Saturday, February 8

Results of the BRICS Foreign Ministers' meeting on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly

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1. On September 20, 2023, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations of the BRICS countries held an annual meeting “on the sidelines” of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) under the chairmanship of the Russian Federation as the next BRICS Chair country in 2024.

2. The Ministers exchanged views on the main global and regional issues on the agenda of the United Nations (UN) in the field of politics, security, economy, finance and sustainable development, and also discussed activities within the framework of BRICS. The Ministers discussed the possibilities of mutual support of initiatives at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. They supported the policy of continuing cooperation between the BRICS member countries in areas of mutual interest, including through regular meetings through their permanent missions to the UN.

3. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to inclusive multilateralism and compliance with the norms of international law, including the goals and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, which is its cornerstone, and the preservation of the central role of the United Nations in the international system, within which sovereign States interact in the interests of maintaining peace and security, promoting sustainable development, promoting and protecting democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, as well as the promotion of cooperation based on the spirit of solidarity, mutual respect, justice and equality.

4. The Ministers reiterated their concern about the use of unilateral coercive measures incompatible with the principles of the UN Charter and entailing negative consequences, especially in the developing world. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening and improving global governance by promoting a more flexible, efficient, efficient, representative, democratic and accountable international and multilateral system to facilitate more active and meaningful participation of developing and least developed countries, especially in Africa, in global structures and decision-making processes in order to ensure their greater compliance with modern realities and that they serve the interests of the world majority.

5. The Ministers recalled that 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted on December 10, 1948, as well as the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted at the World Conference on Human Rights in 1993.

6. The Ministers reaffirmed the need for cooperation of all countries in the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the principles of equality and mutual respect. They agreed to continue to treat all human rights, including the right to development, in a fair and equal manner, without any differences and with equal attention. They agreed to strengthen cooperation on issues of common interest both within the framework of BRICS and on multilateral platforms, including the United Nations General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council, taking into account the need to promote, protect and respect human rights in an indiscriminate, non-politicized and constructive manner, without double standards. They called for respect for democracy and human rights. In this regard, they stressed that they should be implemented both at the global governance level and at the national level. They reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the promotion and protection of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all in order to build a common cloudless future for the international community based on mutually beneficial cooperation.

7. The Ministers supported the comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council, in order to increase its democracy, representativeness, efficiency and effectiveness, as well as increase the representation of developing countries in all categories of membership in the Council, so that it could adequately respond to current global challenges, and supported the legitimate aspirations of developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, including Brazil, India and South Africa, to play a more significant role in international affairs, in particular, in the United Nations, including its Security Council.

8. The Ministers called for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in its three dimensions – economic, social and environmental – in a balanced and integrated manner by mobilizing the funds necessary for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. In addition, they reiterated their call on donor countries to meet their commitments to provide official development assistance (ODA) and assistance to developing countries in capacity-building and technology transfer, as well as additional resources for development in accordance with the national policy objectives of recipient countries. In this regard, they welcomed the SDG Summit held in New York on September 18-19, 2023, and reiterated that the Summit of the Future, which will be held in September 2024, will present significant opportunities for the resumption of international commitments to implement the 2030 Agenda. The Ministers reaffirmed their readiness to support Africa in the fields of industrialization, agriculture and skills development.

9. The Ministers also stressed the importance of the role of the Group of Twenty in the global governance system as the main multilateral forum in the field of financial and economic cooperation, bringing together both developed countries and emerging market and developing countries on an equal and mutually beneficial basis, and where large economies jointly seek solutions to global problems. In this regard, they expressed their firm opinion that the G20 should continue to function productively, focusing on achieving concrete results and making decisions based on consensus. They highly appreciated the successful holding of the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi under the chairmanship of India and welcomed the African Union as a permanent member of the G20. They noted the opportunities for maintaining the steady dynamics of changes during the successive presidencies of India, Brazil and South Africa in the Group of Twenty in 2023-2025, and also supported the continuity and cooperation of their presidencies in the Group of Twenty and wished success in their work. In this regard, they reaffirmed their commitment to a balanced approach, continuing to strengthen and further integrate the role of the Global South into the agenda of the G20 under the chairmanship of India in 2023, as well as Brazil and South Africa in 2024 and 2025.

10. The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of the BRICS countries working together to counter the risks and challenges of the global economy in order to promote global recovery, ensure food security, eradicate poverty and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in general. They recognized that the eradication of poverty in all its forms and manifestations, including extreme poverty, is a major global challenge and a prerequisite for sustainable development. They stressed the importance of continuing the implementation of the BRICS Economic Partnership Strategy until 2025, the Roadmap for its implementation in terms of trade and investment, the BRICS Partnership Framework Agreement in the Digital Economy, the Action Plan for Cooperation of the BRICS Countries in the Field of Agriculture for 2021-2024 and the BRICS Cooperation Strategy in the Field of Food Security. They welcomed the proclamation by the United Nations of 2023 as the International Year of Millet.

