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The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation welcomes and supports the declaration of the 16th BRICS Summit held under the theme: "Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security" in Kazan in Russia from 22 to 24 October 2024.
 
BRICS leaders adopted a comprehensive declaration which outlines key areas of cooperation among the member states including, strengthening multilateralism for a more just and democratic world order, enhancing cooperation for global and regional stability and security as well as fostering economic and financial cooperation for fust global development.
 
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations, Mr Supra Mahumapelo said it is so encouraging for world leaders to reiterate the importance of further enhancing BRICS solidarity and cooperation based on the mutual interests and key priorities and further strengthening the strategic partnership.
 
The leaders pledged their commitment to among other things, the BRICS spirit of mutual respect and understanding, sovereign equality, solidarity, democracy, openness, inclusiveness, collaboration and consensus.
 
They further committed to strengthening cooperation in the expanded BRICS under the three pillars of political and security, economic and financial, cultural and people-to-people cooperation and to enhancing our strategic partnership for the benefit of our people through the promotion of peace, a more representative, fairer international order, a reinvigorated and reformed multilateral system, sustainable development and inclusive growth.

Mr Mahumapelo applauded President Cyril Ramaphosa and his delegation for successfully representing the country at the 16th BRICS Summit. Delivering a speech during the plenary session, President Ramaphosa among others, highlighted the country’s concerns at the further escalation of a conflict that has already caused so much death and destruction in Palestine. He reminded the leaders that the International Court of Justice has made it clear that the international community has a duty to prevent genocide by Israel. “The countries of the world have a responsibility not to fund or facilitate Israel’s genocidal actions. Lasting peace and security will not be achieved until Palestinians have realised their aspirations for statehood, justice and freedom, he said.
 
He added: “As a country, we understand the value of global support for a people’s right to self-determination and statehood. As the UN General Assembly has now resolved, the countries of the world have a responsibility to promote the realisation of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.”
 
BRICS is an intergovernmental organisation comprising countries such as, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa – including Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates which accepted an invitation to join the body in 2023.

Issued by the Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Supra Mahumapelo