President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday that existing global institutional mechanisms need to be strengthened and reformed to play a constructive role in international peace and security.

Ramaphosa was speaking during the sixteenth Brics Heads of State Summit in Russia, where he stated that the world cannot afford a region-wide escalation of conflict.

He pointed to the conflicts in Gaza, Sahel and Great Lakes regions, calling for lasting solutions.

This as Brics ally Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, in a conflict that has continued for over two years.

Criticism has been levelled at Ramaphosa for calling for peace in the Middle East while conflict continues in Ukraine.

Ramaphosa expressed concern on behalf of South Africa at the military aggression by Israel against Gaza, claiming genocide.

He said this led South Africa to approach the International Court of Justice with a case of genocide, with a view to stop the killing of women and children in Gaza.

"We believe the world cannot sit by and watch the suffering. South Africa has been unwavering in advocating for a two-State solution that would see an independent Palestinian State along the borders set out in 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This would be in line with UN resolutions, international law and internationally agreed parameters," Ramaphosa explained.

He called on the international community and the United Nations Security Council to address the “spiralling conflict”, highlighting the need to safeguard the ability of States to pursue independent foreign policy.

"In our quest for a more interconnected, just and prosperous world, we have the ability to foster an environment of peace through a focus on sustainable development. We must continue to support nations and peoples who seek to end the cycle of conflict and choose the path of peace," he said.

He urged negotiation and inclusive dialogue, as well as the safeguarding of a multilateral system, which he said was the cornerstone of international relations, and fostered an environment of peace and development.

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa congratulated the Russian Federation and President Vladimir Putin on chairing a "successful" Brics Summit, as well as leading countries on adopting an "excellent declaration”.

"The Brics Outreach and Brics Plus engagements are important platforms for developing strong ties among countries from the greater Global South and emerging markets. We should use these platforms to foster meaningful engagement," he said.

He said the Brics platform should be used to contribute to social, economic and cultural development of people.

"We welcome the Russian initiatives that are aimed at strengthening a number of Brics countries through the various networks aimed at improving the future of Brics countries’ transport networks and connectivity under the theme ‘Innovation and Digitalisation of Transport’," Ramaphosa said.