(MENAFN) South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on BRICS member states to take a more proactive stance in addressing international disputes and influencing the structure of global institutions.

During his speech at the opening session of the 17th BRICS Summit, currently being held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Ramaphosa underlined the urgent necessity of diplomatic efforts to help bring an end to persistent conflicts.

Expressing concern over current humanitarian crises, Ramaphosa stated, “We remain deeply concerned by the heavy human toll of conflicts in Russia and Ukraine, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and Gaza, among others.”

He emphasized that BRICS “must find just and lasting solutions to these devasting conflicts,” underscoring the group's potential to mediate such crises effectively.

The South African leader’s appeal comes in the context of rising discontent among countries of the Global South, who view current international bodies as inadequate in handling large-scale emergencies.

At an earlier BRICS summit, Ramaphosa had contended that “peace and security across the world require the collective will of the community of nations,” advocating for a united global approach to peacebuilding.

He further highlighted BRICS' expanding geographical presence and growing strategic influence, which he believes uniquely positions the bloc to advocate for overhauling global governance mechanisms.

Ramaphosa encouraged BRICS to amplify its unified voice in calling for “a global framework that is inclusive, representative, and anchored in the principles of sovereignty, equality, and peaceful coexistence.”

This message from Ramaphosa has been widely reported by news agencies around the world, reinforcing the significance of BRICS in shaping a more balanced international order.

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