Category: Republic of South Africa Government

Source: President of South Africa –

Programme Director,
Minister of Basic Education, Ms Angie Motshekga,
Premier of Gauteng, Mr Panyaza Lesufi,
Junior Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Mr Arabile Maphiri,
Representatives of civil society and business,
Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen, 

It is truly an honour to be among you, our next generation of leaders, professionals, businessmen, entrepreneurs, tech gurus, you name it. 

Some of you also hope someday to be husbands, fathers and sons-in-law. 

You all carry hopes to make something of your lives and to follow your chosen career paths. 

If you decide to have families someday, you may take on the role of a co-provider, a carer and nurturer of your children and support to your partner. 

Some people ask why is there a focus on women: Women’s Day, women’s march, women empowerment, girls’ programmes, girls’ spaces?

The answer is a straightforward one. 

There is a crisis in our society. A terrible crisis that will destroy us if we do not overcome it. 

That crisis is violence against women and girls; violence that men perpetrate.

Because it is men who are responsible for this scourge, men need to be part of bringing it to an end.

We are encouraged that we have with us today young men from different parts of our country who have stood up and said yes, we want to be part of bringing about change. Yes, we want to be better men. 

Yes, we want to show by our words and deeds that we respect women and girls and treat them as equals. 

I want to thank you all for taking this important step towards making our country a better place for all its people. 

This young men’s dialogue is very important. 

To end gender-based violence, we must focus on prevention. 

We must stop this violence before it even happens. 

There must be an open and honest conversation about what contributes to violence against women and girls.

We need to talk about patriarchal attitudes and practices. We need to challenge toxic masculinity, which is the idea that being a man means one must dominate and demean women. 

We must talk about the influence of culture and media depictions of men and women.

“What about the Boys?” brings together government, the private sector, academia, civil society, the media and other stakeholders in a collaboration towards raising a nation of good men. 

We have just seen the video and listened to the voices of participants, and it is clear that this programme continues to be well-received and has had a positive impact.

We are correct to ask the question, “What about the Boys?”, because young men and boys must not be left behind. 

They must be part of our journey towards a South Africa free of gender-based violence. 

They must be encouraged and supported to be change-makers in society. 

Participants, Zinsizwa, 

Akulula ukuba yinsizwa kulenzinsuku. 

You face a lot of pressure in the family, in relationships, with your friends, at school and places of higher learning, in your peer groups, and in society as a whole. 

In South Africa today, young black men are most vulnerable to violence. 

Young men and boys are vulnerable to recruitment by gangs and pressure to take part in criminal activities. 

The young men of this country are being made into men before their time. 

You may face pressure from your friends to become sexually active even when you are not ready to, because this is seen as being a real man. 

Worse yet, engaging in unsafe sex practices is also seen as more manly. 

This is leading to teenage pregnancies, the spread of HIV and sexually transmitted infections and other problems. We must talk about this. 

For some of you there may be pressure, especially once you have gone through ritual initiation, to so-called “prove” your manhood in various ways. 

Far too often this is having a destructive effect on women and girls. We must talk about these things and not whisper them in dark corners. 

Kumele sikhulume about sexuality in general; about stigma, bullying and even violence against gay or gender non-conforming young men. This is a problem in many of our communities.

Many young men may not have positive role models.

Absentee fathers are one of the greatest tragedies of our nation. Only a third of South Africa’s children live with both parents. Most children either live with their mother only or with neither parents.

We must talk about what it means for young men and boys not to have a father at home to support, encourage and guide them.

We must talk about the pressure on young men and boys to drop out of school to 
earn a living because they have family members relying on them financially, or because they want to be independent.

As young men, you are vulnerable too. You also experience depression, loneliness, and frustration. These can sometimes manifest in aggressive behaviour, especially towards women and girls, problematic relationships, and violence. We must talk.

As young men, you may be tired of being told you are a problem. 

You want your dignity respected and upheld. You want your good qualities to be recognised. 

We are here to tell you that we see you as not the problem, but as the solution. 

