South African President Cyril Ramaphosa plans to lead his country's delegation to the Second Russia–Africa Summit in the Russian city of St. Petersburg on July 27-28, the president's office said Monday.
According to the office, the delegation will also include the country's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, and Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
"This 2nd Summit is expected to consider four declarations and a three-year Action Plan, which will be presented for consideration," the office said in a statement. "These submissions will focus on strengthening cooperation between Russia and African states in politics, security, trade, science, IT, humanitarian support, education, culture, sports, youth and the environment."
The statement noted that the summit's joint declaration also seeks to "strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism, the prevention of an arms race in outer space, and in information security."
The South African president's office added the upcoming summit would give participants in the African Peace Initiative on the Ukraine crisis an opportunity to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"The summit background will also offer an opportunity to African Heads of State who are part of the African Leaders Peace Mission to continue talks with President Putin on the confidence-building measures that will create conducive conditions for a path to peace between Russia and Ukraine," Ramaphosa's office said.
In addition, the South African delegation will use the two-day summit as an opportunity to further engage with Moscow at the bilateral level to "finalise the contents and substance of the upcoming BRICS summit," the statement read.
The upcoming leaders' summit of the BRICS group, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, will take place in the South African city of Johannesburg from August 22 to 24, 2023.