BRICS Cannot Be 'Ignored' Anymore, South Africa's Ruling Party Official Says

Nowadays, it is no longer possible to defy BRICS, which actively contributes to the transformation of modern international relations, stated Gwen Ramokgopa, treasurer-general of the African National Congress (ANC), during the ANC's Progressive Business Forum (PBF) this week.

"Through joint efforts, BRICS is today a force for progressive change in global affairs and cannot be ignored. It is for this reason that the forthcoming summit in August has attracted so much interest. BRICS can no longer be dismissed as an insignificant form," Gwen Ramokgopa said.

The treasurer-general also noted the increasing importance of the organization, which affects the interests of almost half of the world's population.

"BRICS represents over 42% of the global population. It represents 30% of the world territory and over 30% of the GDP, and unfortunately, only 18% of global trade. BRICS continues to grow stronger, more reliable and more influential as a platform that advances the common interests of the Global South," said the official.

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In addition, Gwen Ramokgopa expressed the hope that the active development of the countries of the Global South would not be viewed with hostility by the developed states.

"We hope and trust that the advancement of those that have been left behind is not seen and would not be seen as a threat to any of the advanced countries, that even the advanced countries are not the only ones that carry the aspirations of the people of the world," noted the treasurer-general.

A number of African countries, including Algeria, Egypt and Ethiopia, as well as Argentina, Iran and Bangladesh have already formally applied for membership.

Earlier, Zimbabwean minister Monica Mutsvangwa in an exclusive interview with Sputnik Africa elaborated on the reasons of the growing interest to BRICS. According to her, it is dictated by the fact that it offers cooperation on the basis of equity.

"This obviously has been necessitated by its [BRICS] leading transparency and favorable trade conditions," she said, adding: "It doesn't impose restrictions on countries which they trade with, hence the ideology is promising to Africa's emerging economies."

The minister also underlined that BRICS promotes the balanced nature of the global order.

The document on BRICS expansion is being finalized in Durban, South Africa, through an emergency meeting of the sherpas and sub-sherpas of BRICS. The enlargement of the organization is one of the main topics in the agenda of the upcoming summit of the organization in August.

The 15th BRICS summit is scheduled to be held in in August in Johannesburg. It was recently confirmed by South African President that the format of the event is going to be "physical".