It is in your hands to bring about a new generation of South African men. 

This new generation of men are respectful, masculine in a positive way and sensitive. They would never think of a woman as less than a man. They would never think about raising their hand against a woman. 

We have convened this dialogue because we recognise that we must engage men and boys separately from women and girls. 

We want to create more safe and open spaces where you can talk about your feelings, share with each other and collaborate on strategies that help you advance through different stages of your lives. 

The focus of the programme is to reimagine and reinvent masculinities in sensitive, kind, respectful, accountable, expressive and nurturing ways. 

It is about working with young men and boys through theatres of learning to influence how they view themselves and the kinds of men that they grow into. 
As government, civil society, business and social partners we are committed to supporting you in your journey to becoming better men. 

I would like to thank the Department of Basic Education, Primestars, SterKinekor and all the partners of the programme. Thank you for taking the initiative to design such a positive and uplifting programme, and for your commitment to being part of change.

Thank you to all the participants who have been involved in this engagement.

Your views, thoughts and ideas have enriched our understanding of the challenges young men face and how you are taking responsibility for yourselves and your society.

From what I have heard today, I am more confident than ever that the boys and men of this country are an essential part of our struggle to end all forms of violence against women in our society. 

I thank you.

Source: President of South Africa –

The Republic of South Africa congratulates the government and the people of The Republic of Zimbabwe for organizing and holding the harmonized elections to elect the President, National Assembly and Local government representatives, which took place on 23 and 24 August 2023.

South Africa is conscious that these elections took place under a difficult economic environment due to the burdening sanctions which the people of Zimbabwe continue to unjustly endure. 

Furthermore, South Africa has taken note of the preliminary pronouncements by the invited International Observers Missions including the African Union (AU) and the South African Development Community (SEOM) Observer Missions.

South Africa calls on all the parties in Zimbabwe to work in unison in sustaining peace and work towards development and shared prosperity in the country.

          
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa will, tomorrow, Tuesday, 29 August 2023, engage with young men and boys on the prevention and combating of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as part of the programme of the Presidential Young Men and Boys Indaba. 

The engagement will afford the President a platform to engage with young men and boys on the tangible progress made in GBVF prevention activities in schools and the challenges faced under the scourge of violence and abuse.

President Ramaphosa has consistently called for the mobilisation of men and boys in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide.

The Indaba will also feature a dialogue among high school learners on positive masculinity.

“What About The Boys?” is a GBVF prevention initiative to raise a nation of good men and is an outcome of a 2022 social compact, led by youth organisations and stakeholders in the public and private sectors.

This programme is aligned to Pillar 2: Prevention and Restoration of Social Fabric of the National Strategic Plan (NSP).

One of the key interventions of Pillar 2 of the NSP is to change behaviour and social norms that drive GBVF with key groups within the society using a variety of approaches. 

The President will be supported by the Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga. 

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 29 August 2023
Time: 09h00
Venue: Maponya Mall, Chris Hani Road, Klipspruit, Soweto, Gauteng Province

For media logistics enquiries contact Terence Khala: Basic Education Department Media Liaison Officer on +27 81 758 1546 and Elijah Mhlanga:Head of Communication at Basic Education Department on 083 580 8275 

          
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

The Presidency and National Treasury have today, Sunday 27 August 2023, released a progress report for Q2 2023 on the implementation of economic reforms through Operation Vulindlela.

In October 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of Operation Vulindlela as a joint initiative of The Presidency and National Treasury to accelerate the implementation of reforms to revive economic growth and create jobs.

The progress report outlines several key milestones that have been reached as part of government’s economic reform agenda, including the following:

● Gazetting of the final date for analogue switch-off (ASO), which has enabled analogue transmission to be switched off for all frequencies above 694 Megahertz (MHz) on 31 July 2023 to enable the use of spectrum for mobile telecommunications. This key reform will improve network quality, reduce data costs and expand digital access for all South Africans.

