Joint Communiqué issued on the occasion of the IBSA Foreign Ministers Meeting held on the sidelines of the 68th UN General Assembly - New York, September 25, 2013

The Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India, H.E. Mr. Salman Khurshid, the Minister of External Relations of the Federative Republic of Brazil, H.E. Ambassador Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado, and the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Ms. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane met in New York on 25 September 2013, on the sidelines of 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

2. Marking the tenth anniversary of formal launch of IBSA, the meeting was availed of by the three Ministers to exchange views on the contemporary global and regional issues of mutual interest as well as to review progress made by IBSA cooperation since its formalization through the Brasilia Declaration of June 2003.

3. The Ministers noted with satisfaction the progress on the consolidation of the IBSA Dialogue Forum. They underscored that IBSA has succeeded in laying strong foundation for multi-dimensional and multi-sectoral cooperation in a wide range of areas. They noted with satisfaction the positive results of IBSA coordination in various organizations and groupings, including: UN, WTO, WIPO, G20, G24, BRICS and BASIC. They recalled the important role played by IBSA members on the sustainable development agenda, having hosted in 2011-12 three major conferences, and also recalled the 16th BASIC Ministerial Meeting, recently held in Brazil, which reiterated the commitment to a successful outcome of the Warsaw Climate Conference.

4. They stressed that IBSA is an important framework that provides additional impetus to further contacts between developing countries of Asia, South America and Africa, as well as strengthens the spirit of South-South cooperation. Political dialogue among the three countries has positively contributed to the global discourse on issues of common interest. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment for further strengthening the trilateral cooperation and recognized the renewed relevance of IBSA.

5. The IBSA Fund for Alleviation of Poverty and Hunger has successfully demonstrated the relevance and viability of South-South cooperation through implementation of a number of projects in several developing countries to address developmental challenges. The Ministers stressed the need to explore widening the footprint of the IBSA Fund in regions which have been unattended so far and in countries that need immediate development assistance. They highlighted that the IBSA Fund has concluded 7 projects in Africa, the Middle East and in the Caribbean, and that 9 projects are under implementation in countries including Cape Verde, Sierra Leone, Cambodia, Laos, Viet Nam and Palestine.

6. Calling for new models and approaches towards more equitable development, inclusive growth as well as reformed, more representative and democratic global political and economic governance reflecting the current politico-economic realities, the Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate towards enhancing the representation of developing countries in the decision-making bodies of the United Nations and other multilateral institutions. In particular, the Ministers underscored that the reform of IMF should also strengthen the voice and representation of the poorest members, including Sub-Saharan Africa.

7. The Ministers underscored that, almost 70 years after the creation of the United Nations and 10 years after the adoption of the Outcome Document of the 2005 World Summit, time has come for a decision on reforming the Security Council with the addition of new permanent and non-permanent members. Therefore, they stressed that it will be crucial to intensify efforts with the objective of translating by 2015, the existing agreement on the urgency for action into a final decision and a concrete outcome on this long overdue process. In this context, they reaffirmed their full support for each other's candidature for a permanent seat in a reformed UN Security Council. They agreed to have closer consultations amongst themselves and directed their Permanent Representatives in New York and Geneva to continue to have regular consultations on issues of mutual interest.

8. Recalling the IBSA initiative of August 2011 to send a joint delegation to Damascus to engage with the Syrian government, the Ministers maintained that the crisis in Syria should be resolved through an inclusive Syrian-led political process supported by the United Nations and the international community, in the interest of the Syrian people, the region and the world. They condemned the increasing violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law as a result of continued violence in Syria. They reiterated their call upon all parties to allow and facilitate immediate, safe, full and unimpeded access to humanitarian organizations to all in need of assistance.

