President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Russia to participate in the 16th BRICS Summit taking place from October 22 to 24.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya announced on Tuesday that Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin later in the day for discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation between Pretoria and Moscow.
“The meeting will provide an opportunity for President Ramaphosa to outline the priorities of the seventh administration, underscore the strategic significance of the Russian Federation to South Africa, and exchange views with President Putin on mutual interests,” Magwenya said.
In addition to his meeting with Putin, Ramaphosa will engage in several bilateral discussions with fellow leaders at the summit, focused on strengthening political and economic ties in line with South Africa’s foreign policy objectives.
On Wednesday, he will present South Africa’s country statement during the BRICS plenary session, addressing key themes of multilateralism and the global challenges of development and security.
Ramaphosa will deliver a second statement during the BRICS Summit Outreach/BRICS Plus session on Thursday, aimed at fostering cooperation under the theme “BRICS and Global South: Building a Better World Together.”
This summit marks a pivotal moment as it is the first gathering of BRICS leaders since the addition of new members at the Johannesburg II BRICS Summit in August 2023.
The expanded coalition, which includes Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, plays a vital role in promoting a multipolar world.
With its expanded membership, BRICS now represents 43 percent of the global population, 32 percent of the world’s land area, approximately 35 percent of global gross domestic product, and 20 percent of world exports.
During the summit in the Russian city of Kazan, leaders will reflect on the progress of BRICS cooperation, examine regional and global economic developments, and discuss potential reforms to global governance, further solidifying the coalition’s influence on the world stage.
JN/APA