● Selection of an international terminal operator to partner with Transnet at the Durban Pier 2 container terminal. This will crowd in private investment and management expertise to improve the performance of South Africa’s largest container terminal, handling 72% of the Port of Durban’s throughput and 46% of South Africa’s port traffic.

● Establishment of the National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC) to oversee short and long-term interventions to fix South Africa’s freight logistics system. The NLCC has eight work streams focused on immediate operational improvements in the logistics system as well as longer-term reforms to improve efficiency and competitiveness, and will report to the President.

● Approval of the National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency (NWRIA) Bill for tabling in Parliament. The establishment of the NWRIA as a dedicated agency to manage and invest in bulk water resource infrastructure is the centrepiece of institutional reforms in the water sector.

●  Establishment of the One Stop Shop for energy projects to accelerate private investment in new generation capacity. The One Stop Shop will facilitate regulatory authorisations for energy projects, with the aim of establishing a single, fully electronic application process.

●  Progress in procuring new generation capacity to close the gap in electricity supply, with nine projects from Bid Window 5 having reached financial close to date and a further four expected to close by September 2023.

The report provides a detailed update on each of the priority reform areas in Operation Vulindlela, including reforms to the energy, logistics, telecommunications, and water sectors as well as the visa regime.

The full Operation Vulindlela 2023_24 Q2 Report can be downloaded at https://www.stateofthenation.gov.za/operation-vulindlela.

          
Joint statement issued by:

– Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President media@presidency.gov.za
– Cleopatra Mosana, Head of Communications in the National Treasury cleopatra.mosana@treasury.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa will later today, 24 August 2023, Co-Chair the China-Africa Leaders Round Table along with His Excellency President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China after the 15th BRICS Summit.

The theme for the Roundtable is “Promoting African Integration and Jointly Building a High-Level Africa-China Community with a Shared Future”. The initiative to hold the Roundtable was made by the Government of China.

The current Chairs of the eight Regional Economic Communities (RECs) of Africa are expected to participate, including the Chair of the African Union; the Chair of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation; and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

The expected outcomes of the China-Africa Leaders Roundtable dialogue will be to further heighten and reiterate Chinese political commitment to regional and continental integration, with a focus on supporting Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.

The various Chairs of the RECs would also have the opportunity to frontload developmental challenges in their respective regions and engage with the Chinese Head of State and Government on how China could further support regional economic growth.

As Co-Chair of the event, President Ramaphosa will have the opportunity to actively steer the political discussions and ensure that key messages on African development are conveyed to the Chinese authorities as a key development player on the Continent. 

President Ramaphosa will also advocate for the following key address:

• Highlighting the importance of China-South Africa bilateral relations, against the backdrop of the successfully concluded 4th State Visit, in supporting the African Agenda;

• Contextualising the conclusion and outcomes of the BRICS Summit (and the related theme on African development) to the discussions of the Roundtable, moving forward;

• Drawing in the FOCAC process as the principal multilateral engagement between Africa and China, and making the relevant linkages to support the Second Ten Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063 and calling for joint monitoring and evaluation;

• Highlighting the importance of the transformative nature of infrastructural development on the African Continent and linking future FOCAC support to the North-South Corridor projects of the Presidential Infrastructure Championing Initiative (PICI); 

• Stressing the key priority areas of development as Africa moves into the second decade of Agenda 2063, inclusive of calling for specific Chinese support for the full operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA);

• Calling for greater cooperation in international affairs and multilateral institutions, inclusive of upholding the UN-based global system and UN Security Council Reform aimed at overall African development

At the conclusion of the Roundtable, it is envisaged that a Joint Statement will be adopted by the participating Heads of State and Government. 

Note to media: Due to restricted space at the venue of the China-Africa Leaders Roundtable Dialogue, a media pool is in place. 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

The President of the Republic of South Africa and Chair of BRICS, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, will announce the outcomes of the XV BRICS Summit on Thursday, 24 August 2023, at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg. 

For XV BRICS Summit accredited media only.

