South Africa: BRICS Summit concludes with expanded membership
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday announced that the BRICS bloc had reached a consensus on its expansion process.
“We have decided to invite the Argentine Republic, The Arab Republic of Egypt, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to become full members of BRICS,” said Ramaphosa who was chairman of the BRICS Summit in Sandton.
This expanded membership will be effective from 1 January 2024.
Russian President Vladimir Putin who addressed the summit via a video link, hailed Ramaphosa’s “diplomatic skills” in expanding the group.
“President Ramaphosa demonstrated exceptional diplomatic skills as we deliberated on various matters, including the BRICS expansion,” Putin said.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed expressed gratitude for the invitation to join the bloc and reiterated its commitment to enhance multi-laterism. He said his country's role in BRICS would serve as a crucial gateway between Africa, the Middle East and wider Asia.
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres who addressed delegates, labelled South Africa as an inspiring rainbow nation.
He said the African continent was under-represented in the global financial sector “and we must represent economic relations of today, and not of 1945”.
The XV BRICS Summit culminated in the unveiling of the Johannesburg II Declaration, a comprehensive document that underscores the commitment of its members – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – to foster mutual growth, sustainable development, and inclusive multilateralism.
The summit revolved around the theme: “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism.”
-0- PANA CU/RA 24Aug2023
