Cape Town, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The South African parliament has described the 9th BRICS Parliamentary Forum as "a seminal moment" of harmonious unity and collective ambition for the BRICS nations.
In a statement on Friday, the parliament said the forum, which kicked off in Johannesburg on Wednesday, represented a progressive journey and mutual dedication to reinforcing global dialogues and alliances.
"The adoption of the declaration and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during this Forum mark significant and transformational milestones, reflecting our united vision to fortify relations within our nations, and importantly, with Africa, aiming to propel inclusive growth and sustainable development forward," said the statement.
"The historic signing of the MoU is a critical testament to our commitment to consolidating the BRICS Parliamentary Forum as a hub for democratic parliaments in the Global South," it said.
In the statement, the South African legislature said the successful deliberations at the forum underlined the paramount importance of enhancing multilateralism, with the United Nations playing a central role in championing the causes of sustainable development, human rights, and peace and security, all premised on the principles of mutual respect, justice and equality.
"Parliamentary diplomacy has been recognized as a catalyst in shaping a more equitable international order and revitalizing the multilateral system," it added.
The statement noted that the collective resolve of BRICS nations is to see the resolutions of the 15th BRICS Summit implemented within their parliaments to bolster the bloc's prominence.
It went on to say that robust parliamentary cooperation is fundamental to the essence of BRICS cooperation, and the MoU serves as a transformative blueprint, marking a new era in the institutionalization of the parliamentary dimension of BRICS cooperation.
The statement also highlighted that embracing new members and strengthening relations with diverse African parliamentary assemblies and national parliaments reflect the inclusive ethos of the BRICS in fostering cooperation and shared progress.
To conclude, it said the "fruitful outcomes" of the forum embody a collective aspiration for global peace, equality and sustainable prosperity.
According to the statement, the chairpersonship of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum will be transferred to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation in 2024.
