Ethiopia Attends BRICS Sherpa Meeting in South Africa

Addis Ababa ,December 2/2023(ENA)-Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia and Ethiopia’s BRICS Sherpa, Mamo Esmelealem Mihretu stressed that Ethiopia’s decision to be a member of BRICS is consistent with its rich and long history of diplomacy, including as a member of the League of Nations. 

Mamo Esmelealem Mihretu, Ethiopia’s BRICS Sherpa addressed the Extended BRICS Sherpa/Sous Sherpa meeting in Durban, South Africa, according to a press release sent to ENA.

He underscored that BRICS membership is “vital for several reasons, offering us a unique opportunity not just to develop more effective bilateral relations, but also to forge a deeper strategic relationship based on the principle of sovereign equality and consensus to promote trade, development finance, investment, and shared prosperity.”

 Ethiopia’s decision to join BRICS is “consistent with our rich and long history of diplomacy, including as a member of the League of Nations and a founding member of the United Nations and of the African Union,” Mamo said.

Development agenda is both essential and urgent, he emphasized.  

He pointed out that development should remain the underlying need to transform the scale and nature of finance and meet the needs for sustainable development goals.

Ethiopia does not see BRICS as a block in competition with anyone, he said, adding  but as a platform for the global south to continue promoting multilateral cooperation for collective and shared prosperity, as evidenced in Ethiopia’s rich diplomatic history.

He further pointed out that the Government of Ethiopia has been making preparations since its acceptance to BRICS.

Ethiopia’s National Ministerial Coordination Committee was held its inaugural session in November 2023, he noted.

Ethiopia’s Sherpa also reassured the meeting that his country will actively participate in BRICS activities and continue to play a constructive role in strengthening multilateralism and promoting peace and prosperity in the world.

During the meeting, Sherpas of BRICS exchanged views and discussed the priorities of 2024 under the chairmanship of Russia.

Governor Mamo also held bilateral meetings with his counterparts in the meeting.