Date: Thursday, 24 August 2023
Time: 8h45 
Venue: Media to converge at the Media Centre Level -2 by 07h30

For media logistics enquiries, contact Nelson Kgwete on 076 431 3078 and Terrence Manase on 082 338 6707.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

Your Excellency President Xi Jinping,
Heads of State and Government and Chairs of the Regional Economic Communities in Africa,
Chairperson of the African Union Commission, 
Ministers and Advisors,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our deliberations this evening have been robust, giving us all a sense of the challenges facing Africa and the opportunities for progress. 

The discussions highlight the importance of effective regional coordination to enhance and support continental integration.

With the support of China and others, regional development and integration will support the diversification of our economies. It will enable African countries to shift away from the export of raw materials to the export of high-quality manufactured goods and services.

We conclude these deliberations with a clear understanding that the African Continental Free Trade Area is the engine for African economic and regional integration. 

We have discussed that investment in infrastructure in Africa will need to be significantly scaled up. 

Sustained engagement with China as one of the principal supporters of strategic infrastructure development projects is critical. 

We have identified obstacles in the way of regional integration such as inadequate financial resources, poor infrastructure networks, increasing violence, terrorism, political instability and others.

At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have worsened public finances and increased the debt burden of many African countries. This has reduced infrastructure investment in Africa. 

Regional Economic Communities often have limited ability to implement regional agreements. Support by development partners for capacity-building, technological transfer, innovation and knowledge-sharing is therefore crucial. 

We have acknowledged the importance of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation as a means of deepening collaboration in the cause of development. 

The adoption of our Joint Statement a few minutes ago will further solidify our resolve and commitment to enhancing China-Africa relations. 

It is now incumbent upon us all to translate these intentions into concrete regional actions that are time-bound and results-orientated. 

We should use all necessary regional and continental tools, through our Regional Economic Communities and the African Union, to realise our commitment to an integrated, dynamic and prosperous Africa. 

I thank you.

Source: President of South Africa –

Your Excellency President Xi Jinping, Co-Chair of the China-Africa Leaders’ Roundtable Dialogue,
Heads of State and Government and Chairs of the Regional Economic Communities in Africa,
Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr Moussa Faki Mahamat,
Ministers and Advisors,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to this China-Africa Leaders’ Roundtable Dialogue. 

This dialogue has been convened to consider the role of China-Africa relations in supporting the goal of regional integration in Africa as outlined in the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Promoting the movement of goods, services, people and capital across Africa is vital for the future growth and prosperity of our continent. 

African economic integration promises to open up more opportunities for African producers and consumers, lower the cost of trade and attract large-scale investment.

South Africa and China have just successfully concluded the fourth State Visit by President Xi Jinping to South Africa.

The State Visit afforded us an opportunity to share views and to affirm the importance of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

We discussed the deepening of South-South cooperation and issues of mutual interest in international affairs within the multilateral formations of BRICS, the G20, the G77 plus China, and others.

We have also just concluded the 15th BRICS Summit.

A priority of South Africa’s chairship of BRICS is to address African developmental challenges, building on an existing partnership to deliver tangible benefits for Africa.

All BRICS partners support the AU’s Agenda 2063 and are significant investors in Africa. 

The New Development Bank, with its African Regional Centre in Johannesburg, also continues to mobilise resources for infrastructure development in the global South.

The significant infrastructure investment needed to operationalise the African Continental Free Trade Area will unlock the benefits of the continental market and generate mutually beneficial opportunities for both African and BRICS countries. 

These opportunities relate not only to trade and investment but also in driving sustainable development and increased standards of living for our people. 

In this regard, we thank the Chinese government for expressing its full support to the South African BRICS chairship in fulfilling this African Agenda. 

We need to place China-Africa relations in the context of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation – FOCAC – which advances a strategic and cooperative partnership between Africa and China. 

There is a need to further strengthen consultation and coordination on FOCAC to enhance implementation and practical cooperation in various fields under the Dakar Action Plan.

Future engagement should be aligned with the Second Ten Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063. There should be joint monitoring and evaluation and joint sourcing of the necessary funding for implementation.

