Media Statement
20 May 2022
Standalone BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs / International Relations Meeting and the first BRICS Plus Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue
On 19 May 2022, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, participated in the virtual edition of the Fifth Standalone BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Meeting as well as the first BRICS Plus Foreign Minister’s Dialogue with counterparts from emerging markets and developing countries.
The meeting was hosted by China, in its capacity as the incumbent BRICS Chair, under the theme: “Strengthen BRICS Solidarity and Cooperation, Respond to New Features and Challenges in International Situation.” The meeting was opened with a video message from President Xi.
The BRICS Plus Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue meeting took place under the theme: “Increased Role of Emerging Markets and Developing Countries in Global Governance.”
The BRICS Plus Foreign Ministers invited to the dialogue were Argentina, Egypt, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.
While a BRICS Plus outreach has been held before on the margins of the Summit, this is the first time that non-BRICS Foreign Ministers were invited to a BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
It will be recalled that South Africa initiated the BRICS Outreach programme during its first Chairship of BRICS in 2013. South Africa continues to champion engagements with our regions as well as other like-minded members of the Global South.
The meeting has endorsed a Joint Statement entitled: “Strengthen BRICS Solidarity and Cooperation, Respond to New Features and Challenges in International Situation”.
South Africa, as the incoming BRICS Chair for 2023, will host the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Meeting in September 2022, in New York, on the margins of UNGA77.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
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