BRICS countries pledge commitment to multilateralism

Senior diplomats from the BRICS nations have met in the South African city of Pretoria, pledging to strengthen cooperation among the group and reaffirming their commitment to multilateralism.

At the Formal Meeting of the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi is calling on the BRICS countries to consolidate their cooperation, seek common development and uphold multilateralism.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks at the Formal Meeting of the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs held in Pretoria, South Africa, on Monday, June 4, 2018. [Photo: China Plus/Gao Junya]

While acknowledging the constructive role the group has played in boosting world development through the past decade, Wang Yi says the world is now undergoing unprecedented changes.

He notes that the changing circumstances require the BRICs countries for a broader strategic vision, more collective efforts and a stronger will to shoulder responsibilities.

"The BRICS should serve as the powerful engine of global economic growth, providing a lasting driving force. In face of the rapid development of the new industrial revolution, the BRICS needs to speed up their efforts in industrial transformation and upgrading. Member countries also need to strengthen our coordination in macroeconomic policies, constructing an open world economy opposing trade protectionism and upholding our common interest and development," Wang Yi said.

Wang Yi is also urging BRICS countries to work together and build a second golden decade for the group.

The Chinese top diplomat has emphasized the need to uphold multilateralism so as to seek development and prosperity for the whole world:

"The most importance consensus we've reached at this meeting is our commitment to multilateralism. Currently, the world order, norms and rules are challenged by unilateralism. Under such circumstances, it's necessary for the BRICS countries to deliver one common voice and take one consistent position, upholding the UN Charter and sticking to multilateralism."

South African Minister of International Relation and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu has echoed that sentiment, suggesting multilateralism is the way to maintain peace and development.

"We stand firm on the importance and promotion of multilateralism with the UN and its bodies as the center. We want to make sure at this particular meeting, we sent out a clear message, that multilateralism is the only way if we want to be sustainable for peace and growth," Sisulu noted.

The five delegates to the meeting have also discussed expanding cultural and people-to-people exchanges and actively promoting exchanges and cooperation with other emerging markets and developing countries.

The top agenda of the meeting is to lay the groundwork for the upcoming 10th BRICS summit to be held in Johannesburg in July.

The BRICS countries include Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

During his time in South Africa, Wang Yi has also held bilateral talks with the foreign ministers from South Africa, Russia and India.

He has also met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.