South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13 at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the presidency said.
The summit, hosted under India’s chairship, will be held under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Security.”
Leaders will discuss strengthening cooperation among the expanded BRICS membership, with a focus on people-centred development, trade and investment, financial and institutional cooperation, and reform of the United Nations and international financial institutions.
The discussions will take place amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, including conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as growing competition among major powers that continues to affect global economic development and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
South Africa is expected to use the summit to advance its economic and diplomatic priorities, including expanding intra-BRICS trade and investment, promoting industrialisation and value addition, and mobilising investment in African infrastructure aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Ramaphosa will also participate in the BRICS Business Forum Leaders’ Dialogue, which will bring together political and business leaders to discuss trade and supply chains, agriculture, women-led development, the digital economy and innovation.
The summit will include sessions on “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism” and “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth.”
BRICS comprises Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Partner states and invited countries are also expected to participate in the New Delhi meetings.
The summit will conclude with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration.
Ramaphosa will be accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Zuko Godlimpi.
