The emerging BRICS economic format is a viable alternative to the current system of global governance, South Africa's representative in Vienna, Rapulane Sydney Molekane, said in an interview with Russian media.
The strengthening of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) and trade in national currencies are some of the main areas of cooperation within the group, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Molekane, who is also South Africa's ambassador to Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia, similarly mentioned that the concept of BRICS has gained widespread recognition in South Africa and that the group is open to welcoming new members.
South Africa currently holds the chairmanship of BRICS, having joined the group in 2010.
At a meeting in Cape Town in June, the group's foreign ministers discussed the possibility of expanding the group. The results of that discussion could be presented at a summit of BRICS leaders in August.