11. The Ministers reiterated the need to implement the goals, principles and provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, in particular the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances. They confirmed that the means of implementation should be strengthened by developed countries, including through the adequate and timely receipt of affordable climate finance, technical cooperation, capacity-building and technology transfer for the implementation of measures to combat climate change. They reiterated the need to develop comprehensive financial mechanisms to address the loss and damage caused by climate change, including the launch of a Loss and Damage Fund approved at UNFCCC COP-27, for the benefit of all developing countries. They agreed to work together for a successful COP28 in Dubai in 2023 and welcomed Brazil’s bid to host COP30 in 2025.

12. The Ministers reiterated that equal efforts, taking into account the leading role of developed countries, are necessary to counter the challenges of biodiversity loss and environmental pollution; in accordance with the main pillars of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, including the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, taking into account greater responsibility developed countries and ensuring sustainable production and consumption patterns. They also stressed the need to speed up efforts aimed at countering challenges in the field of development and climate change, promoting a lifestyle conducive to sustainable development, as well as preserving biodiversity.

13. The Ministers welcomed the historic adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP-15) in December 2022. Thus, they pledged to strive to fulfill all the global goals and objectives of the Framework Program in accordance with the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and national conditions, priorities and opportunities to realize the mission reflected in it of stopping and reversing the process of biodiversity loss, as well as the concept of living in harmony with nature. They urged developed countries to ensure adequate means of implementation, including financial resources, capacity-building, technical and scientific cooperation, as well as access to and transfer of technology for the full implementation of the Framework. They also recognized the potential of cooperation in the field of sustainable use of biodiversity in the field of business to support the economic development of regions, industrialization, job creation and opportunities for sustainable business.

14. The Ministers noted the increasing importance of the relationship between sustainable development and global human health issues, while recognizing that international cooperation in the field of health should be inclusive, based on the principle of equity and result-oriented and benefit all mankind.

15. The Ministers reiterated their intention to intensify efforts to improve equal access and collective capacity to prevent, prepare for and respond to global pandemics, as well as to strengthen the ability to jointly confront any such pandemics in the future. They reiterated the importance of the BRICS Virtual Center for Vaccine Research and Development. They noted the high-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response on 20 September 2023, the high-level meeting on universal health coverage on 21 September 2023 and the high-level meeting on tuberculosis control on 22 September 2023 as crucial steps to mobilize international support.

16. The Ministers expressed concern about the ongoing conflicts in many regions of the world. They reaffirmed their commitment to the peaceful resolution of differences and disputes through dialogue and comprehensive consultations based on coordination and cooperation, and supported all efforts contributing to the peaceful settlement of crises. They reiterated the need for full compliance with international humanitarian law and the provision of humanitarian assistance in accordance with the basic principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence enshrined in UN General Assembly resolution 46/182.

17. The Ministers highly appreciated the continued joint efforts of the UN, the African Union and subregional organizations, including, in particular, cooperation between the UN Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council, to find answers to regional challenges, including maintaining peace and security, promoting peace-building, post-conflict reconstruction and development, and called for further support from the international community of these efforts using diplomatic means, such as dialogue, negotiations, consultations, mediation, appeal to good offices, to resolve international disputes and conflicts, their settlement on the basis of mutual respect, compromise and respect for the balance of legitimate interests. They reiterated that the principle of “African problems – an African solution” should continue to serve as the basis for the settlement of conflicts on the continent.

18. The Ministers reiterated their national positions on the conflict in and around Ukraine, voiced in relevant forums, including the Security Council and the UN General Assembly, and noted with appreciation the relevant proposals for mediation and good offices in the interests of a peaceful settlement of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

19. The Ministers strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, regardless of when, where and by whom terrorist acts are committed. They recognized the threat posed by terrorism, extremism leading to terrorism, and radicalization. They pledged to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, as well as financing networks and safe havens for terrorists. They reiterated that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, culture or ethnic group. They reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to further contribute to global efforts to prevent and counter the threat of terrorism on the basis of compliance with international law, in particular the UN Charter, and human rights, emphasizing that the primary responsibility for combating terrorism lies with the States themselves while maintaining the central and coordinating role of the UN in this area. They also stressed that a comprehensive and balanced approach on the part of the entire international community is necessary for the effective suppression of terrorist activities that pose a serious threat, including in the current conditions of the pandemic. They rejected double standards in the fight against terrorism and extremism leading to it. They called for the early finalization and adoption within the framework of the UN of a comprehensive convention on combating international terrorism, as well as the launch of multilateral negotiations on an international convention for the suppression of acts of chemical and biological terrorism within the framework of the Conference on Disarmament. They welcomed the activities of the BRICS Working Group on Counterterrorism (RGAT) and its five subgroups based on the BRICS Anti-Terrorism Strategy and the BRICS Action Plan to Combat Terrorism. They look forward to further deepening cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

20. The Ministers recalled the 2001 Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA) and the Outcome Document of the Durban Review Conference and noted the annual UNGA resolution “Combating the Glorification of Nazism, neo-Nazism and other practices that contribute to the escalation of contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance”.

