South African Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa emphasized the vast opportunities for BRICS nations to collaborate on energy security during the 9th BRICS Energy Ministerial Meeting held in Moscow. Speaking at the event, Ramokgopa highlighted the shared interests of BRICS countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—in developing sustainable energy strategies while ensuring economic growth and stability.
The minister expressed confidence in the potential of BRICS countries to collectively address the energy challenges each member faces. “We believe this BRICS group of like-minded members has a huge potential to work together, strengthening our resolve through cooperation on energy security,” Ramokgopa stated. He noted that this collaboration could help resolve key issues discussed at the 2023 BRICS Summit in South Africa, particularly the absence of an integrated energy policy framework across member nations.
Ramokgopa stressed that energy cooperation among BRICS nations is crucial at this “critical phase,” as all countries are grappling with the difficult task of balancing economic development goals with the necessary transition to cleaner energy sources. The ongoing global energy transition poses significant challenges, such as shifting from fossil fuels to renewable sources, all while meeting growing energy demands and maintaining energy security.
The minister also highlighted the importance of innovation and investment in clean energy technologies, emphasizing that cooperation in these areas could lead to better integration of sustainable practices across BRICS nations. According to Ramokgopa, BRICS members can jointly work on energy policies that support growth while meeting global environmental commitments.
This ministerial meeting underscored the need for BRICS to come together and explore mutual benefits in areas such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and infrastructure development, setting the stage for future collaborations that could reshape the global energy landscape.