South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Kazan, Russian Federation, for the XVI BRICS Summit, which runs from October 22-24.
The summit, themed “Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security,” commences with President Ramaphosa’s bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday afternoon.
South Africa’s participation in this high-level gathering comes at a crucial time for the BRICS alliance, which has recently expanded its membership to include several new nations. The three-day summit is expected to address key global challenges, economic cooperation, and security matters among member states.
BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has emerged as a significant force in global economic governance.
The alliance expanded significantly in January 2024, welcoming new members Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, bringing its total membership to eleven nations.
These member states collectively represent over 40% of the world’s population and account for approximately one-third of global GDP. The expansion has strengthened BRICS’ position as a counterbalance to traditional Western-dominated international institutions.
The three-day summit in Kazan is expected to focus on enhancing economic cooperation, promoting trade in local currencies, and addressing global development challenges.
Key agenda items likely include discussions on reforming multilateral institutions, strengthening South-South cooperation, and promoting sustainable development among member states.
This gathering marks Russia’s first chairmanship of BRICS since its expansion, with the host nation emphasizing the importance of multilateral cooperation in an increasingly multipolar world order.
The summit also provides a platform for member states to discuss pressing global issues, including international trade, technological cooperation, and sustainable development initiatives that could benefit the Global South.
