South African President says he will promote equality and cooperation through BRICS

The Republic of South Africa (RSA) will continue to promote the ideas of multipolarity, international cooperation and cooperation, including through participation in BRICS. This was stated by the country's President Cyril Ramaphosa in an address to the nation on February 6.

"South Africa continues to advance its agenda of cooperation and multilateralism [joint action to overcome common challenges - Ed.] through its membership of the United Nations, the African Union, the Non-Aligned Movement and the BRICS group of countries," he said.

Under the influence of global challenges and conflicts, Ramaphosa said the world is facing increasing manifestations of nationalism and protectionism, as well as "the pursuit of narrow interests and the decline of common cause."

"We must chart a path in a rapidly changing world. It is a world of interdependence and competition, cooperation and conflict. It is a multipolar world in which new countries are emerging to play a more important role in world affairs," he emphasized.

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Earlier, on February 5, the Russian Foreign Ministry saw new opportunities for the Global South if Indonesia joins BRICS. According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko, Indonesia remains an important partner of the Russian Federation in the region. In addition, there is active trade and industrial cooperation between the countries, as well as humanitarian exchanges.

Also on January 29, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov commented on the country's potential membership in BRICS to Izvestia.