Diaspora, Africa – (African Boulevard News) – As BRICS ministers gather in Cape Town to discuss global issues, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, launched a critique of developed nations who fail to reform and transform global institutions, saying “the plight of the poor is forgotten”.
Speaking at the BRICS Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting, Pandor highlighted the need for the group to address the imbalances and inequalities in the global economic system. “As we celebrate our twentieth anniversary as BRICS we must reflect on the challenges that BRICS countries face in advancing our interests in an international system that is stacked against us,” she said.
Pandor also urged the development of mechanisms that can help developing countries address poverty, inequality and underdevelopment. “We should actively address the plight of the poor, the marginalized and vulnerable members of our societies, who are too often forgotten in the global discourse,” she added.
The meeting comes at a time of great uncertainty for the global economy, with the world facing a deep recession due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also a time of great opportunity for BRICS to take a leading role in shaping the future of the world economy.
The BRICS group includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which together account for approximately 42% of the world’s population and 23% of global GDP. The group was formed in 2006 in order to promote cooperation and growth among the five emerging economies.
Though the group has had its share of challenges, including political instability in Brazil, economic recession in Russia, and strained relations between India and China, it continues to be an important force in global governance.
As the world looks to the future, the BRICS group will undoubtedly play a critical role in shaping the global economic landscape. With the right policies and leadership, the group can help create a more equitable and sustainable world, where the plight of the poor is not forgotten.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to work towards a more just and equitable world order, with the BRICS ministers pledging to do their part to address the challenges facing the world today. As Pandor noted, “We must never forget that the fate of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people is in our hands.”