Infrastructural development of a transformative nature in Africa has been the cornerstone of FOCAC engagement. 

In this regard, South Africa calls for a review of all FOCAC projects to ascertain the level of implementation and address any challenges. 

We would welcome technical, financial and capacity-building support for the identified North-South Corridor projects of the Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative within the wider Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa. 

China’s Belt and Road Initiative has resulted in the creation of new road, rail, port and energy investments in Africa. 

Investing in infrastructure is essential to diversify economies, promote private sector activity and boost job creation. 

Infrastructure investment also fosters innovation and productivity, lowers transaction costs and will improve Africa’s integration and connectivity.

As we move into the second decade of Agenda 2063, we must focus on African countries reaching middle-income status and empowering African citizens through improved productivity. 

We need to build a more integrated and connected Africa, amicably resolve African conflicts and sustain Africa as an influential global player. 

Central to African growth is the African Continental Free Trade Area.

In supporting the effective implementation of the AfCFTA, cooperation between China and Africa should promote investment, facilitate the development of value chains and boost mutual capacity to produce and export value-added manufactured products. 

Support for industrialisation should include enhanced support for micro, small and medium enterprises and the informal economy. 

A sustainable and inclusive industrialisation pathway for Africa would have to address issues such as unemployment, women’s empowerment, climate change, energy security and youth development. 

As part of deepening China-Africa relations we should enhance cooperation in international affairs and within multilateral institutions.

We should seek an equitable world order underpinned by international law and based on the principles of the UN Charter. This includes upholding the rights and interests of countries of the Global South and respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China and Africa should cooperate in calling for the creation of institutional mechanisms that will have the stature, form and global trust to effectively manage matters of global peace and security.

Our deliberations this evening will afford us the opportunity to address a number of key developmental challenges that are specific to Africa. 

Dealing with regional challenges will further enhance our goals of regional integration in support of continental integration. This can only be achieved with our full commitment and through the assistance of important development partners like China. 

In this regard, I once again warmly welcome you all to this important Roundtable Dialogue and look forward to our engagements.

I thank you.

Source: President of South Africa –

Your Excellency, Mr António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations,
Your Excellency, President Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of the Comoros and Chair of the African Union,
Your Excellencies, Leaders of BRICS nations,
Leaders of Africa and the Global South,
Leaders of Global and Regional Institutions,
Honourable Ministers,
Distinguished Guests,

It is a great honour to welcome you to South Africa for the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue.

When reflecting on the purpose and role of BRICS in the world today, we recall the Bandung Conference of 1955, where Asian and African nations demanded a greater voice for developing countries in world affairs.

The Conference called for the recognition of the equality of all nations, large and small.

We still share that common vision of a fair and just world. 

We still seek to overcome polarity and division. We want a world without barriers between North and South, East and West.

We still seek a world in which we work together underpinned by mutual respect.

Through the 15th BRICS Summit and this Dialogue we should strive to advance the Bandung spirit of unity, friendship and cooperation.

In South Africa we have a world for this: Ubuntu. 

Ubuntu is a practice based on the understanding that our success, prosperity and well-being depend on the success, prosperity and well-being of others.

We see the BRICS partnership as a catalyst for global growth and development that responds to the needs of all nations.

It is the right of Africa and the entire Global South to fully reap the benefits of global trade and investment. Without trade and investment our economies cannot thrive and our peoples’ material conditions cannot improve.

As the African continent, we are determined that the continent’s substantial resources are harnessed for the benefit and development of Africa’s people.

The African Continental Free Trade Area, once fully operational, will unlock the benefits of the continental market and generate substantial opportunities for Africa and other countries.

To make use of these opportunities, Africa is looking to the BRICS partnership to unlock infrastructure and development financing. 

This was part of the founding vision of the New Development Bank.

The Bank is playing a leading role in efforts to increase the resilience of the Global South, and to bring fairness to global trading and financial systems by strengthening the use of BRICS currencies. 

