New Delhi, September 13 (Daily Kiran) : South African President Cyril Ramaphosa hailed the success of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit held recently, noting that the group represents nearly half of the world’s population and accounts for about 25% of global GDP. He emphasized that the unique aspect of BRICS is its commitment to mutual welfare and shared development, without any member nation seeking dominance over others.
Ramaphosa expressed pride in South Africa’s membership in BRICS, highlighting how the platform supports the country’s national interests across various sectors, including investment, trade, science and technology, education, and health. He stressed that BRICS is not merely an economic cooperation organization but a robust global platform for development and partnership.
The President urged that collaboration among BRICS nations should extend beyond trade and investment. He called for increased partnerships in scientific research, technological advancement, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence (AI). Ramaphosa expressed optimism about the potential of AI to drive economic and social development, while also cautioning about the associated risks. He underscored the importance of implementing necessary controls and responsible frameworks in the development and use of AI.
He stated, “AI can be a major driver of economic growth, but we cannot overlook its potential dangers.”
Ramaphosa pointed out the current geopolitical tensions and various conflicts the world is facing. In this context, he stressed the importance of reaffirming support for multilateralism and a multipolar world among BRICS nations.
He reiterated that the collective vision of BRICS is to ensure that no single country or power dominates the global order. Instead, all nations should be afforded equal respect for their sovereignty and development.
“The beauty of BRICS lies in its diversity,” he noted, highlighting the array of countries from different continents, cultures, languages, and histories. This diversity, he believes, is a significant strength of the group.
During the summit, which was chaired by India, Ramaphosa acknowledged the participation of key global institutions such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization (WTO), and World Health Organization (WHO), enhancing the summit’s relevance and impact.
He pointed out that the summit’s declaration encompasses a wide range of topics, with a crucial focus on strengthening global governance and advancing multilateral cooperation.
Ramaphosa conveyed a clear message from BRICS nations: global peace, economic growth, and prosperity can only be achieved if all countries respect each other’s sovereignty and work towards collective development goals.
In an address to the India-South Africa Business Leaders Roundtable, President Ramaphosa praised the capabilities of the Indian business community. He noted that Indian enterprises have achieved remarkable success globally across various sectors and that many Indian companies maintain a strong presence in international markets.
He highlighted discussions with Indian entrepreneurs regarding cooperation in energy transition, critical minerals, infrastructure, agriculture, the digital economy, and human resource development, identifying vast opportunities for collaboration.
Ramaphosa urged both nations’ industries to move beyond mere discussions and take concrete, actionable steps to promote trade and investment.
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