Ethiopian PM Calls BRICS to Push for Equitable World Order, Urges for Cooperation & Development

BRICS can become a force on the way to creating a more just world order, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali said at the BRICS Summit's extended meeting in Russia's Kazan on Wednesday.

"I see a tremendous opportunity in BRICS; with its collective voice representing nearly half of the global population and over a third of the global GDP, BRICS has the potential to be a transformative force of a more equitable world order," Abiy Ahmed said.

Ethiopia sees the BRICS group as a great opportunity for developing countries, including in terms of financing efforts to combat the effects of climate change, the country's prime minister noted.

The world is evolving rapidly and facing multiple crises; addressing them requires wisdom and a thoughtful approach. It is important to recognize that economic growth in developing countries is very often confronted with an unfair financial system, the official pointed out.

"The imbalance in our economic framework globally leads to inequality, inflation and unemployment. A collective effort on our part is therefore required - more than ever. Calls to solve climate problems, to finance these solutions - they are not being heeded, even though the crisis is getting worse. Faced with these challenges, I see significant opportunities here within BRICS," he said.

Abiy Ahmed also called for economic cooperation within BRICS in all industries, including energy and tourism, as well as in the development of artificial intelligence.

"Our partnership should not only address today's challenges; it should lay the foundations for achieving a more equitable and inclusive multilateral world," the prime minister emphasized.

The Ethiopian authorities are pinning their hopes on investment from the BRICS New Development Bank and reform of the financial infrastructure, according to Abiy Ahmed.

"The consideration of applications for membership of BRICS and the New Development Bank will create a system of alternative financing for infrastructure projects that are important for development. I believe that BRICS is in a unique position to pursue equitable multilateralism," he said.

Ethiopia expects BRICS member countries to support Africa in efforts to reform the UN system and give African countries a seat on the organization's Security Council, the prime minister added.

"Ethiopia would like to emphasize that reforming the UN Security Council system deserves our attention. We believe that the countries that are represented at this summit will address the issue of Africa's representation in the UN Security Council on a parity basis, and this is an all-African position. And we are not just talking about representation here, we are talking about fairness, equality. Thus, all countries can make their contribution to global governance," the official noted.

Abiy Ahmed stressed that his country is ready to work for the development of multilateralism on the principles of equality within the BRICS framework.

"Our meeting gives us hope that we will achieve multilateralism and be able to meet the challenges facing our world today. We are a newcomer to the BRICS family, and we Ethiopia is ready to work constructively to strengthen multilateralism and developing countries on the principles of equality," he said.

According to the prime minister, the collective voice of BRICS represents almost half of the global population and one-third of the global GDP.

"Intra-BRICS trade, investment, tourism can entail economic growth that will benefit not only the member states. It will also serve cooperation and solidarity in addressing global challenges. We must put our economies and capacities at the service of this in order to achieve economic growth for the benefit of our peoples," the politician emphasized.

Ethiopia is also ready to become a guarantor of food security through its growing grain production.

"We are committed to food security. We will become the largest producer of cereals due to our productivity," he said, adding that Ethiopia is the third-largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Ethiopia has the potential of a young labor force and energy resources, which opens new opportunities for investment, trade as part of our macroeconomic reform as well as for growth, Abiy Ahmed noted.