TEHRAN – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the country is ready to enhance ties with the world’s emerging economies.

With a population of about 80 million people, unique energy resources, as well as mineral deposits, Iran is a special hub for economic cooperation in the region, he added.

Rouhani made the remarks in a speech delivered to the 7th BRICS summit, which was held in the Russian city of Ufa on July 8-9.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to diversify its economic relations and have a stronger presence in the international arena, he said.

Iran provides a distinctive opportunity for foreign investment with its expanded road and rail networks and its equipped ports and airports, as well as the North-South Transport Corridor, which connects Central Asia to the Sea of Oman, he noted.

The BRICS - or Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, are the world’s emerging economies.

While the concept “BRICS” was first created to refer to the investment opportunities of the rising emerging economies, the leaders’ meetings transcend the financial context to embrace a wide range of summit-level issues relating to global governance, such as development, peace and security, energy and climate change, and social issues.

BRICS countries have increased their share of global gross domestic products (GDP) threefold in the past 15 years.

In purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, it is about 30 percent of world's GDP at the moment. By 2020, it will be about 38 percent, and it will be increased to as much as 45 percent by about 2030.

BRICS countries occupy 30 percent of the global territory. They are home to 45 percent of the world's population.

BRICS account for 17 percent of world trade. Its combined foreign reserves are estimated at $4 trillion.