BRICS Foreign Affair Ministers On Ukraine War, Sudan Conflict, Terrorism, Artificial Intelligence

The statement came after the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Relations met on Thursday in Cape Town, South Africa to exchange views on major global and regional trends and issues.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar with his counterparts from Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa after a meeting of BRICS Foreign Ministers, in Cape Town, South Africa, Thursday, June 1, 2023.

Source : PTI

The Foreign Affair Ministers of the five-nation grouping BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) in a joint statement condemned the use of unilateral coercive measures producing negative effects in the developing world while they expressed concerns over the Russia-Ukraine War and conflict in Sudan. BRICS brings together five of the largest developing countries in the world. The statement came after the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Relations met on Thursday in Cape Town, South Africa to exchange views on major global and regional trends and issues while reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the framework of BRICS cooperation under the three pillars of political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people cooperation.

As per the joint statement, the Ministers reiterated their commitment to enhancing and improving global governance by promoting a more agile, effective, efficient, representative, and accountable international and multilateral system.

The Ministers recalled their national positions concerning the situation in and around Ukraine "as expressed at the appropriate fora, including the UNSC and UNGA." "They noted with appreciation relevant proposals of mediation and good offices aimed at peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy," the statement read.

"They called for the full and effective implementation of both the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Russian Federation and the Secretariat of the United Nations on promoting Russian food products and fertilisers to the world markets and stress the importance of allowing grains and fertilisers to continue to reach those most in need," it added.

The Ministers also acknowledged the impact on the world economy from unilateral approaches in breach of international law and they also that the situation is complicated further by unilateral economic coercive measures, such as sanctions, boycotts, embargoes, and blockades.

The BRICS Foreign Ministers also expressed concern about the outbreak of violence in Sudan urging the "immediate cessation of hostilities". They called for the unimpeded access of the Sudanese population to humanitarian assistance. "They welcomed the efforts of the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority for Development, the League of Arab States, the United Nations, and its Security Council in seeking solutions for the ongoing crisis. They further welcomed support rendered by various countries, international organisations, and agencies in the evacuation of foreign citizens from Sudan," the statement informed.

The Ministers also expressed serious concern over continued conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

BRICS Foreign Ministers On Energy Security, Terrorism, Artificial Intelligence

Amid worries over energy supply further aggravated by the Russia-Ukraine war, the Ministers emphasised on ensuring energy security for economic development, social stability, national security, and the welfare of all nations worldwide. "They called for resilient global supply chains and predictable, stable energy demand to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy sources. They also stressed the importance of enhancing energy security and market stability by strengthening value chains, promoting open, transparent, and competitive markets, and ensuring the protection of critical energy infrastructure," the ministers stated while strongly condemning all terrorist attacks against critical infrastructure, including critical energy facilities, and against other vulnerable targets.

On terrorism, the foreign ministers committed to combating the cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing networks, and safe havens while rejecting "double standards in countering terrorism and extremism conducive to terrorism." 

They expressed the need to comprehensively strengthen mechanisms for countering the increased use of evolving technologies such as Unmanned Aerial Systems by terrorists and their supporters and also the use of the Internet and other information and communications technologies, including social media platforms, for purposes like recruitment and incitement to commit terrorist acts, as well as for the financing, planning, and preparation of terror activities.

"The Ministers called for strengthening the system of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, 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), and for preserving their integrity and effectiveness to maintain global stability and international peace and security," the joint statement mentioned.

The Foreign Ministers called for focusing the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for socioeconomic development and inclusive growth of all societies.

As per the statement, they supported "communication and cooperation on AI technology to promote mutual benefits, called for strengthening AI international governance and encourage policy exchanges and dialogues on AI, with a view to exploring to establish an effective global governance framework with the aim to protect human rights and spur innovation and economic growth."

The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of the G20 and said they looked forward to the successful hosting of the 18th G20 Summit under the Indian G20 Presidency. They also expressed their determination to contribute to a successful COP28 in Dubai, later this year, with a focus on implementation on all aspects of the Paris Agreement.

The Ministers welcomed Brazil’s candidacy to host COP30 as the year 2025 will be key to the very future of the global response to climate change, the joint statement read.