South Africa / Brilliant Convergence: BRICS Youth Delegates envision a Global Energy Future
BRICS Youth Delegates have embarked on an exciting quest to define a more significant role for their alliance in the global energy landscape. Gathered in Johannesburg on the sidelines of the upcoming summit bringing together Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, these entrepreneurial minds, researchers, and activists have delved into how BRICS could shape Africa’s energy future.
During this event, Alexander Kormishin, President of the BRICS Youth Energy Agency, emphasized the importance of intersectoral collaboration to catalyze the evolution of the energy sector.
He encouraged participants to forge enlightened leadership and harness technological development opportunities to drive tangible changes.
The relevance of this discussion cannot be underestimated, as BRICS, encompassing Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, not only consume vast amounts of energy but also possess substantial energy resource reserves, including 40% of global coal reserves, a quarter of natural gas reserves, and 8% of oil reserves.
 Jacob Mbele, Director-General of the South African Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, discussed the opportunity represented by the need for energy security and a just transition, especially for the youth.
He called for seizing this opportunity to propose innovative solutions that take into account technological advancements and the fight against climate change.
Discussions covered a multitude of crucial energy sector-related questions, including the use of energy as a driver of the circular economy.
The urgency of an energy transition was also highlighted, with a call for innovative solutions to address the energy needs of millions of Africans currently deprived of access to energy.
Scott Mazulu
