As the BRICS Annual summit kicks off, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that part of the country’s priorities is ensuring that new BRICS members are fully integrated. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates joined Brics as new full members which is a strong indication of the growing authority of the association and its role in international affairs. With its packed agenda and new initiatives, Russia's Brics Chairmanship has set the stage for a memorable and impactful summit in Kazan. Lerato Mbele speaks to Inga Koryagina, Associate Professor, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics.