On the sidelines of the WTO meeting, ministers of the BRICS countries have met for a working lunch. The ministers of Brazil, Russia, China, India and South Africa discussed strengthening multilateral trade and fighting protectionism.

This is the first BRICS ministerial meeting at the WTO conference. The trade ministers from Brazil, Russia, China, India and South Africa stated the WTO’s central role in multilateral trade disputes.

Chen Deming, Chinese Minster of Commerce, said, "We attach great importance to the role of the WTO in keeping protectionist forces at bay. Under the present global economic conditions, international trade plays an even more critical role in stimulating economic growth and development."

Chen Deming also stated that as the emerging markets, the BRICS should strengthen cooperation to jointly oppose protectionism in all its forms and vigorously promote the Doha round of trade talks.

The ministers also stress that with the accession of Russia, the BRICS would form an important pressure group to get a fair deal for developing countries.

The BRICS countries cover nearly 30 percent of the world’s area. They are home to 40 percent of the planet’s population, and accounted for close to 18 percent of the world’s total GDP in 2010.