MOSCOW, October 1. /TASS/. BRICS unites half of the planet's population and could serve as a prototype for building a new world order, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated at the plenary session of the 23rd annual meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club.

"An organization like BRICS can undoubtedly serve as a prototype for building a future world order. We keep in mind that today it represents practically half of the globe’s population, and BRICS' share of the world economy is steadily growing. This happens every year, we see it - it is a matter of statistics. Most importantly, there are the principles behind the formation and functioning of BRICS: everyone is equal. There is no domination, and that is attractive," Putin said.

He noted that while it is difficult to determine exactly how the role of BRICS will evolve within the new architecture of international relations, it is already possible to say with confidence that it is a "useful mechanism."

Furthermore, Putin added that a proposal had been made within the framework of BRICS to create a new investment platform that would help not only to develop the economies of member states but also to operate effectively in other countries - nations with rapidly growing populations and developing economies that are striving to raise their people’s standard of living to global levels.