There is great potential for members of the expanded Brics group to cooperate in ensuring energy security. (Photo: Shutterstock)
3 min read Last updated: October 5, 2024 | 7:56 AM IST
South Africa’s Energy and Power Minister Kgosienzo Ramokopa said at the 9th BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting in Moscow earlier this week that there is great potential for member countries of the expanded BRICS group to work together to ensure their own energy security. He said there is.
“This Brics group of like-minded member states has great potential and by working together we will strengthen this resolve through cooperation on energy security and the challenges identified at the Brics Summit in 2023. “We believe that this will also provide an opportunity to participate in efforts to eradicate South Africa’s challenges, including addressing the lack or lack of an integrated energy policy framework,” Ramokgopa said.
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The minister said the meeting was held at “an important stage when both countries are grappling with the challenge of balancing development goals and energy transition pathways.”
“We will ensure that this transition leaves no one behind, while safeguarding energy sovereignty and security, promoting sustainable economic development, promoting universal access, and effectively addressing environmental imperatives. “We must ensure that we respond accordingly,” he said.
Commenting on the fact that this is the first meeting to include new members of the BRICS Group who joined earlier this year, Mr. Ramokgopa said that the expansion of BRICS membership underlines the growing importance and influence of the BRICS Group on the global energy agenda. He said it would be confirmed.
Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates were admitted in January as new members of the original BRICS group, which included Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
“This is a pivotal moment, as the Brics countries reshape the world’s energy architecture to ensure energy access, security and affordability, eradicate energy poverty and promote a just energy transition. We are in a position to build, refocus and reset,” Ramokgopa said.
He stressed that South Africa’s approach to an inclusive and people-centred energy transition was shaped by the need to maintain energy security in support of socio-economic objectives.
“To this effect, we urge the BRICS member states to take advantage of our various capabilities and strengths, dig deeper and support each other to ensure that we exploit the individual potentials at our disposal. I would like to encourage them to do so,” Ramokopa said. A wide range of areas where South Africa’s expertise and resources could benefit partner countries, such as rare earth elements needed to drive a green economy.
Ramogopa said platforms such as this year’s G20 host Brazil and South Africa in 2025 should be used to promote a “commonly shared worldview as developing countries.”
(Only the headline and photo in this report may have been reworked by Business Standard staff. The rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
First publication date: October 5, 2024 | 7:56 AM IST
