, who also held discussions with Valentina Matviyenko, Chairperson of the Russian Federation Council. Matviyenko described Uganda as one of Russia’s key African partners, highlighting the shared dedication to fostering mutually beneficial cooperation across various sectors.

Alupo acknowledged Russia’s longstanding friendship with African nations, rooted in mutual respect, trust, and solidarity, which played a significant role in the liberation of African countries.

Earlier on Tuesday, Vice President Alupo met with Russia’s special presidential envoy for the Middle East and Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov, to discuss expanding bilateral ties ahead of the upcoming Intergovernmental Russian-Ugandan Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation session. Alupo had also visited Russia in September for the 2024 Eurasian Women’s Forum in St. Petersburg.

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