Ramaphosa to attend 18th BRICS Summit in India

President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, from September 12 to 13 at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The summit will be held under India’s chairship theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Security”, with leaders expected to focus on strengthening cooperation among BRICS members and advancing the interests of the Global South.

Discussions will include expanding trade and investment, financial and institutional cooperation, people-centred development and reforms to the United Nations and international financial institutions.

The summit comes as geopolitical tensions continue to weigh on global economic development, with conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as growing competition between major powers, creating further pressure on efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

South Africa is expected to use the summit to advance its economic and diplomatic priorities, including increasing intra-BRICS trade and investment, promoting industrialisation and value addition, and attracting investment into African infrastructure.

These efforts will also be aligned with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Ramaphosa will participate in the BRICS Business Forum Leaders’ Dialogue, bringing together political leaders and business representatives to discuss trade and supply chains, agriculture, women-led development, the digital economy and innovation.

The South African chapters of the BRICS Business Council and BRICS Women’s Business Alliance will also participate, with the aim of strengthening commercial ties and identifying opportunities for increased investment and economic cooperation.

BRICS leaders will further discuss “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism”, while an engagement with invited leaders will focus on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability for inclusive global growth.

The summit is expected to conclude with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration.

Ramaphosa will be accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Zuko Godlimpi.