SPONSORED FEATURE 10th brics summit Towards the second decade of strategic cooperation

President Cyril Ramaphosa novation in a global economic environment requiring much his week I will have the needed cooperation to foster opportunity to host my greater economic growth and fellow BRICS Counter- development. The Leaders parts on the occasion “stressed the importance to fos- Tof the 10th BRICS Summit. The ter an innovative, invigorated, year 2018 holds special signifi- interconnected and inclusive cance in the BRICS historical world economy to usher in a trajectory as it concludes the new era of global growth and first decade of BRICS Summits sustainable development”. The at the highest diplomatic level. BRICS countries have set them- This year is also important as selves on a path to realise the the BRICS Chairship coincides empowerment of our countries with the Year of Nelson Man- in the next phase of global eco- dela, as South Africa and indeed nomic development. the world celebrates the centen- global economy especially in ordination and fostering innov- In addressing STI and its ary of his birth. the context of future of eco- ative economic development strategies, especially in the I have conveyed to my nomic development. based on advanced technologies context of the 4th Industrial counterparts that during this In 2013, at the Meeting of and skills development with Revolution, BRICS has been event, it is South Africa’s in- BRICS Ministers of Science, a view to building knowledge cognisant of the significant tention to reflect on the decade Technology and Innovation economies”. developments notably, (i) the long cooperation and chart the (STI) held in Cape Town, the During India’s Chairship Internet of Things (IoT); (ii) Big way forward as we usher in the BRICS member countries re- of BRICS in 2016, the Jaipur Data and cloud computing; (iii) second decade of BRICS cooper- cognised the need to develop Declaration was endorsed Artificial Intelligence (AI); and ation. It is with this in mind that STI cooperation and in sub- by BRICS Leaders. Setting (iv) automation and robotics, South Africa has chosen the sequent meetings further re- the ground for strengthened the impact thereof in our way theme for the 10th BRICS Sum- inforced this need for the ad- cooperation in STI by identify- of life such as in manufactur- mit to be: “BRICS in Africa: Col- vancement of innovation. The ing 19 priority areas, notably (i) ing and their potential with re- laboration for Inclusive Growth BRICS Action Plan for Innov- innovation advancement and gards to health with the advent and Shared Prosperity in the ation Cooperation for the per- technology transfer; (ii) science of nanotechnology and biotech- 4th Industrial Revolution”. iod 2017 – 2020, adopted in 2017, parks and incubators; and (iii) nology. This theme is reflective of stressed the primacy of innov- geospatial technology and its South Africa during its the core priorities of BRICS as ation as a key to global sustain- application. China as part of its Chairship, and as reflected in developed in the first decade of able development as it unlocks hosting of the G20 Summit in the theme, seeks to consolidate the Forum’s strategic cooper- human potential through entre- Hangzhou (Hangzhou Summit) the multi-sectoral progress ation. The BRICS Forum has preneurship, job creation and in 2016 also broadened the scope that has been made by BRICS committed itself to the creation economic growth for the benefit by facilitating the adoption of members and build towards of inclusive development, by of society. the G20 Blueprint on Innovative the realisation of alleviating advancing global partnerships The BRICS countries also es- Growth and the G20 New Indus- our common challenges by based on mutual benefit and tablished a broad framework for trial Revolution Action Plan. At establishing a framework on openness, and that are reflective increased cooperation with re- the crux of BRICS cooperation the 4th Industrial Revolution of the need to address common gards to economic development is the need to ensure innovative geared towards support for in- challenges that will bring pros- and growth and the groups’ growth by addressing common dustrialisation and sustainable perity to all humankind. global competitiveness in 2015 challenges of poverty, inequal- development. The reality that is the 4th increased with the adoption of ity, social exclusion and bridg- South Africa moreover wish- Industrial Revolution has ac- the BRICS Strategy for Econom- ing the technological gap. es to seize the opportunity pre- corded us an opportunity to ic Partnership. The Strategy for BRICS Leaders in acknow- sented by its 2018 Chairship of express our core principles and Economic Partnership set an ledging the progress made at BRICS to reiterate its commit- navigate a global environment outline for inclusive growth and the Hangzhou Summit noted ment to further strengthening that is already on the precipice shared prosperity for BRICS and celebrated the emphasis relations with and amongst its of a dynamic shift in terms of members by advocating for on the developmental agenda BRICS partners, the African South African President Cyril Ramaphosa hosting the 10th BRICS Summit international politics and the greater “macro-economic co- and the need to promote in- continent and the Global South.