BRICS foreign ministers emphasise on equitable international order

NEW YORK: In the backdrop of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) approving text-based negotiations in reforming the UN Security Council (UNSC), the BRICS countries have stressed on the need to have a ‘fair and equitable’ international order. They have reiterated their intention and commitment to contribute to safeguarding a fair and equitable international order based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter as stated in the Ufa Summit declaration.

The ministers met in New York on September 29 on the sidelines of annual session of the UNGA which marks the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and the end of the Second World War. The five countries have stressed on the need for comprehensive reform of the UN including the Security Council to have a more equitable representation and give the emerging countries an equal say on global issues. The ministers spoke about the need to make it more representative and efficient.

With focus on the current state of the global economy and finances, the ministers recognised the significant contribution of BRICS countries to the global economy and were confident about their economic prospects. The issue of urgently unblocking the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reform as a measure to reform global economic governance consistent with the interests and needs of the developing countries was a major point of discussion.

Stressing on the importance of closer economic, financial and trade cooperation, the five ministers spoke about doing it through policy coordination, timely implementation of the strategy for BRICS economic partnership and the full functioning of the New Development Bank and its African regional centre.

Expressing their full support for a successful outcome at COP21 in Paris in December, the five members called for a comprehensive, balanced and equitable agreement with legal force for the post 2020 period that is in conformity with the principles and provisions of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). They said it should be attained through an open transparent and inclusive negotiating process.

Discussing the ongoing conflicts in several parts of the world, the members expressed concern about the conflicts undermining stability and security which is leading to an increase in terror activities and causing mass migration. The latest being the ongoing crisis in Syria has made citizens flee the countries and seek refuge in other countries and Europe has witnessed an influx of migrants due to this crisis.

Speaking about the rise of extremist organisations like the Islamic State, the five countries said it was not just a threat to the region but a threat to the whole world. Condemning terrorism, the BRICS countries stressed on having a comprehensive approach to ensure an effective fight against terrorism. India has been insisting on having a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT). The members urged concerted efforts to counter terrorism on a firm international legal basis, under the UN auspices. The ministers also emphasised on continuing support to the process of political settlement in Syria on the basis of the Geneva communiqué.

Other issues such as the Ukraine conflict and Africa’s efforts to resolve conflicts in Africa were discussed. The members praised Africa’s efforts to resolve the conflicts while emphasising that there is no military solution to the Ukraine conflict and that the only way to reconciliation is through inclusive political dialogue. The ministers called on all parties to comply with all provisions of the Minsk Agreements adopted in February 2015 to resolve the conflict.

India will be hosting the eighth BRICS summit. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj gave a briefing on the preparations for the same.

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