The leaders of the BRICS nations are holding a summit in South Africa focused on trade discussions and potential expansion of the group's membership.

The five emerging economies -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- began the three-day event on Tuesday in South Africa's largest city of Johannesburg.

Their leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will deliver a speech at a business forum on the first day of the meeting.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is not attending the summit in person as the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for him in connection with his country's invasion of Ukraine. Putin will join the event online.

The BRICS nations collectively encompass about 40 percent of the world's population and contribute to around a quarter of the global GDP.

China and Russia are seeking to strengthen the BRICS framework as a counterweight to the Western countries. More than 20 nations are reportedly hoping to join the group.

At the summit, the leaders are expected to discuss the promotion of trade using their own currencies, reducing dependence on the US dollar, and also address potential expansion of the BRICS bloc.