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 said this at the 2026 summit, saying that this should help advance the objectives for which BRICS was established, particularly in promoting economic cooperation and people centered development.
She made the remarks in an interview reported on Thursday by TV BRICS, a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) partner.
“In terms of the 2026 BRICS Summit, we’re expecting the issues that the group was formed to address to be taken forward.
“We are looking at discussions on inclusive economic growth, as well as intensifying intra-BRICS trade,” she said.
Sabela said South Africa had played an important role in strengthening Africa’s participation in BRICS by helping to bring more African countries into the grouping and ensuring that the continent’s perspectives were represented.
She urged BRICS to focus more on practical outcomes that would benefit its member states, particularly through cooperation on sustainable development.
“It is now time to see what BRICS can actually achieve for its member states,” she said.
Sabela also called for green development and climate action to remain key components of the BRICS agenda, alongside policies that put people at the centre of development.
Edited by Halima Sheji