The Covid-19 pandemic, he assured, has reinforced our conviction that representative multilateralism is fundamental to achieve a sustainable future for all.

Therefore, he said, we welcome the Joint Declaration on Strengthening and Reform of the Multilateral System, issued by our foreign ministers in June 2021.

Likewise, Ramaphosa added, we call on the BRICS to be equally bold and resolute in pursuing the reform of the United Nations Security Council.

Among other issues, the president explained that the reform would allow Africa to take its rightful place among other nations in that crucial body.

During his speech, the South African president also addressed the issue of relations among countries to better deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.

The global disease, he recalled, has had a devastating impact on human life, livelihoods, economies and communities around the world.

However, he noted, our collective response has shown what can be achieved when we work in conjunction.

Accordingly, as BRICS countries, in addition to supporting the global economic recovery and improving the resilience of all our public systems, we must guarantee equitable access to vaccines against Covid-19, diagnostics and therapeutics.

Each of us, as leaders of the BRICS nations, must do our fair share to support the waiver of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights to ensure a rapid expansion of the production of vaccines against Covid-19 around the world.

Nowadays, in the final decade towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, we must remain focused on achieving better health outcomes, while pursuing the goals of quality education, decent work, climate action, peace and justice, Ramaphosa concluded.

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