KAZAN, Russia, October 24. BRICS union ranks with crucial platforms for development of multilateral co-operation, especially between the Global South countries, President of Mauritania, Chairman of the African Union Mohamed Ould Al-Sheikh Al-Ghazouani said at the first plenary session of the XVI BRICS Plus summit in Kazan today, Trend reports.
"Gradual expansion of our association, along with certain differences in the levels of development among member countries, indicates that development is not the prerogative of a few specific states. It is a legitimate right of all countries, regardless of their level of development. Therefore, we must listen to the voices of all members—all our friends and partners—to respect and uphold the priorities they follow.
For our collaboration to be sustainable, it must fundamentally be inclusive. This is our fundamental requirement and position in the African Union regarding our development goals," he also said.
The president highlighted certain slowdowns in achieving sustainable development goals, as well as the occasional inability to overcome challenges in security, economy, and environment.
"We believe this urges all of us to act in a way that overcomes the insufficient level of economic development in some countries and addresses the imbalances present in their economies. Today, we, along with the African Union as a whole, need to rejuvenate our previous dynamic relations and give them new life.
Therefore, we must take advantage of all the development opportunities available to us, addressing issues such as debt that naturally impede our progress. We must collectively overcome all challenges while also acknowledging that the African continent's representation in various international, particularly financial, multilateral organizations remains inadequate. This lack of representation hinders these countries from progressing with the agenda that many other nations in the world are currently pursuing.
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