Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: A series of violent Israeli raids targeted the outskirts of the town of Ansar
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli warplanes raided the outskirts of the town of Shmestar in Bekaa, eastern Lebanon
Donald Trump will speak with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Thursday: White House
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli warplanes raid the town of Bnaafoul, Saida district
YAF: Israeli enemy will pay for this crime.
Yemeni Armed Forces: Son of Major General Al-Ghamari martyred alongside him in Israeli aggression.
Yemeni Armed Forces: YAF mourns martyrdom of Chief of the General Staff Mohammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Palestinian shot and killed by IOF east of Al-Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Occupation forces opened machine gun fire toward outskirts of Aitaroun as locals headed for olive harvest.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone drops bomb at outskirts of town of Blida as people head for olive harvest.

Amir-Abdollahian and South African counterpart agree to expand ties

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 2 Jun 2023 13:50
4 Min Read

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, during a meeting in Cape Town with his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor, says Iran looks forward to join the BRICS and engage with the SCO as the world is changing.

  • x
  • Iran Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held a bilateral meeting with International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr. Naledi Pandor on the sidelines of the #BRICS Meeting of Ministers. (BRICS)
    Iran Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held a bilateral meeting with International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr. Naledi Pandor on the sidelines of the #BRICS Meeting of Ministers. (BRICS)

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the BRICS group of emerging economies can have a significant impact on the formation of a new global order, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor during a meeting in Cape Town.

As the world is changing, Iran prepared to join the SCO, which was founded in 2001 by a number of Asian countries, earlier in March 2022 when the formal process for Tehran's accession to the organization was started.

As for the BRICS, Amir-Abdollahian voiced his hope that soon, BRICS member states would be able to work out mechanisms for the membership of Iran and other interested countries. 

The Iranian top diplomat also underlined that preparations were being made to convene a session of the Iran-South Africa Joint Economic Commission in Pretoria. In that regard, Amir-Abdollahian also underscored the need to implement previously signed agreements between the two countries. This meant, according to the diplomat, that the sub-committees of the Joint Economic Commission must be activated as early as possible.

Read more: BRICS FM summit statement calls for peaceful resolution of Ukraine war

Amir-Abdollahian mentioned a few of the capabilities of Iranian engineering and technology firms, and reaffirmed Tehran's readiness to make use of these resources and strengthen its economic connections with South Africa.

Furthermore, Amir-Abdollahian emphasized Iran's significant expertise in aiding neighboring nations in the war on terrorism and expressed his nation's preparedness to undertake expert consultations with pertinent South African authorities in this respect.

To conclude, the Iranian top diplomat also recognized South Africa's support for the Palestinian cause and its oppressed people's fight against "Israel".

Related News

Putin warns Europe on militarization, calls Gaza war a tragedy

Pezeshkian slams US proposal to trade uranium for sanctions relief

In turn, Pandor voiced appreciation for Iran and its presence at the BRICS meeting set for June 2, and stressed that in the upcoming session, the BRICS foreign ministers will discuss membership mechanisms for the accession of interested countries, including Iran, saying results will be set to be delivered by the next summit.

The current #BRICS five now account for 31.5% of global GDP, while the #G7's share has fallen to 30%. The BRICS is expected to contribute over 50% of global #GDP by 2030. pic.twitter.com/CkmkaAj9Ga

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 24, 2023

While Pandor welcomed new countries joining the BRICS Cooperation Bank, the South African top diplomat also urged and supported initiatives to expand economic cooperation between Pretoria and Tehran.

Pointing out to the developments in the southern part of the African continent, Pandor explained that terrorism is considered one of the most threatening factors across the region and welcomed Amir-Abdollahian's suggestion for cooperation. 

She also highlighted that Pretoria looks to welcome Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in the near future.

South Africa invites Iranian FM to BRICS summit

Earlier, on May 30th, Amir-Abdollahian received an invitation from South Africa to attend the upcoming BRICS summit scheduled in August, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs said.

Mehdi Safari said the meeting, which will take place in Johannesburg between August 22-24, will be a good opportunity for Iran to hold discussions on its sidelines with other countries to develop cooperation in various fields and sectors.

Read more: Exclusive interview with Raisi: Iran ready to join BRICS

BRICS members account for 30% of the global gross output and 40% of the global population. The bloc includes the world's major developing countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It was also announced, recently, that a handful of medium-sized economies intend to join the bloc: Venezuela, Argentina, Algeria Iran, Indonesia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. 

Read more: South Africa to not be drawn into proxy wars, says President

  • BRICS
  • South Africa
  • Hossein Amir-Abdollahian
  • Naledi Pandor
  • SCO
  • Iran

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
A person shops at a grocery store in Schaumburg, Ill., Thursday, September 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Economy

75% of Americans report higher costs despite Trump’s inflation claim

With the government shutdown now in its third week, a sign turns away tourists at the entrance to the Capitol Visitor Center, in Washington, Wednesday, October 15, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Politics

US judge blocks shutdown layoffs amid Trump threats to cut jobs

Bill Ackman speaks about higher education and Harvard University at the twenty-eighth annual Milken Institute Global Conference at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, on May 6, 2025. (Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images)
Politics

Bill Ackman donates $1 mln to anti-Mamdani PAC in NYC mayoral race

Members of the Pentagon press corp carry their belongings out of the Pentagon after turning in their press credentials, on October 15, 2025 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
US & Canada

Pentagon journalists vacate workspaces as new restrictions take effect

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS