Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd L),
Brazilian President Michel Temer (1st R), Russian President Vladimir
Putin (2nd R), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (1st L) and South
African President Cyril Ramaphosa pose for a group photo during the
Plenary Session of the 10th BRICS summit in Johannesburg, July 26, 2018.
– Xinhua
Brazilian President Michel Temer (1st R), Russian President Vladimir
Putin (2nd R), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (1st L) and South
African President Cyril Ramaphosa pose for a group photo during the
Plenary Session of the 10th BRICS summit in Johannesburg, July 26, 2018.
– Xinhua
Johannesburg. — Leaders of BRICS countries on Friday committed to
partnership and collaboration with Africa as key attributes towards
achieving mutual aspirations. Speaking at its 10th summit in South
Africa, the BRICS said it had provided over $1 billion in various forms
of support to Africa in the past year.
partnership and collaboration with Africa as key attributes towards
achieving mutual aspirations. Speaking at its 10th summit in South
Africa, the BRICS said it had provided over $1 billion in various forms
of support to Africa in the past year.
BRICS is a five-member grouping of emerging economies namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Selected African countries including Zimbabwe and some from Islamic and
Caribbean blocks were invited to attend the summit as the grouping aims
at deepen cooperation with other bodies.
Caribbean blocks were invited to attend the summit as the grouping aims
at deepen cooperation with other bodies.
Chinese President Xi Xinping said development of an open and
inclusive partnership was imperative for the countries to benefit from
the industrial revolution and the age of technology.
inclusive partnership was imperative for the countries to benefit from
the industrial revolution and the age of technology.
“We need to expand co-operation to explore new drivers for growth
facing a new round of scientific, technological and industrial
developments. We must work together to seize the opportunities,” he
said.
facing a new round of scientific, technological and industrial
developments. We must work together to seize the opportunities,” he
said.
“We need to build a new type of international relations based on mutual respect, fairness and justice and win-win co-operation.”
He said China had in the past year availed over RMB 1 billion (about
$150 million) in humanitarian assistance and to boost the continent’s
food security.
$150 million) in humanitarian assistance and to boost the continent’s
food security.
More measures to deepen China-Africa cooperation would be availed in
September this year at the annual Forum on China-Africa Co-operation,
known as FOCAC in short, he said.
September this year at the annual Forum on China-Africa Co-operation,
known as FOCAC in short, he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Africa had a young and vibrant
population that presented vast opportunities for BRICS member countries
as markets and consumer demand were growing.
population that presented vast opportunities for BRICS member countries
as markets and consumer demand were growing.
“Russia has always attached great importance to the development of
relations with Africa. These relations are based on many years of
friendship and mutual assistance,” he said.
relations with Africa. These relations are based on many years of
friendship and mutual assistance,” he said.
He said Russia had availed over $1 billion in assistance to Africa,
while trade with the continent had grown by over 25 percent last year.
while trade with the continent had grown by over 25 percent last year.
African Union chairperson, Paul Kagame, who is the President of
Rwanda, said there were many areas of common interest between the BRICS
and Africa.
Rwanda, said there were many areas of common interest between the BRICS
and Africa.
“We want to collaborate in key sectors including industrialisation,
infrastructure as well as peace and security which are at the heart of
the African Union’s Agenda 2063,” he said.
infrastructure as well as peace and security which are at the heart of
the African Union’s Agenda 2063,” he said.
Other African leaders, including President Mnangagwa committed to
partnering and collaborating with the BRICS as a means to attain mutual
goals.
partnering and collaborating with the BRICS as a means to attain mutual
goals.
“Zimbabwe stands ready to enhance collaboration, inclusive growth and shared prosperity with all of you,” he said.
“The BRICS family are champions of multi-lateralism which has in general
secured interests of developing countries. We urge you to remain
steadfast in support of a stronger multilateral system.” — New Ziana.
secured interests of developing countries. We urge you to remain
steadfast in support of a stronger multilateral system.” — New Ziana.
