President Cyril Ramaphosa is attending the XVII BRICS Summit from 6 to 7 July 2025 during which his country looks to be representing Africa’s common interest at the Rio gathering.
BRICS is a political and diplomatic coordination forum for countries from the Global South whose theme is “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”.
Ramaphosa will emphasise the mantra of concrete cooperation that contributes both directly and indirectly to the priorities of a better South Africa, a better Africa, and a better world through its partnership in BRICS.
The Summit agenda will remind of the positive role that BRICS can play in shaping a more fair and just multipolar world order and demonstrating global leadership in global health, climate change and AI governance.
The objectives for the XVII BRICS Summit include: highlighting the ongoing humanitarian impact of Israeli military action in Gaza and in conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine and Iran; and advocating for the sustainable resolution of conflicts through diplomacy, inclusive dialogue and a commitment to the United Nations Charter.
The Summit will also explore ways of expanding tangible trade, tourism, investment and financial cooperation within BRICS and with BRICS partner countries.
For South Africa, these deliberations will enhance her efforts to further diversify trade and enhance resilience, growth and development, said a statement from the presidency on Sunday.
The Summit will look into synergies between BRICS, COP30 and G20 outcomes, including in global governance of artificial intelligence and prioritising climate finance that is just, accessible and transformational.
BRICS leaders will continue advocating for the reform of global governance systems to be more inclusive and representative of contemporary realities.
This includes the goal of countries of the South for more meaningful participation of the global South in global decision-making processes and structures, including in the United Nations Security Council.
The specific objectives of South Africa’s engagement in BRICS are to enhance the future growth and development of South Africa through its BRICS membership, to strengthen intra-BRICS relations and develop mutually beneficial cooperation across the three pillars of cooperation, political and security, financial and economic, and cultural and people-to-people cooperation.
It is also meant to shape global governance reform to be more equitable, balanced and representative.
During the Summit session leaders are deliberating on the following, global governance reform and peace and security, including a report by National Security Advisors.
Heads of State and Government will discuss a BRICS Leaders Statement on Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence.
This will be followed by the adoption of a BRICS Leaders Framework Declaration on Climate Finance and the launch of the BRICS Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases.
The Summit will close with the adoption of the Rio de Janeiro Declaration.
It is being attended by leaders of the BRICS member states: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia.
Member states participate in all BRICS meetings while partner states participate principally in Summits. Partner states may be invited to other meetings of the association if members agree on this.
Leaders of BRICS partner countries are from Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan.
The Rio Summit is also being attended by leaders of outreach countries, which in the BRICS system are countries from the region where the rotational presidency is located.
In this context, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Uruguay have also been invited by the government of Brazil to participate in the Rio gathering.
The United Nations, the African Union and international organisations are also represented.
Leaders of all BRICS members are confirmed for the Rio Summit with President Putin participating virtually and China represented by Premier Li Qiang.
WN/as/APA