At the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Foreign Ministers of BRICS member nations gathered for their annual meeting, marking a significant event. The session was presided over by the Russian Federation, which is poised to take on the role of the BRICS Chair for 2024.

The BRICS ministers expressed a resolute stance on the continued effectiveness of the G20 and commended the 18th G20 Summit's successful organization in New Delhi under India's Presidency. Furthermore, they extended a warm welcome to the African Union, which has now become a permanent member of the G20.

"They noted the opportunities to build sustained momentum for change by India, Brazil, and South Africa presiding over the G20 from 2023-2025 and expressed support for continuity and collaboration in their G20 presidencies and wished them all success in their endeavors. Therefore, they reiterated their commitment to a balanced approach by continuing to amplify and further integrate the voice of the global South in the G20 agenda as under the Indian Presidency in 2023 and the Brazilian and South African Presidencies in 2024 and 2025," the media statement read.

The BRICS Ministers unequivocally denounced terrorism in all its variations and actions, regardless of the time, place, or perpetrators. They acknowledged the menace posed by terrorism, the factors encouraging extremism conducive to terrorism, and radicalization.

Their commitment extended to the comprehensive fight against terrorism, encompassing activities such as the movement of terrorists across borders, the networks facilitating terrorism financing, and the existence of safe locations. Additionally, they emphasized that terrorism should not be linked with any particular religion, nationality, culture, or ethnic background.

"They reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to contribute further to the global efforts of preventing and countering the threat of terrorism on the basis of respect for international law, in particular the Charter of the United Nations, and human rights, emphasizing that States have the primary responsibility in combating terrorism with the United Nations continuing to play central and coordinating role in this area," the statement read.

The BRICS Ministers underlined the importance of a unified and equitable approach by the global community to effectively address the significant threat of terrorist activities, even in the current pandemic context. They rejected any instances of dual standards in efforts to combat terrorism and the factors leading to terrorism.

"They called for expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework and for launching multilateral negotiations on an international convention for the suppression of acts of chemical and biological terrorism, at the Conference of Disarmament. They welcomed the activities of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group and its five Subgroups based upon the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Action Plan. They looked forward to further deepening counter-terrorism cooperation," the statement added.

The BRICS Foreign Ministers voiced their backing for a comprehensive overhaul of the United Nations, including its Security Council. They also affirmed their support for the legitimate aspirations of Brazil, India, and South Africa to assume more significant roles within the UN Security Council.

"The Foreign Ministers also supported a comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of developing countries in the Council's memberships so that it can adequately respond to prevailing global challenges, and supported the legitimate aspirations of emerging and developing countries from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, including Brazil, India, and South Africa, to play a greater role in international affairs, in particular in the United Nations, including its Security Council," the statement further added.

BRICS Foreign Ministers reiterated the consensus achieved during the 15th BRICS Summit on expansion guidelines. They highlighted the decision to invite Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates as full BRICS members from January 1, 2024.

"Brazil, India, China, and South Africa extended their full support to Russia for its BRICS Chairship in 2024 under the theme 'Strengthening of multilateralism for the purposes of just global development and security' and the holding of the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia," the media statement read.

The statement further mentioned that the Foreign Ministers anticipate the dedicated gathering of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations in Russia in 2024.

Image source: ANI