Ramaphosa Touches Down in Rio: What It Means for South Africa and Global South

 


https://www.reuters.com/world/china/leaders-growing-brics-group-gather-rio-summit-2025-07-06/

Noko Mabofa Maleka 

Insight Jozi news 

🇿🇦↔️🇧🇷 Ramaphosa Touches Down in Rio: What It Means for South Africa and Global South

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 6 July 2025, to attend the 17th BRICS Summit, held 6–7 July under the theme “Inclusive and Sustainable Global South” . His delegation includes Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola .

🧭 Summit Context & Key Themes

Key Aspect Details

BRICS Expansion Now includes 11 countries—founded by B, R, I, C, S and expanded with Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE  

Host Nation Brazil — chaired by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva 

Absent Leaders China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin are only represented by their officials 

Agenda Priorities Reform of global institutions (like IMF, UN Security Council), trade cooperation, climate finance, green energy, AI & digital governance 

📌 Strategic South African Objectives

Global Voice Amplification: Representing both African and Global South interests to push for multilateral reform.

Economic Agenda: Seeking alternatives to exploitative tariff regimes, reducing dollar dependence, and fostering intra-GLOBAL‑SOUTH trade.

Environmental & Climate Leadership: Brazil, alongside key BRICS partners, is advancing solidarity on climate finance, notably the “Tropical Forests Forever Facility” .

🇿🇦–🇧🇷 Bilateral Diplomatic Significance

South Africa and Brazil, long-time BRICS members with parallel South-focused development goals, have fostered strong bilateral relations in areas such as trade, education, energy, and nuclear cooperation . The summit offers a critical opportunity to deepen cooperation under a slate of long-standing agreements—from customs facilitation to higher education pacts.

🌍 Summit Stakes: What’s at Play

Multilateral Reform Front: Brazil is steering a united call for transformation of UN and global financial systems—yet China and Russia's absence and the bloc's new diversity may complicate consensus .

U.S. Tariffs & Protectionism: A united BRICS front is expected to push back on “unjustified unilateral protectionist measures” like rising U.S. tariffs .

Climate Diplomacy: With Brazil’s G20 hosting this target and COP28 ahead, expect strong emphasis on forest finance cooperation, clean energy, and vaccine equity .

Geopolitical Alignment: Iran, as a new member, may rally support on nuclear and trade fronts—while the absence of major powers could diminish leadership clarity .

🔭 What to Watch From South Africa's Lens

1. Final Communiqué: Will BRICS push for UN Security Council reforms and financial new frameworks?

2. Bilateral Talks: Will Ramaphosa secure specific deals with Brazil or other heads in investment, trade, or climate finance?


3. Concluding Momentum: Can the bloc, with new members and patchwork leadership involvement, convert deliberation into concrete strategy?

#Insight #Jozi #JoziNews #RamaphosaInRio #BRICSSummit #GlobalSouth #Multilateralism #ClimateFinance #SouthAfrica #Brazil #Diplomatics







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