The Brics Summit was a success that “heralded a new chapter” for the bloc of countries, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a national address on Sunday night.
Five Brics member countries attended the conference in Johannesburg along with representatives of 61 other countries last month. A total of 46 African countries were represented, including 20 heads of state and government.
“We were also honoured by the attendance of the United Nations Secretary-General Mr Antonio Guterres,” Ramaphosa said.
“It was a historic summit that heralded a new chapter for Brics. The success of the summit is a credit to our country and its people. It is another demonstration of our ability to host major international gatherings that have a significant impact on the conduct of international affairs far beyond our borders. Overall, many people have said that this was a most successful Brics Summit,” he said.
Ramaphosa highlighted key outcomes taken during the summit, including the call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations and its Security Council.
“This was a most significant decision in view of the fact that it was supported by two Brics members who are permanent members of the UN Security Council. The reform of the United Nations is important for South Africa and our continent Africa because we stand to benefit from a world that is more fair and from international institutions that are more democratic and more representative,” he said.
“In taking this position, the Brics leaders recognised the desire of many other countries to contribute to redefining the terms of international relations.”
Commenting on the second key outcome of the summit – to expand membership invitations to Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates – Ramaphosa said an expansion would help to “better align the voices of those countries that seek a fairer global governance, financial, investment and trading system based on clear rules that apply equally to all countries”.
“An expanded Brics also means that we will be able to export more of our products to major markets and, as a result, we will be able to produce more and create more jobs. While an expanded Brics will be an important champion for the Global South, South Africa stands to benefit from its relationship with these countries.”
Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s non-aligned international relations stance.
“South Africa’s participation in Brics and its support for the expansion of Brics does not detract from the good and strategic relations we have with many other countries around the world.
“From the advent of our democracy, we have always sought to develop ties of friendship, cooperation and respect with all nations. We have never aligned ourselves with any one global power or bloc of countries. Our non-aligned approach has enabled us to pursue an independent foreign policy and to forge our own developmental path,” he said.
“We have consistently advanced the articles of the United Nations Charter, including the principle that all members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means,” he added.
