• Strengthening Multilateral Cooperation: The BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Relations met in Cape Town, South Africa, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening multilateralism, upholding international law, and enhancing the representation of developing countries in global institutions. They also expressed support for the IMF governance reform and the appointment of former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff as the President of the New Development Bank.
• Addressing Global Challenges: The Ministers emphasized the importance of combating terrorism, promoting financial inclusion, and strengthening arms control mechanisms. They also expressed serious concern over continued conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa region and endorsed efforts towards peaceful resolution.
• Promoting Sustainable Development: The BRICS group committed to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and supporting a rules-based multilateral trading system. They condemned unilateral protectionist measures under the pretext of environmental concerns and expressed support for the use of local currencies in international trade and financial transactions.

CAPE TOWN – The BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Relations convened in Cape Town, South Africa, on June 1, 2023, to discuss major global and regional trends and issues, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the framework of BRICS cooperation.

The BRICS group, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, reiterated their commitment to strengthening multilateralism and upholding international law, including the principles enshrined in the United Nations (UN) Charter. They expressed concern about the use of unilateral coercive measures, which they deemed incompatible with the principles of the UN Charter and detrimental to the developing world.

The Ministers also called for reforms of the principal organs of the United Nations, including the UN Security Council (UNSC), to make them more representative, effective, and efficient. China and Russia, in particular, emphasized the importance of Brazil, India, and South Africa’s roles in international affairs and supported their aspiration to play a greater role in the UN.

The BRICS Ministers underscored the importance of the G20 as the premier multilateral forum for economic cooperation. They expressed support for India, Brazil, and South Africa, who will be chairing the G20 from 2023 to 2025, and wished them success in their presidencies.

The Ministers also highlighted the importance of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and expressed their support for a rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its core. They condemned unilateral protectionist measures under the pretext of environmental concerns, such as unilateral and discriminatory carbon border adjustment mechanisms, taxes, and other measures.

The Ministers expressed their support for a robust Global Financial Safety Net with a quota-based and adequately resourced International Monetary Fund (IMF) at its center. They called for the continuation of the IMF governance reform process under the 16th General Review of Quotas, to be completed by December 15, 2023.

The Ministers congratulated Ms. Dilma Rousseff, former President of Brazil, on her appointment as President of the New Development Bank (NOB) and expressed confidence in her ability to strengthen the NOB in effectively achieving its mandate.

The Ministers also emphasized the importance of financial inclusion and encouraged the use of local currencies in international trade and financial transactions between BRICS and their trading partners.

The Ministers reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to effectively curb terrorist activities.

The Ministers also called for strengthening the system of arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation, and for preserving the integrity and effectiveness of 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).

The Ministers expressed serious concern over continued conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and endorsed the Joint Statement by BRICS Deputy Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys at their meeting of April 26, 2023.

The Ministers expressed their full support to South Africa’s BRICS Chairship in 2023 under the theme “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism”. They expressed their commitment to working together to ensure the success of the XV BRICS Summit.

The BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Relations are expected to meet again on the margins of UNGA78, hosted bythe Russian Federation, the incoming Chair of BRICS in 2024.

The BRICS group, representing over 40% of the world’s population, has been a significant force in shaping the global economic and political landscape. The recent meeting underscores their commitment to multilateralism, sustainable development, and global governance reform, reflecting their growing influence in international affairs.

The Ministers’ emphasis on the importance of the G20, the UN, and the WTO in addressing global challenges highlights their commitment to a rules-based international order. Their support for the IMF governance reform and the appointment of former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff as the President of the New Development Bank further underscores their commitment to enhancing the representation of developing countries in global financial institutions.

The BRICS group’s focus on combating terrorism, promoting financial inclusion, and strengthening arms control mechanisms demonstrates their commitment to addressing some of the most pressing global challenges. Their support for the use of local currencies in international trade and financial transactions also indicates their efforts to reduce reliance on major global currencies and enhance financial stability.

The BRICS group’s commitment to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and their support for a rules-based multilateral trading system reflect their commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth. Their condemnation of unilateral protectionist measures under the pretext of environmental concerns further underscores their commitment to fair and equitable international trade.

The BRICS group’s emphasis on the importance of women in peace processes and their concern over conflicts in the MENA region reflect their commitment to promoting peace and stability in conflict-affected regions.

The BRICS group’s support for South Africa’s BRICS Chairship in 2023 and their commitment to ensuring the success of the XV BRICS Summit reflect their commitment to strengthening BRICS cooperation and enhancing their collective influence in international affairs.

As the BRICS group continues to grow in influence, their commitment to multilateralism, sustainable development, and global governance reform will be critical in shaping the global economic and political landscape in the years to come.