PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has emphasised the importance of the Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) summit as a pivotal opportunity to enhance coordination efforts across Africa.
He stressed that such collaboration will enable a more robust response to global, social, political, economic, and environmental challenges.
Addressing the 15th BRICS summit being held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, President Hichilema underscored the necessity for African nations to work together closely.
President Hichilema said regional collaborations among African countries must be pursued in engaging the BRICS new development bank to finance regional infrastructure projects in critical sectors such as transport and energy, among others.
“The theme partnership for mutually accelerated growth, sustainable development and inclusive multilateralism is most appropriate during this time when most of our countries in the continent are searching for sustainable solutions to address unprecedented economic challenges of our time.
This summit should be a stepping stone to bolster coordination between BRICS and Africa for effective response to Global, Social, Political, Economic and Environmental challenges,” he said.
President Hichilema also extended congratulations to his counterpart, the President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, for convening the BRICS – Africa summit and the BRICS Plus dialogues.
He said Zambia is eager to strengthen partnerships that bring mutual benefits, and is also keen on fortifying economic ties with like-minded countries, based on the complementary nature of resources.
“The BRICS community, representing more than 42% of the global population, 30% of the world’s territory, 23% of GDP, and 18% of global trade, presents significant opportunities. I wish to state that Zambia is open to enhancing partnerships that are mutually beneficial and is open to strengthening economic ties with like-minded countries based on complementary of resources,” he said.
President Hichilema further advocated for a revitalized international order that is rule-based, fair, and inclusive, addressing opportunities and challenges in solidarity to achieve outcomes that are mutually beneficial.
(Mwebantu, Thursday, 24th August, 2023)