The South African government has described the 10th summit of the world’s leading emerging markets of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS), which concluded on Friday, as “successful.”
BRICS leaders, business delegates and representatives from African countries that are not BRICS members also attended the summit. Heads of states from Togo, Rwanda, Uganda, and Senegal were present at the three day summit.
In a press conference addressed bv South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday after the Summit, he said BRICS was not a talk shop but a forum of five countries that want to see actions, adding that the BRICS countries would work together to be a leading edge in the 4th industrial revolution.
“We can neither ignore nor take for granted the reality that is the 4th industrial revolution and the impact that it will have on the global economy,” said President Ramaphosa earlier on Friday.
“We need to equip our people with the necessary skills to thrive in such a society and in such an economy.”
He stressed the grouping of BRICS is truly alive and has an impact on the people as a whole.
South Africa hosted the BRICS summit for the second time. The theme for the 10th BRICS Summit is “BRICS in Africa: Collaboration for Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity in the 4th Industrial Revolution.”
There are indications that intra-BRICS trade is growing, but the countries want this to increase further.
BRICS nations also want to establish a counterterrorism coalition to boost the fight against terrorist acts which have affected member countries including India.
While leaders focused on key issues, they also took some time off to get imprints of their hands made to be kept at Maropeng, next to those of former President Nelson Mandela
At the same time Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, met on Thursday and exchanged in-depth views on current international situation.
The two heads of state held a meeting and also had dinner together on the sidelines of the 10th BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. During the meeting, they also touched upon major issues of common concern.
Russia, India, China and South Africa extended full support to Brazil for its BRICS chairship in 2019 and the hosting of the 11th BRICS Summit
