Addis Ababa: Ethiopia’s inclusion in BRICS brings many benefits and is crucial to advance the African agenda within the bloc, South Africa’s Permanent Representative to the UN Mathu Joyini told ENA.

According to her, Ethiopia’s joining of BRICS brings many benefits both for the country and the group; and it is a crucial move to advancing the African agenda within BRICS for many reasons.

‘Ethiopia has been a member of BRICS, and as you know BRICS looks at a number of issues, different areas of collaboration. I think Ethiopia brings a lot to the BRICS membership.’

BRICS focuses on a number of issues, including finance for development, and other areas of cooperation in various fields.

Ethiopia’s strategic location in the Horn of Africa, coupled with its role as the host of the African Union, provide invaluable insights into the development and growth needs of the continent, she pointed out.

Joyini believes that ‘Ethiopia is in touch with what the needs are, of the entire continent.’

Ethiopia’s economic gro
wth trajectory, particularly its recent status as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, makes it a valuable asset to BRICS, she added.

‘Ethiopia in its own right is one of the important countries,’ the representative said, adding that ‘not so long ago, Ethiopia was the fastest growing economies; and I believe it having seen what I have seen since I have been in the capital. Growth is important to your country.’

There is a potential for enhanced collaboration between the two African countries to advance African agenda in BRICS.

‘Definitely, being in BRICS together with South Africa is important. We pursue within BRICS the agenda of African countries,’ Joyini emphasized.

Ethiopia and South Africa, which are BRICS members both from Africa, have also been enjoying a strong bilateral ties and multilateral cooperation.

‘Our relations are bilateral relations. Don’t start with BRICS. Our relations have always been strong at bilateral or multilateral levels,’ she elaborated.

Joyini expressed her confiden
ce that the expanded membership of BRICS, which includes Ethiopia, will strengthen relationships and the bloc’s ability to address the priorities of African countries.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency