Iran and South Africa signed a cooperation agreement in Pretoria Thursday during Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian’s visit to his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor as the Islamic Republic pitches its membership in the BRICS group of developing economies.
The signing took place after the two countries’ top diplomats co-chaired the 15th South Africa-Iran Joint Commission of Cooperation.
Iran is looking to join BRICS, the influential group of developing economies consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. As chair of the group of five countries seen as an alternative to the Western hegemony, South Africa will host the annual BRICS summit in Johannesburg Aug. 22-24. Iranian President Raisi will visit South Africa to attend the meeting, during which new applicants will be considered.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the ministers emphasized “the need for comprehensive political and economic cooperation between the two countries to enhance intercontinental and global interactions.”
