Background

The 16th annual BRICS Summit took place on 22-24 October in Kazan, Russia, with new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates participating for the first time amid major geopolitical shifts. As BRICS expands its influence and membership, particularly with the inclusion of more African countries, these summits provide a valuable platform for cooperation on critical issues such as trade, investment, and sustainable development.

The summit underscored the importance of a multipolar world where the perspectives and priorities of the Global South are recognised and ended with a declaration to strengthen multilateralism for a more just and democratic world order, development and security. The shared commitments and cohesion of the bloc were highlighted, and the Russian Chairship commended for a successful summit. However, in the aftermath, several questions still remain. What was achieved and pledged at BRICS 2024? Was the summit among the most or least significant of the BRICS convenings? What do these ambitions mean for intra-BRICS cooperation and BRICS-Africa relations? How can BRICS consolidate its progress so far, and were there missed opportunities? Most crucially, what does the future hold in store for the bloc?

The Event

To answer these questions and more, APRI – Africa Policy Research Institute and the University of Johannesburg are hosting a webinar to discuss and reflect on the summit's key outcomes and provide forward-looking recommendations on enhancing the framework of intra-BRICS cooperation and BRICS-Africa relations. The event will also discuss papers in the BRICS thought leadership series launched by APRI and the University of Johannesburg and serve as a platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration between scholars, policymakers and any other interested parties in advancing discussions around Africa’s interests at the BRICS summit and bloc.

The Speakers

Yemisi Olawale
Panelist

Yemisi Olawale is an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Ibadan.

Makgamatha Mpho Gift
Panelist

Makgamatha Mpho Gift is a Senior Researcher for Research and Policy Development at the South African BRICS Youth Association.

Ndzalama Mathebula
Panelist

Ndzalama Mathebula is an Assistant Lecturer at the Department of Politics and International Relations of University of Johannesburg.

Mihaela Papa
Panelist

Mihaela Papa, PhD, is the Director of Research and Principal Research Scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Center for International Studies.

Rocio Ceballos
Panelist

Rocio Ceballos is an advanced student in the Master’s programme in Economic Sociology, Interdisciplinary School of Advanced Social Studies at National University of San Martin.

Andrea Molinari
Panelist

Andrea Molinari, PhD, is a researcher at CONICET/CEED-EIDAES-UNSAM.

Moderation

Prof. Bhaso Ndzendze
Moderator

Prof. Bhaso Ndzendze is Vice-Dean of Internationalisation and Associate Professor at the Department of Politics and International Relations of the University of Johannesburg.