By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa assumes the Chairmanship of BRICS for 2023 with the theme-“BRICS & Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development & Inclusive Multilateralism” and will host the BRICS Summit in August.
Under the South African chairmanship, the bloc will continue its work on sustainable development in the areas of economy, environment and social reforms.
The country has already held the BRICS chairmanship in 2018, its work was positively acknowledged by the partners.
BRICS foreign ministers, meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, expressed full support for South Africa to chair the bloc in 2023 and hold the XV summit.
The heads of agencies reaffirmed their willingness to continue cooperation in the fight against corruption among the BRICS countries through inclusive and consensual consultations.
Cooperation on education will continue, in particular on promoting accessibility and equity in education, accelerating the development of quality education and learning, and encouraging exchanges among BRICS youth.
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor then noted that South Africa intends to lead the group strategically in close cooperation with other member countries, setting with them the agenda and priorities for the work.
“South Africa will emphasise specific BRICS cooperation that is in one way or another consonant with the priorities of South Africa and Africa as a whole and aims to improve the world situation,” she said.
“BRICS high-level meetings are planned, as well as ministerial meetings and numerous other events,” Pandor said.