Johannesburg: Zanele Sabela, spokesperson for the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), has called for greater focus on inclusive economic growth and stronger trade among BRICS member states. Sabela emphasized that such efforts would advance the objectives for which BRICS was established, particularly in promoting economic cooperation and people-centered development.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Sabela made these remarks at the 2026 summit, highlighting the need for the BRICS group to address the issues it was initially formed to tackle. She stressed the importance of discussions on inclusive economic growth and the intensification of intra-BRICS trade as central themes for the summit.
Sabela noted South Africa’s significant role in strengthening Africa’s participation in BRICS by advocating for more African countries to join the grouping and ensuring that the continent’s perspectives are represented. She urged the BRICS nations to focus on practical outcomes that would benefit member states, particularly through cooperation on sustainable development.
In her call to action, Sabela emphasized the importance of green development and climate action as essential components of the BRICS agenda. She advocated for policies that prioritize people-centered development, asserting that it is time for BRICS to demonstrate tangible achievements for its member states.