Ramaphosa Terms BRICS Summit ‘Very Successful'

July 10—South African President Cyril Ramaphosa praised the achievements of the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 6-7, commending its efforts for improving health and stressing the urgency for peace. At a press briefing at the summit’s conclusion, the South African Government News Agency, SAnews.gov.za, reported July 8 that Ramaphosa stated: “We admitted a new member, Indonesia, and admitted new BRICS partner countries. [Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Nigeria were announced as partner countries on January 1, 2025.] There is a lot of interest in the Global South about being part of BRICS, which shows that BRICS continues to grow its voice, its reach and importance as well. [It] has become a fairly sizable BRICS community, which already accounts for more than half the population of the world.” He praised that “BRICS Rio de Janeiro was very successful. We leave with very fulfilled hearts, because it has added to many issues that lead to the development of our world.”

Ramaphosa stated during the BRICS plenary sessions July 7 the need to “drive the global health agenda,” that is “for disease elimination and targeted towards the most vulnerable populations.”

He emphasized “We must continue to advocate for the urgent intensification of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and ensure sustainable and lasting peace. We remain deeply concerned by the heavy human toll of conflicts in Russia and Ukraine, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Gaza,” adding, “we must find just and lasting solutions to these devastating conflicts.” He denounced the bombing of Iran.

The South African President noted that this year, South Africa will hold the Presidency of the G20; he will work to shape its agenda. The G20 summit will take place over Nov. 22-23 in Johannesburg, the first time in Africa.