By Neo Bodumela
Kazan, Russia: The BRICS Engagement and BRICS Plus platforms are an opportunity for countries to forge greater and deeper ties for development.
This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was delivering South Africa’s country statement during the BRICS/Plus Countries First Session in Kazan, Russia.
The leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates are meeting for the first time since new members were invited to join BRICS during the Johannesburg BRICS Summit of 23 August 2023.
Together, the powerful bloc holds around 35% of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 20% of world exports.
“The BRICS Outreach and BRICS Plus engagements are important platforms for developing strong ties among countries from the greater Global South and emerging markets.
“We should use these platforms to foster meaningful engagement. We should use the BRICS platform to contribute to social, economic and cultural development of our peoples,” President Ramaphosa said.
READ | BRICS partnership is a catalyst for global growth
The President welcomed initiatives by Russia aimed at developing other BRICS nations.
“We welcome the Russian initiatives that are aimed at strengthening a number of BRICS countries through the various networks aimed at improving the future of BRICS countries’ transport networks and connectivity under the theme, ‘Innovation and Digitalisation of Transport’.
“This will help us find ways to integrate and deepen our interconnectedness in new and imaginative ways,” he said.
The President noted that work has already begun in this regard through the International North-South Transport Corridor -- a multimodal transportation corridor established from St Petersburg in Russia to Mumbai, India.
“This corridor is an opportunity for this region to unlock new trade flows and trade routes in an increasingly multipolar world.
“On the African continent, the African Continental Free Trade Area will unlock opportunities for trade and investment for local and global businesses. It will create a number of opportunities that will lead to an integrated and connected continent,” President Ramaphosa said.
He encouraged BRICS countries and friends of BRICS to “use these projects to further connect the greater Global South”.
WATCH I BRICS Summit Outreach/ BRICS+ First Session
International conflicts
The President called for the resolution of conflicts that are escalating not only in the Middle East but also on the African continent.
“We must find lasting solutions to all these conflicts.
“We must remain committed to the peaceful resolution of all disputes through negotiation and inclusive dialogue. We must safeguard the ability of States to pursue independent foreign policy.
“We must safeguard the multilateral system because it is the cornerstone of international relations, and foster an environment of peace and development,” he said.
He emphasised that conflicts cannot be allowed to “continue in perpetuity”.
“We need to find paths to peace. In our quest for a more interconnected, just and prosperous world, we have the ability to foster an environment of peace through a focus on sustainable development.
“We must continue to support nations and peoples, who seek to end the cycle of conflict and choose the path of peace,” President Ramaphosa said. - SAnews.gov.za
