President Cyril Ramaphosa will travel to India this weekend to participate in the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Ramaphosa will attend the summit at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the gathering scheduled for 12 and 13 September under India’s chairship.
This year’s theme is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Security”.
The summit will focus on strengthening cooperation among BRICS members, with discussions expected to cover trade and investment, financial and institutional cooperation, development, and reform of global governance institutions.
The expanded BRICS grouping includes Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Partner states and invited countries are also expected to participate.
The Presidency says leaders will discuss strengthening unity among the expanded membership and advancing the interests of the Global South amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
These include conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as growing competition among major powers, which the Presidency says continue to undermine economic development and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
South Africa’s economic priorities
South Africa will use the summit to advance its diplomatic and economic priorities, particularly efforts to increase intra-BRICS trade and investment.
The country will also push for greater industrialisation and value addition, as well as investment in African infrastructure aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Ramaphosa is also expected to participate in the BRICS Business Forum Leaders’ Dialogue, bringing together political leaders and business representatives.
The discussions will cover trade and supply chains, agriculture, women-led development, the digital economy and innovation.
South Africa’s chapters of the BRICS Business Council and BRICS Women’s Business Alliance will participate in the forum as the country seeks to deepen commercial ties and attract investment.
Global governance
BRICS leaders will also hold a session on “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism”.
An additional session involving invited leaders will focus on “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth”.
The summit is expected to conclude with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration.
Ramaphosa will be accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Zuko Godlimpi.
The BRICS Summit comes as South Africa continues to position itself as a key voice for the Global South and advocate for greater representation of developing countries in international institutions.
