Rio de janeiro: President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for enhanced global cooperation and urgent reform of international governance structures amid the ‘dramatic reshaping of global dynamics-politically, economically, technologically, and environmentally’.
According to South African Government News Agency, President Ramaphosa made these remarks during the opening of the 17th BRICS Summit, currently underway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He emphasized the critical need for multilateral collaboration to address escalating global tensions and institutional inefficiencies.
“With this change comes both opportunity and uncertainty. As conflicts persist, as new threats emerge, and as old institutions falter, the pursuit of global peace and security has never been more urgent or more complex,” the President stated.
President Ramaphosa participated in the first session of the BRICS Summit, where he delivered an intervention under the theme: ‘Peace and Security, Reform of Global Governance’. He highlighted the need to reform the United Nations Security Council to make it more democratic, regionally representative, and accountable.
He noted that the United Nations, particularly the Security Council-which is the preeminent instrument for maintaining international peace and security-has too often failed to meet today’s challenges. “In responding to these challenges-ranging from humanitarian crises to open acts of aggression-the Security Council has become too rigid, too narrow, and too disconnected from today’s multipolar realities. Reform is a necessity. The Security Council must be made more democratic, more regionally representative, and more accountable,” the President said.
To further enable sustainable peace, the President emphasized the need for strong regional peace mechanisms. “We must give them the resources and authority they need to lead efforts in dialogue, mediation, and de-escalation. Localized responses, grounded in cultural and geopolitical understanding, are the frontline of peacebuilding. The linkages between peace, security, and development require a more comprehensive approach to conflict prevention and peacebuilding; an approach that addresses the underlying causes of conflict,” he said.
Highlighting the role of BRICS in this evolving landscape, President Ramaphosa noted that BRICS is increasingly shaping global debates on development, multipolar governance, and security matters. With a broad geographical footprint and growing influence, BRICS is uniquely positioned to advocate for reform in global governance structures. He called on BRICS to strengthen its voice in calling for a global framework that is inclusive, representative, and anchored in the principles of sovereignty, equality, and peaceful coexistence. “BRICS must continue to strengthen its cooperation on key security issues, including counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and transnational crime,” the President said.
President Ramaphosa commended BRICS’ focus on a global digital governance framework that is inclusive, transparent, and rooted in the principles of the United Nations. He reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to the full implementation of the BRICS Counter Terrorism Strategy. The country remains steadfast in its support for the United Nations’ central role in global counterterrorism efforts.
President Ramaphosa also raised South Africa’s concerns at the deteriorating peace and security situation in the Middle East. He condemned the recent attacks by Israel and the United States on the Islamic Republic of Iran, warning that the attacks raise serious concerns of international law, including the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the protection of civilians. He emphasized the importance of peaceful resolution through dialogue, drawing from South Africa’s own experience. “We must continue to advocate for the urgent intensification of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and ensure sustainable and lasting peace. 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. We must find just and lasting solutions to these devastating conflicts. Achieving and maintaining peace and security requires the collective will of the community of nations,” President Ramaphosa said.
During the BRICS Summit session, Heads of State and Government are expected to deliberate on issues pertaining to global governance reform, peace and security, the ongoing humanitarian impact of Israeli military action in Gaza and in conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine, and Iran, advocating for the sustainable resolution of conflicts through diplomacy, inclusive dialogue, and a commitment to the United Nations Charter. The summit will also look into synergies between BRICS, COP30, and G20 outcomes, including in global governance of artificial intelligence and prioritizing climate finance that is just, accessible, and transformational.