International Relations and Cooperation Minister Dr Naledi Pandor said South Africa would continue to cement ties that would lead to a better country, Africa and the world.
This comes as South Africa assumes the role of chair of Brics for 2023.
“This role rotates on an annual basis among the member states of Brics, and we will be taking over from the outgoing chair, the People’s Republic of China,” Pandor explained.
Addressing the media on Monday, she reflected on the work done during 2022 to advance South Africa’s foreign policy. She also highlighted some of the achievements, challenges and the year ahead.
According to the minister, the main objectives of the country’s engagement in Brics are to enhance future growth and development and strengthen intra-Brics relations and mutually beneficial cooperation.
“South Africa will continue to emphasise concrete cooperation that contributes both directly and indirectly to the priorities of a better South Africa, a better Africa, and a better world through its partnership with key players of the global south on issues related to global governance and its reform and development.”
According to Pandor, a country that chairs the Brics, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has several responsibilities.
These include providing strategic leadership during the tenure as Brics chair, in close consultation with other members, based on the chair’s agenda or priorities and decisions.
“South Africa’s membership in Brics has contributed to further expanding its geographic reach, representivity and inclusiveness.”
Brics countries, according to the minister, now constitute the largest trading partners of Africa and the largest new investors, and the exponential growth potential of the Brics-Africa economic partnership is well recognised.
“The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has exposed the inadequacy of the United Nations (UN) system and highlighted the need for serious attention to our repeated calls for substantive reform of the Security Council and, indeed, the United Nations.”
She reiterated South Africa’s belief that the UN remained the only viable mechanism through which the global community must strive for peace and common development.
“South Africa will continue to play an active role in the UN, including its organs, such as the Human Rights Council.”
In October, South Africa was elected to serve as a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the period 2023 to 2025.
It consists of 47 member states, which are elected directly and individually by secret ballot by the members of the General Assembly.
Pandor said improving economic and trade relations with many of South Africa’s key partners would go a long way to attracting more foreign direct investment and creating jobs.
The promotion of economic diplomacy, she said, was a necessary intervention given the domestic challenges facing South Africa, which include poverty, unemployment and inequality.
During 2022, South Africa ensured that existing diplomatic and trade mechanisms were activated with key trade partners such as China, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Nigeria, Kenya, Mozambique and Botswana. – SAnews.gov.za
