Thailand eyes mutual benefits, economic opportunity through BRICS membership

Joining the BRICS group will bring mutual benefits, characterized by trade and economic opportunities, according to Thai Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

BRICS now comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, with the latter five becoming its members in January this year.

Thailand is bidding to become the latest member of the group.

Russia, the host this year, has invited Thailand to attend October's BRICS summit, something Thailand hopes will be a stepping stone to full membership.

"Any economic and political partnership can always bring mutual benefits, when we start from mutual understanding and knowing one another well. With BRICS, we would share interests in economics and trade opportunities, including digital economy, alternative energy, and of course in assisting one another to promote in the sustainability development," said Charnvirakul.

Charnvirakul also stressed Thailand's offering to the group, as it serves as a strategic gateway to the ASEAN market and a key player in the global food security.

"I would like to emphasize that Thailand has much to offer to the BRICS members. We are at a strategic location in the middle of Southeast Asia, making us a gateway to the ASEAN market with over 600 million people. As one of the main food producers, Thailand could be a great partner for food security, as we aim to be the kitchen of the world," said Charnvirakul.

Thailand can also explore its strength in tourism after joining the BRICS bloc, said Charnvirakul.

"We also have a lot to offer from our tourism industry. If you look at each country in BRICS, you might agree with me that they are all unique and quite exotic to visitors, so is Thailand. This is the area that we can be creative in exploring ways to enhance our strength. And in the big picture, I would say that Thailand could be a bridge that connects BRICS with the ASEAN region for unlimited economic opportunities. With China as one of BRICS key members, I am certain that our journey with BRICS beyond the summit will move forward smoothly," he explained.

The 16th BRICS Summit, the first to be held after the BRICS expansion, is scheduled for Tuesday to Thursday in Kazan, Russia.

Thailand eyes mutual benefits, economic opportunity through BRICS membership

Thailand eyes mutual benefits, economic opportunity through BRICS membership

Greenland and Antarctica together lost 11.3 trillion tons of ice between 1979 and 2023, pushing global sea levels up by over 3 cm, according to a study by researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden.

Drawing on data from 27 satellite missions, the research analyzes 42 independent surveys to map ice sheet losses comprehensively, including 23 surveys involving Greenland and 19 involving Antarctica.

The research found that the rate of ice loss from the two major ice sheets has accelerated markedly over the past few decades. Greenland was close to balance in the 1970s -- when ice gains and losses were equal -- but its annual ice loss increased from around 60 billion tons in the 1980s to 264 billion tons in the 2010s.

Researchers say the widespread melting of ice triggered by consistently above-average summer temperatures is a key factor behind the rising ice loss.

Antarctica showed a similar pattern, as annual losses climbed from around 48 billion tons in the 1980s to 202 billion tons in the 2010s, with the most remarkable loss recorded in West Antarctica.

The research findings were published in Scientific Data, an academic journal published by Nature Portfolio.

Greenland, Antarctica lose 11.3 trln tons of ice in over 40 years: research