South Africa strives for a more just and mutually-beneficial world order, and mutual growth in the global arena, as part of its BRICS chairmanship, Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor said in her opening remarks of the BRICS ministerial meeting.
The minister recalled that South Africa chairs the BRICS for the third time since it joined the group in 2010. She stated that the nation regards this international platform with "great admiration and support."
According to Pandor, South Africa views the BRICS partnership's role in provision of global leadership in a world fractured by competition, geopolitical tensions, inequality and deteriorating global security.
"Our vision of BRICS is to drive inclusion of Africa and the Global South in a more fair, just and equitable world based on mutual respect and equal sovereignty of nations," the minister said.
She added that BRICS is a catalyst for sustainable global growth and development that will respond to the needs and demands of "the whole world and not just a privileged few."
"We move forward with the continent and the Global South, and no one must be left behind," she stressed.
Pandor elaborated that Thursday's discussions will revolve around opportunities to strengthen and transform global governing systems, as well as bring "fairness" to the global financial system to provide for "less poverty and inequality" in the world.
She also added that the ministers are expected to explore synergies between BRICS and the G20 in a multipolar world, and discuss possible solutions to ensure sustainable global economic recovery.
Deepening Mutually-Beneficial South-South Cooperation
The South African foreign minister's opening remarks were followed by the speech of her Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira. Hailing the cooperation within the BRICS group, the foreign minister of the Latin American nation stated that his country is going to deepen its relationship with African countries, as well as other members of the developing world.
"We are working to deepen our dialogue and cooperation with African countries which have enormous potential for trade and investment, and with whom we share historical and cultural ties. The same applies to Asian and Middle Eastern nations," he said.
Vieira explained that Brazil is resuming the South-South dimension of its foreign policy, noting that one of the country's main goals in the political sphere is "to reinforce partnerships with friends from the Global South."
He also reiterated Brazil's engagement with BRICS, which is an "indispensable mechanism" for building a multipolar world order that reflects the voices and needs of developing countries. He added that the nation is looking forward to the so-called Friends of the BRICS meeting, which will be held on Friday with expanded membership.
BRICS' Role in Acceleration of Multipolarity
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov echoed the statements of his counterpart, saying the world is rapidly evolving, and the countries of the Global South, namely from Africa, Asia and Latin America are ready to take their place in the new world order. At the beginning of his speech, he even noted that he would deliver his statement in Russian "to emphasize multipolarity."
"The formation of a more just, polycentric world order is accelerating, while the unipolar world is becoming a relic of the past," the minister stressed.
He recalled that Western countries threatening sanctions and blackmail are trying to influence the choice of economic model and trading partners of sovereign states, and thus limit their opportunities. He also pointed at the persisting attempts made by the West to ideologize international discussions and multilateral institutions, and therefore undermine their work.
Against the backdrop of the West's actions, Lavrov stressed, BRICS countries should seek joint responses to existing challenges. He mainly referred to such issues as "attempts to undermine the foundations of collective, equal and indivisible security, regional conflicts, international terrorism, transnational crime."
"I am convinced that in the current conditions, the role of BRICS in solving the most glaring global problems should only increase, especially since our association remains an example of true multilateralism," the minister said.
The representative of China also preferred to give a speech in his native language. Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu emphasized the role BRICS could play in the formation of the new multipolar order.
According to the deputy minister, member states are following the path of multipolarity and democratization of international relations, working to ensure that the voting rights of developing countries are growing.
Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, for his part, stated that the current global situation, which he dubbed as "challenging," demands a collective approach.
"The global environment today demands that we, the BRICS nations, approach key contemporary issues seriously, constructively and collectively," he said, adding: "It is imperative that the BRICS members demonstrate sincerity in regard to reforming global decision-making, including the UN Security Council."
Talking about the challenges the world currently faces, he in particular pointed at the unfair global economic system, with a handful of nations thriving at the expense of the many. Jaishankar emphasized that India undertook the voice of the Global South to place these issues before the G20 nations, urging BRICS to "give it a particular consideration."
"At the heart of the economic problems we face is the economic concentration that leaves too many nations at the mercy of too few," Jaishankar said.
According to the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, during the meeting in Cape Town, the parties will discuss topical issues of the international agenda, their member states' interaction at leading multilateral platforms, as well as exchange views on the prospects for the development of the BRICS strategic partnership, including the institutional development of the association.
It was noted that particular attention is planned to be paid to preparations for the forthcoming 15th summit of the BRICS group, scheduled for August 23-24.
The event on Thursday will be followed by an extended meeting of the so-called Friends of BRICS on Friday, to which the foreign ministers of 15 African and Global South countries are invited.