South Africa will work with BRICS partners to advance the African agenda for economic growth, development and integration and to advocate for the Global South, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa, responding to a question on what strategic focus areas South Africa would advance during its tenure as chair of BRICS, said it would aim to unlock mutually beneficial opportunities to grow trade on the continent.
South Africa is chairing the BRICS group of countries in 2023 under the theme: “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism”. South Africa will host the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and China at the 15th BRICS Summit from August 22-24.
“As part of our strategic intent to further advance the African development agenda within the BRICS group, we are inviting several other African leaders to the summit. One of the priorities during our chairmanship is to build a partnership between BRICS and Africa to unlock mutually beneficial opportunities for increased trade, investment and infrastructure development,” Ramaphosa said.
“We are focusing, in particular, on opportunities that will generate economic growth on the continent, particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and infrastructure.”
The President told Members of Parliament that there were great opportunities for BRICS countries to participate in infrastructure development and the AfCFTA by locating production and services activities on the continent and partnering with local companies and entrepreneurs.
Responding to how South Africa will ensure the advancement of the South-South Agenda, President Ramaphosa said the country’s priorities were responsive to the needs and concerns of the broader Global South.
“Another strategic priority is strengthening multilateralism, including working toward real reform of global governance institutions and strengthening the meaningful participation of women in peace processes. Our priorities respond to challenges and opportunities that are shared by South Africa and other BRICS members. They are also responsive to the needs and concerns of the broader Global South,” he said.
Ramaphosa said a founding value of BRICS was the need to restructure the global political, economic and financial architecture to be more equitable, balanced and representative.
He said BRICS countries agreed that the United Nations must remain at the centre of multilateralism and be reformed to make it more effective, inclusive and representative of the global community.
“This includes reform of the UN Security Council to ensure African countries and other countries of the Global South are properly represented and that their interests are effectively advanced.”
BRICS brings together 3.2 billion people. After the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, BRICS is among the largest bloc of countries by total population. – SAnews.gov.za
