PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has called on developed countries to live up to their promises and help emerging economies fight climate change.
Opening the BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre, Joburg, on 23 August, Ramaphosa said that as nations of the world confront climate change, they must ensure that the transition to a low carbon future was just and fair. In doing so, they must also consider the different circumstances that prevail in all countries.
"In line with this objective, BRICS nations need to advance the interests of the global south and call for industrialised countries to honour their commitments to support climate actions by developing economic progress," said Ramaphosa.
"The commitments of support that have been made that have not yet been lived up to need to be followed through."
He said BRICS as a bloc had been a major driver of global growth of trade and investment as well a bridge for solidarity and for progress. The president encouraged the use of local currencies in trade and said BRICS would facilitate this.
"This is a matter that we believe that further discussion needs to take place, particularly among our finance ministers," said Ramaphosa.
The president said BRICS stood for sustainable development and was an inclusive formation of developing and emerging economies that seek to work together to benefit from their rich histories, cultures and systems to advance the prosperity of their citizens.
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"We do so because we know that poverty, inequality and underdevelopment are the biggest challenges facing humanity. We are therefore determined that the BRICS partnership which has been growing into an important and influence over the years must be harnessed to drive an inclusive global economic recovery advancing the African agenda."
The president lauded countries such as Brazil and China for their continued contribution to the continent "in a meaningful way". He said that Russia has always had good and meaningful relations with African countries.
"Our objectives are reciprocal trade and investment. We want the goods and products and services from Africa to compete on an equal footing on the global economy.
"The African continental free trade area, once fully operational, will unlock the benefits of the continental market and generate mutually beneficial opportunities for both African and BRICS countries," said Ramaphosa.
