In the recent autonomous rendezvous of the Foreign Ministers from India, Brazil, and South Africa (IBSA), they expressed their apprehension about the burgeoning geopolitical tensions worldwide. The trio emphasized the pressing need to pivot towards peace initiatives, opposing divisive narratives that exacerbate the current landscape of fragmentation and geopolitical polarization, as indicated in the Ministerial declaration.
Conducted on February 22 in Rio de Janeiro, a standalone meeting saw India’s Minister of State of External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Mauro Vieira, and South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Grace Naledi Pandor, participating actively, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
In their ministerial declaration, the IBSA ministers underscored the significance of dialogue in resolving conflicts peacefully and emphasized the reinforcement of tools for conflict prevention, such as mediation and preventive diplomacy. Their commitment was reiterated to the principles outlined in the United Nations Charter, international law, and multilateralism.
Additionally, they advocated for a reformed, revitalized, and reinvigorated multilateralism geared towards implementing the 2030 agenda. This approach aims to effectively address the contemporary global challenges of the 21st century and enhance the representativeness, democracy, effectiveness, transparency, and accountability of global governance.
Furthermore, the ministers acknowledged the pivotal role of the Peace Building Commission in adopting a strategic approach. They recognized the Commission’s function in advising and bridging connections with United Nations bodies, facilitating the inclusion of perspectives from relevant stakeholders, including international financial institutions, on peacebuilding.
Addressing the need to reform the UN Security Council, the ministers, during the standalone meeting, reaffirmed their commitment to expanding Security Council membership. This expansion includes representation from developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, in both permanent and non-permanent categories. The aim is to achieve a reformed, representative, equitable, responsive, and effective UN Security Council, reflective of contemporary global realities.
They expressed support for the legitimate aspirations of African nations to have a permanent presence in the UNSC and endorsed Brazil’s and India’s pursuits for permanent seats. This endorsement was coupled with appreciation for India and Brazil serving as members of the UN Security Council for 2021-2022 and 2022-23, respectively, as per the MEA.
The ministers, in agreement, deplored the ongoing terrorist attacks globally, condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They emphasized the global nature of terrorism, necessitating a united effort to combat it and eliminate safe havens worldwide. Their solidarity and determination in the fight against terrorism were reaffirmed.
IBSA ministers collectively called upon the international community to establish a comprehensive international counter-terrorism framework in adherence to international law. They urged support for the United Nations’ central coordinating role in international counter-terrorism cooperation.
The MEA highlighted the ministers’ resolve to intensify joint efforts for the swift adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the UNGA.
According to the joint ministerial statement, they expressed anticipation for further deepening counter-terrorism cooperation. Additionally, they reiterated the sole authority of the UN Security Council for imposing sanctions and called for urgent reforms in the working methods of UN Security Council Sanctions Committees. The objective is to ensure effectiveness, responsiveness, and transparency while avoiding politicization and double standards in their proceedings, including objectively assessing listing proposals based on evidence-based criteria.
IBSA, a distinctive forum uniting India, Brazil, and South Africa, presents three substantial democracies and major economies from diverse continents facing analogous challenges. The forum’s formalization occurred with the Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Brasilia on June 6, 2003, issuing the Brasilia Declaration. India currently chairs the IBSA.