21. The Ministers reiterated their support for ensuring the long-term sustainability of space activities and the prevention of an arms race in outer space (PAROS) and the deployment of weapons in outer space, including through negotiations on the adoption of an appropriate legally binding multilateral instrument. They recognized the value of the updated draft treaty on the prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space, the use of force or the threat of force against space objects (PPWT), submitted for consideration at the Conference on Disarmament in 2014. They stressed that practical and non-legally binding commitments, such as transparency and confidence-building measures in outer space (MTDCS), could also contribute to PAROS.

22. The Ministers called for strengthening the disarmament and non-proliferation system, including the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (BTWC) and the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (CWC), recognizing their role in maintaining global stability, international peace and security. They stressed the need to comply with and strengthen the BTWC, including through the adoption of a legally binding protocol to the Convention, which provides, in particular, an effective verification mechanism.

23. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to creating an open, secure, stable, accessible and peaceful environment for the use of information and communication technologies (ICT), stressed the importance of achieving a common understanding and enhancing cooperation in the use of ICT and the Internet. They supported the central role of the United Nations in developing a constructive dialogue on the topic of ICT security, including within the framework of the UN Open-ended Working Group on Security in the Use of ICT and ICT Itself in 2021-2025, as well as the development of a generally recognized regulatory framework in this area. They called for a comprehensive, balanced and objective approach to the development and security of ICT products and systems. They stressed the importance of forming a regulatory framework for cooperation between the BRICS countries on issues of ensuring security in the use of ICT. They also recognized the need to develop practical cooperation within the BRICS framework through the implementation of the BRICS Practical Cooperation roadmap in ensuring security in the field of ICT use and within the framework of the BRICS Working Group on Security Issues in the Field of ICT Use. Emphasizing the enormous potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for growth and development, they recognized the existing and new opportunities for criminal activity and threats associated with them, and express concern about the growing level and complexity of the use of ICTs for criminal purposes. They welcomed the work being carried out in the Ad Hoc Committee on the Development of a Comprehensive International convention on Countering the Use of ICTs for Criminal Purposes, and reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate in the timely implementation of the mandate approved by UN General Assembly resolution 75/282.

24. The Ministers stressed the importance of responsible and ethical development and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for socio-economic development and inclusive growth of all societies. They supported dialogue and cooperation in the field of AI technologies in order to promote mutually beneficial interaction, called for strengthening international AI regulation and encouraged the exchange of best practices and discussion on AI in order to explore opportunities for creating an effective legal framework for ensuring global AI governance in order to protect human rights and stimulate innovation and economic growth.

25. The Ministers stressed that the participation of the BRICS countries in the work of the UN Security Council, including Brazil as an elected member for the period 2022-2023, is a valuable opportunity to further enhance the importance of our dialogue on international peace and security and to continue cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

26. The Ministers stressed the importance of continuous efforts aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the UN’s activities in fulfilling its mandates. They called on the BRICS countries to further cooperate in improving the resources of the UN, its administrative management and budget, preserving the role of Member States as the driving force of the UN, as well as ensuring more effective oversight of the Organization’s activities and strengthening it.

27. The Ministers recalled the consensus reached at the XV BRICS Summit on the guidelines, standards, criteria and procedures for the expansion of BRICS, as well as the decision to invite the Argentine Republic, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to become full-fledged members of BRICS from January 1 2024. They welcomed the work being carried out in this direction by the Republic of South Africa as the BRICS Chairman. They will continue to actively participate in the development of a model of partner States and a list of possible partner countries based on comprehensive consultations and consensus and will report on this at the next summit.

28. The Ministers highly appreciated the efforts of South Africa as the BRICS Chair in 2023 and expressed deep appreciation for the successful holding of the XV BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on August 22-24, 2023, including meetings in the format of “BRICS-Africa outreach” and “BRICS plus” as evidence of the openness and inclusiveness of the BRICS partnership.

29. The Ministers recalled paragraph 88 of the Johannesburg Declaration II, which instructed the Sherpas to continue discussing issues of BRICS institutional development on a regular basis, including the consolidation of cooperation.

30. The Ministers were informed about the preparations for Russia’s upcoming BRICS presidency in 2024. Brazil, India, China and South Africa expressed their full support for Russia’s BRICS Presidency in 2024 under the motto “Strengthening multilateralism for equitable global development and security” and the holding of the XVI BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia. The Ministers also expect to hold a full-format meeting of the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations in Russia in 2024.

 

A source: https://e-cis.info/news/568/112220/

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