Ramaphosa heads to New Delhi as BRICS meets amid global tensions and calls for reform

President Cyril Ramaphosa will travel to New Delhi to attend the 18th BRICS Summit on 12–13 September 2026, where South Africa intends to press for deeper trade, investment and changes to global governance amid rising international tensions.

Summit context and South Africa’s priorities

South Africa will join fellow BRICS leaders at a meeting hosted under India’s chairship theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Security.” Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the summit will focus on strengthening BRICS cooperation through a people‑centred development agenda, expanding trade and investment, enhancing financial and institutional collaboration, and advancing reform of the United Nations and international financial institutions.

What Pretoria plans to push

Magwenya said South Africa will use the platform to advance its economic diplomacy priorities, particularly expanding intra‑BRICS trade and investment, promoting industrialisation and value addition, and mobilising investment in African infrastructure aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Summit agenda and formats

The summit programme will include sessions on “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism” and “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth.” Proceedings are scheduled to conclude with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration.

Leaders, members and participation

BRICS now lists as full members Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Partner states and invited countries will also take part in New Delhi.

Global tensions shaping discussions

Magwenya emphasised that talks will take place against a tense global backdrop, citing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, escalating tensions among major powers, trade wars, sanctions and widening rifts between the United States and its European allies.

“Leaders will deliberate on unity within the expanded BRICS membership, advancing global governance reform, and the interests of the Global South – all while navigating conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, and broader major‑power competition that undermines development and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Business and industry engagement

Ramaphosa is expected to participate in the BRICS Business Forum Leaders’ Dialogue, which will bring together leaders and business representatives to discuss trade and supply chains, agriculture, women‑led development, the digital economy and innovation. South Africa’s chapters of the BRICS Business Council and BRICS Women’s Business Alliance will take part to support efforts to deepen commercial ties.

South African delegation

President Ramaphosa will be supported at the summit by International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, and Deputy Trade Minister Zuko Godlimpi.