PARLIAMENT's presiding officers congratulated President Cyril Ramaphosa, the chairman of BRICS, and his counterparts for the success of the 15th BRICS Summit held in Sandton, Joburg last week.
Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and chairman Amos Masondo commended Ramaphosa for guiding the summit discussions towards fostering collaboration, addressing global challenges, and laying the foundation for a more equitable world order.
"The 15th BRICS Summit outcomes encapsulate a robust spirit of international collaboration, underscoring multilateralism, peaceful conflict resolution, and the pursuit of sustainable development," said Mapisa-Nqakula.
She said the summit's commitment to addressing economic inequality, fostering growth, and exploring innovative financial solutions promises to bolster not only the BRICS nations, but also resonate as a source of progress and stability for Africa and the world.
Mapisa-Nqakula said by advocating for global financial reform, encouraging people-to-people exchanges, and championing the needs of the Global South, the summit held from 22 to 24 August, sets a precedent for equitable development, cultural understanding, and inclusive cooperation that stands to uplift economies, strengthen partnerships, and create a more harmonious global landscape.
"We commend the collective decision to expand the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) family by welcoming new member states, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates.
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"This expansion signifies BRICS' dedication to inclusivity, diverse perspectives, and shared development. The benefits of this expansion ripple not only across Africa but resonate globally, particularly for developing nations, emerging markets, and the advancement of multipolarism," said Mapisa-Nqakula.
Masondo emphasised that expanding BRICS represents a strategic step towards promoting cooperative development, innovation, and enhancing economic ties.
"The inclusion of new member states brings fresh opportunities for harnessing collective strengths to tackle economic disparities, foster sustainable growth, and amplify the voices of developing countries on the global stage," he said.
Both presiding officers were eagerly anticipating the upcoming 9th BRICS Parliamentary Forum (BRICS PF) Assembly, scheduled from September 27 to 29, 2023, at Emperor's Palace in Gauteng.
"We are pleased to announce that, in light of the expanded BRICS family, the invitation to participate in the BRICS Parliamentary Forum Assembly will also be extended to the parliaments of the newly admitted member states," added Mapisa-Nqakula.
