The Department of International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Botes chats to Ubuntu Radio upon concluding his bilateral meeting with the Secretary-General of the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria, Mr Nikolaus Marschik

Minister Ronald Lamola speaking to Ubuntu Radio following the BRICS Foreign Minister's Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

BRICS Foreign Ministers welcomed the Republic of Belarus, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Cuba, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Malaysia, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Uganda, and the Republic of Uzbekistan as BRICS partner countries, to the first standalone BRICS Foreign Minsters Meeting since their admission as BRICS Partner countries on 1 January 2025.

Ministers from BRICS and Partner countries engaged in a session on The Role of the Global South in Reinforcing Multilateralism. In his remarks, Minister Lamola noted that South Africa has put Partner Country model on table during 2023 Johannesburg BRICS Summit. He noted that the Global South is the driving force for change and global institutions like the United Nations, the World Bank, and the IMF often reflect outdated power structures and must adapt to the present-day shared responsibilities it occupies. The Global South is no longer a marginalised silent partner in global affairs. It is a rising force with growing political, economic, and cultural influence.

Minister Lamola underscored that while traditional multilateralism has often flowed from North to South, the Global South has demonstrated how regional and inter-regional collaboration can chart a new path.  From the African Continental Free Trade Area to ASEAN’s regional initiatives and BRICS’ growing economic influence, these platforms show that development can be driven by solidarity, mutual respect, and shared challenges.

He concluded by highlighting that as the President of the G20, the first Presidency on African soil, South Africa is also seeking to amplify the continued value of the G20 as a forum of the world’s largest developing and developed economies.

Minister Ronald Lamola's address at the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on the 28th April 2025. BRICS Foreign Ministers welcomed the Republic of Belarus, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Cuba, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Malaysia, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Uganda, and the Republic of Uzbekistan as BRICS partner countries, to the first standalone BRICS Foreign Minsters Meeting since their admission as BRICS Partner countries on 1 January 2025.

Ministers from BRICS and Partner countries engaged in a session on The Role of the Global South in Reinforcing Multilateralism. In his remarks, Minister Lamola noted that South Africa has put Partner Country model on table during 2023 Johannesburg BRICS Summit. He noted that the Global South is the driving force for change and global institutions like the United Nations, the World Bank, and the IMF often reflect outdated power structures and must adapt to the present-day shared responsibilities it occupies. The Global South is no longer a marginalised silent partner in global affairs. It is a rising force with growing political, economic, and cultural influence.

Minister Lamola underscored that while traditional multilateralism has often flowed from North to South, the Global South has demonstrated how regional and inter-regional collaboration can chart a new path. From the African Continental Free Trade Area to ASEAN’s regional initiatives and BRICS’ growing economic influence, these platforms show that development can be driven by solidarity, mutual respect, and shared challenges.

He concluded by highlighting that as the President of the G20, the first Presidency on African soil, South Africa is also seeking to amplify the continued value of the G20 as a forum of the world’s largest developing and developed economies.

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