Chakwera’s BRICS Speech Prioritize Development Agenda
President Lazarus Chakwera’s inaugural address at the 15th BRICS summit prioritized Malawi’s development agenda that now depends on forging stronger ties and perspectives with people, economies and governments of the Global South.
Writing on his Facebook page the Malawi leader said despite persistent neocolonial geopolitical contestation and unfair trade hegemonies the country is determined to work with BRICS nations towards promotion of advantageous multilateralism.
“For us to deliver prosperity to our people, Malawi must converge her interests with concurring economies in pursuit of a better global system that offers equitable trade and investment opportunities,” writes Chakwera.
He further stated that in such a way, Malawi is assured of benefiting fully from enormous opportunities available within the South-South Cooperation framework and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area.
This was the first bilateral meeting Chakwera had with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Plus Outreach summit, which he said went extremely well with discussion cemented the bilateral partnership spurring rapid infrastructural development and macroeconomic stability.
Chakwera also stated to President Xi, the deep gratitude for the support his government and the people of China continue to render in areas such as education, telecommunications, infrastructure and during the Cyclone Freddy devastation.
And in his remarks the Chinese President expressed appreciation for Malawi’s unwavering support of the One-China Policy and being a leading voice at BRICS and other multilateral platforms advocating for the interests of developing nations.
In addition, China will support Malawi’s efforts to build resilience against climate shocks and achieve our developmental aspirations.