We have to reform global economic, financial and political governance, including the multilateral trading system, so that we create a conducive environment for fair trade.

While many countries of the Global South are seeing significant progress in industrialisation, technological development, innovation and the digital economy, they are not fully reaping the economic benefits.

By working together, by sharing skills and capabilities, by mobilising resources, we will be able to give renewed impetus to global growth and sustainable development.

We need to move beyond expressions of solidarity towards inclusion and mutually beneficial economic cooperation. 

We trust that this dialogue will provide leadership, vision and hope as we strive together for a better Africa and a better world. 

I thank you.

Source: President of South Africa –

Excellencies,
Members of the Media,
Good Afternoon,

We successfully concluded the 15th BRICS Summit yesterday.     

It is the first BRICS Summit to be hosted in-person since the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent global travel restrictions.

Leading up to the Summit, there was a wide-ranging BRICS business programme aimed at attracting investment, promoting collaboration and showcasing opportunities within South Africa, Africa and BRICS countries. 

We welcome the clear vision of Ms Dilma Rousseff as the President of the New Development Bank on the role that the Bank should play in support of infrastructure and sustainable development in Africa and the Global South. 

We celebrated the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the BRICS Business Council and welcomed the self-review by the Council and the subsequent recommendations made to Leaders. 

We also welcomed the work of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance in their first in-person engagement with leaders. We particularly welcomed the participation of youth representatives in the Summit.

We addressed our expectations for the BRICS economic partnership to generate tangible benefits for our communities and deliver viable solutions for common challenges faced by the global South.

We shared our vision of BRICS as a champion of the needs and concerns of the people of the Global South. These include the need for beneficial economic growth, sustainable development and reform of multilateral systems. 

We reiterate our commitment to inclusive multilateralism and upholding international law, including the purposes and principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

We are concerned about ongoing conflicts in many parts of the world. We stress our commitment to the peaceful resolution of differences and disputes through dialogue and inclusive consultation.

The Summit noted that an unbalanced recovery from the hardship of the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating inequality across the world.

We encourage multilateral financial institutions and international organisations to play a constructive role in building global consensus on economic policies. 

We have noted that there is global momentum for the use of local currencies, alternative financial arrangements and alternative payment systems.

As BRICS, we are ready to explore opportunities for improving the stability, reliability and fairness of the global financial architecture. 

The Summit agreed to task the BRICS Finance Ministers and/or Central Bank Governors, as appropriate, to consider the issue of local currencies, payment instruments and platforms and report back to the BRICS leaders by the next Summit.

This Summit reaffirmed the importance of BRICS people-to-people exchanges in enhancing mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation. 

The Summit appreciates the progress made over the last year in the fields of media, culture, education, sports, arts, youth, civil society and academic exchanges.

We adopted the Johannesburg II Declaration which reflects key BRICS messages on matters of global economic, financial and political importance. 

It demonstrates the shared values and common interests that underlie our mutually beneficial cooperation as the five BRICS countries.

BRICS itself is a diverse group of nations.

It is an equal partnership of countries that have differing views but have a shared vision for a better world.

As the five BRICS countries, we have reached an agreement on the guiding principles, standards, criteria and procedures of the BRICS expansion process, which has been under discussion for quite a while. 

We have consensus on the first phase of this expansion process, and further phases will follow.

We have decided to invite the Argentine Republic, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to become full members of BRICS. The membership will take effect from 1 January 2024.

We value the interest of other countries in building a partnership with BRICS.

We have tasked our Foreign Ministers to further develop the BRICS partner country model and a list of prospective partner countries and report by the next Summit.

Today, we will be hosting leaders from Africa and the Global South in the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue. 

This is so that we can have an inclusive dialogue on key issues affecting developing economies and identify actions that we can take together towards a more equitable, inclusive and representative world.

May I conclude by thanking the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and China, together with their delegations, for participating in this most successful 15th BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Through this Summit, BRICS has embarked on a new chapter in its effort to build a world that is fair, a world that is just, a world that is also inclusive and prosperous. 

I thank you.