The Brics bloc, which has previously been composed of Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa, continues to make waves in international relations.

This year’s South Africa Chairship of the Summit follows the additional entry of new member countries: Argentina, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Through prioritising cooperation and collaboration, the former five-member bloc has achieved various benefits for themselves and the broader community of nations. Most noticeable is the creation of the New Development Bank, now led by Dilma Rousseff President and Vice President Vladimir Kazbekov.

Their project profile is significant beyond measure. Some of the programmes comprise Transnet’s five-year capital expenditure plan aimed at improving the competitiveness and sustainability of rail logistics in South Africa.

The Rail network infrastructure renewal and rehabilitation works, the Locomotives and wagon fleet renewal, replacement and rehabilitation works. This R17.50 billion Transport Infrastructure Projected ensures improved rail asset condition and efficiency. It is currently assisting a modal shift from road to rail and decreasing the freight transport cost for the South African economy. This development can be traced directly to the 2019 ANC Manifestor.

President Ramaphosa declared that his Investment Plan aimed to increase the levels of investment by R1.2 trillion over the next five years to grow our economy and create jobs. With the Assistance of BRICS Development Bank, the ANC Government has created a publicly-led infrastructure fund to build more roads, transport networks, ICT systems, energy generation, and distribution capacity.

One of the most significant benefits of the formation has been its commitment to multilateralism. The member countries can strengthen the international rules and norms underpinning global governance by working together. The broadening of BRICS Membership, in turn, leads to more stability and predictability in international affairs, which benefits all countries, not just those in the BRICS alliance.

Another benefit of BRICS is its ability to promote economic growth and development.

By sharing best practices and resources, the member countries can learn from each other and take advantage of their collective strengths. According to the BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers led by Minister TW Nxesi, this collaborative forum declared to focus on creating decent work related to trade and investment. The significant declaration of this meeting is the universal access to social protection and ensuring a minimum basic income. The path to closing the inequality wage gap has to first focus on ensuring dignity for all people; economic growth without dignity and not centred on the needs of the people is futile.

BRICS has also been instrumental in promoting peace and security worldwide. The member countries have addressed various regional and global challenges, from climate change to terrorism. These efforts have helped build trust and understanding between nations, essential for a more peaceful and prosperous world. By prioritising cooperation and collaboration, the member countries can achieve more than they could alone. Whether promoting economic growth, strengthening international rules and norms, or promoting peace and security, BRICS is a powerful force for positive change in the world.

Building and developing skills and transforming the Education of the Future. The priority to drive the benefits of Africa’s intraframe has been a vision of President Ramaphosa and the African Union for some time.

The African Continental Free Trade Area creates a predictable environment for investments by South Africa’s BRICS partners, particularly in infrastructure development. Each of the BRICS nations has active partnerships in cooperation, trade, and development on the African continent. Under this priority, S.A. will look at building a partnership between BRICS and Africa to unlock mutually beneficial opportunities for increased trade, investment, and infrastructure development.

One of the most significant declarations is the BRICS priory to strengthening multilateralism, including working toward real reform of global governance institutions and strengthening the meaningful participation of women in peace processes.

Declaration 75, which lists ‘Deepening People-to-People Exchanges’ as a critical priority, should find resonance among people from Nairobi, Accra and people in township dwellings in Cape Town. The leadership reaffirmed the importance of BRICS people-to-people exchanges in enhancing mutual understanding, friendship, and cooperation, especially in media, culture education, arts, and academic exchanges. People-to-people exchanges are essential in enriching our societies and developing our economies. As such, during the 2023 BRICS Media Forum, the BRICS Africa Channel, which I Lead, signed a memorandum of news exchange with Xinhua News Agency and the Ghana Broadcasting Cooperation. These practical partnerships and collaborations mean we can tell our stories and share our perspectives directly with our audiences about the critical events shaping the new world, a better world of inclusivity and meaningful representation.

This Month, I will travel to Beijing, China, to forge more collaborations at the Global Video Media Forum. This event marks the tenth anniversary since Chinese President Xi Jinping first proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, a vision for a shared future. As African media leaders, we must tell our constituencies the new world possibilities, realities, and benefits for Africa to broaden and diversify perspectives for media consumers.

As media leaders who uphold the principles of openness and inclusivity, we should embrace media ethics and attendant responsibilities and strengthen media collaborations. Africa has a rich tapestry of innovative cooperation models that can contribute to addressing the challenges of the globe. We need to give more space to our audiences to participate in these new developments and the creation of an Advanced United Africa and a multipolar, just world!

The writer is the President of TV BRICS Africa.