Johnathan Paoli
Deputy President Paul Mashatile in his opening remarks at the BRICS Parliamentary Forum Assembly, called for utilising the opportunity to strengthen the BRICS-Africa partnership and promote a rules-based approach towards a just global order.
The 9th BRICS Parliamentary Forum Assembly kicked off on Wednesday morning, under the theme “Harnessing Multilateralism and Parliamentary Diplomacy to Deepen BRICS and Africa Partnership for accelerated implementation of the Africa Free-Trade Agreement” at the Emperor’s Palace, Kempton Park is expected to be attended by 250 delegates.
Following the 15th BRICS Summit led by heads of the five BRICS countries last month, the forum will be presided over by South Africa’s National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and aims to foster stronger parliamentary ties and deeper cooperation among the BRICS member states.
Mapisa-Nqakula said this forum would reflect a multifaceted commitment to collaboration, partnership, and progress and underscores the determination of BRICS nations and Africa to shape a world characterized by shared prosperity, cooperative diplomacy, and collective advancement.
She said that through focused discussions, informed decisions, and cultural exchange, the assembly seeks to lay the foundation for a brighter future built upon dialogue, diplomacy, and meaningful action.
“Through the BRICS Parliamentary Forum, member parliaments have a critical role in overseeing legislative actions and monitoring executive branch decisions. To effectively carry out this responsibility, lawmakers scrutinize the outcomes of the heads of state summit,” Speaker Mapisa-Nqakula said.
Some of the objectives of the forum include strengthened BRICS-Africa collaboration, accelerated implementation of the Africa Free-Trade Agreement, enhanced Parliamentary diplomacy, policy alignment and harmonization, informed decision making, cultural exchange and interpersonal bonds between the delegates of the members gathered.
Mashatile said the Forum identified several issues which require continuous discussion, refinement and programmatic plans of action; including the role of the UN in international affairs, the consolidation of multilateral structures, reform of the Security Council, and the fairness of the international legal system.
And the Forum held the possibility to exert change on a global and unprecedented scale and that BRICS has focused the imagination of the world’s population beyond the citizens of its member states.
In light of the de-colonial struggle of the past and the current contemporary need for a shift to multilateral and multipolar centres of development, Mashatile said 54 countries have signed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) agreement, which is expected to be the world’s largest single-free trade area, with 1.3 billion people and a gross domestic product of $3.4 trillion.
The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area will improve intra-African trade, the continent’s share and participation in global trade, stimulate and improve the economy as well as contribute to lifting millions of people out of poverty.
“As a continent, we look forward to engaging with our BRICS partners to realise the implementation of the ACFTA and thus create a win-win solution for all,” Mashatile said.
The deputy president concluded with a call to strengthen cooperation between BRICS and the continent.
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