GOOD Statement by Brett Herron,
GOOD Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
24 August 2023
South Africa did itself proud in hosting a successful BRICS summit that will go down in history as a turning point in post-Cold War global power relations.
The expansion of BRICS to include Egypt, the UAE, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Argentina and Ethiopia creates an important counterpoint to the social and economic interests of the global north in a radically unequal world.
It is particularly welcome to see African countries afforded front-row seats at a global table. Africa has been asset-stripped and marginalised for the past 500+ years.
BRICS must, however, play more than a geo-political balancing role; membership must bring practical benefits including trade benefits, the beneficiation of raw products and the export of manufactured goods.
The BRICS countries include critical players in the development of renewable energy. South Africa will do well to build on the energy partnership with China announced prior to the summit to achieve energy security and invigorate the just transition.
BRICS also has an important role to play in bringing the Russia-Ukraine conflict to a peaceful end. South Africa has struggled to sustain the credibility of its “neutral” stance on the conflict, with some accusing us of being a Russian handmaid.
With the support of BRICS partners, South Africa must aggressively pursue a negotiated end to the fighting. It is an opportunity to restore our global standing as the embodiment of peaceful negotiators.
Last but not least, South Africa has a responsibility to foster the development of human rights, among its BRICS partners and globally.
Media Enquiries:
Brett Herron, GOOD Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
Cell: 082 518 3264
Email: bretth@forgood.org.za
Samantha Jackson, GOOD Acting Media Manager
Cell: 083 550 9875
Email: media@forgood.org.za