9. The Ministers reaffirmed that there is no military solution to the conflict. They reiterated their support for the convening of Geneva-2 International Conference on Syria as soon as possible, under the auspices of United Nations with a view to facilitating negotiations between the Syrian parties on the implementation of the final Communiqué of the Action Group (Geneva-I). They stressed that any settlement of the crisis should meet the legitimate aspirations of all sections of Syrian society and respect for Syrian independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty.

10. They strongly condemned the use of chemical weapons in any circumstances. The Ministers noted the recent developments which offer an opportunity for the peaceful resolution of the Syrian conflict. They welcomed the decision of the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic to accede to the Chemical Weapons Convention and the commitment of the Syrian authorities to provisionally apply the Convention prior to its entry into force. The Ministers highlighted the need to avoid further militarization of the conflict and to immediately stop the external supply of weapons to all sides.

11. Recalling their Declaration on Middle East Peace Process issued in August 2013, the Ministers reiterated that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains an urgent and key issue for the international community, the resolution of which is a prerequisite for building a sustainable and lasting peace in the Middle East region. They welcomed the resumption of negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis. The Ministers called for the UN Security Council to remain seized of the matter and to provide support to the peace process until its satisfactory conclusion.

12. The Ministers stressed that peace and stability in Afghanistan is in the interest of both the country and the international community. It is crucial that the international community remain committed to Afghanistan in the form of development and security assistance during this period of transition and transformation. The Ministers recognized that the main threat to Afghanistan’s security and stability is terrorism which also endangers regional and global peace and security. They emphasized the need for joint and concerted efforts to address the challenge of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the dismantling of terrorist sanctuaries and safe havens beyond Afghanistan’s borders, as well as disrupting all financial and tactical support for terrorism.

13. The Ministers expressed their concern over the unauthorized practices of illegal interception of communications and data from citizens, businesses and members of governments by foreign governments and businesses. They underlined that this constitutes serious violation of national sovereignty and individual rights, and is incompatible with the democratic coexistence between friendly countries. They also reaffirmed their willingness to discuss these issues openly and cooperate in relevant multilateral fora to secure the development of appropriate international governance on cyber security.

14. The Ministers welcomed the outcomes of the 8th G20 Summit held under the Russian Presidency. They stressed the need for the G20 to remain focussed on the core issues of addressing coordination of macro-economic policies to deal with the evolving global economic and financial issues and also on reform of institutions of global economic governance. The Ministers noted that the G20 is not a substitute for the United Nations and other relevant international organizations.

15. The Ministers noted the significance and relevance of MDGs and the contribution it has made to the social and economic development of countries across the globe. While emphasizing the need to accelerate the implementation of MDGs, the Ministers underlined their commitment to the overarching goal of poverty alleviation and, in that context, expressed hope that the post-2015 Development Agenda will be focused on poverty eradication, economic growth, job creation, social inclusion and sustainable development. They emphasized that it should be applicable to both developed and developing countries and at the same time preserve the national policy space and priorities of developing countries. They reaffirmed that the Rio principles, in particular, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, must form the bedrock of the sustainable development agenda. The Ministers acknowledged that provision of additional financial resources, technology development and transfer as well as capacity building assistance from developed to developing countries are key components of any international compact for development cooperation. They recognized the need for launching of intergovernmental negotiations to finalize the post-2015 development agenda. In this context, the concerted actions by India, Brazil and South Africa, as vibrant democracies with large populations will be of extreme importance to build any new development agenda.

16. Recalling the 20th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Plan of Action, the Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the promotion and protection of all human rights and called for further cooperation among them in this area, both within the IBSA framework and in multilateral fora.

17. The Ministers reiterated the need for Members to work with an open mind and show flexibility in the forthcoming 9th World Trade Organization's Ministerial conference to be held in Bali, Indonesia, in December 2013 and expressed hope that it will catalyse a successful and balanced conclusion of the Doha Round, in accordance with its development mandate benefitting the poorest and most vulnerable countries.

18. The Ministers looked forward to the 8th IBSA Trilateral Commission Meeting to be hosted by South Africa.

New York
25 September 2013