BRICS Summit in Cape Town Costs South Africa Nearly R10 Million

The BRICS Summit in Cape Town cost SA Nearly R10 million. South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, has confirmed that the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Summit held in Cape Town incurred expenses amounting to R9.8 million. This revelation comes as a response to inquiries about the summit’s costs.

The BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Summit occurred in June. It served as a preparatory event for the main BRICS summit held in August. The main summit in August saw participation from more than 40 leaders representing African nations and other regions, with the notable exception of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

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Despite concerns regarding Putin’s potential presence due to ongoing International Criminal Court proceedings against him, there were no plans to relocate the summit to another country, according to Minister Pandor. South Africa remained committed to hosting the summit, whether in a digital or in-person format, as it held the chair of BRICS in 2023.

In response to a written parliamentary inquiry, Minister Pandor disclosed that the cost of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Summit totalled R9.8 million. Various formats for the summit were considered, including hybrid and in-person, to accommodate the unique opportunities presented by the expansion of the BRICS bloc and the changing geopolitical landscape.

While initial speculations suggested that China might serve as an alternative host due to concerns surrounding Putin’s attendance, Putin ultimately participated virtually, eliminating the need for a venue change.

Source: The BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Summit cost South Africa R9.8 million

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Picture: Facebook / The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa

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