JOHANNESBURG, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The South African government on Thursday opened media accreditation for the 2018 BRICS summit to be held in Johannesburg on July 25-27.

South Africa's Minister of Communications, Nomvula Mokonyane on Thursday invited the media to apply for accreditation to attend the summit. She stated that the country is making progress in ensuring that the country hosts a successful summit.

"The bloc offers a unique opportunity for BRICS countries to extend and advance their cooperation in ways that meaningfully promote their economic development agendas as well as that of other developing countries," said Makonyane.

South Africa assumed the role of chair of BRICS on January 1, 2018 and will remain in this position till December 31, 2018.

"The 2018 Summit will be a seminal milestone for BRICS cooperation, as it represents a decade of BRICS cooperation at the highest diplomatic level," Makonyane said.

"The BRICS approach is informed by the need to deepen, broaden and intensify relations within the grouping and among the individual countries for more sustainable, equitable and mutually beneficial development," she said.

"This approach takes into consideration each member's growth, development and poverty objectives to ensure relations are built on the respective country's economic strengths and to avoid competition where possible," she said, adding the summit will continue to enhance relations among BRICS countries.

Makonyane encouraged the media to ensure that they have the proper documents and vaccination certificates. Media accreditation for the event will close on June 22.