Explained: Dynamics of the 15th BRICS Summit 2023

It was the first in-person summit of BRICS comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, since 2019 and was chaired in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The World Leaders from the different Nations held productive discussions on global economic recovery, cooperation with Africa and the Global South, and progress on the BRICS agenda. The Summit gave a platform to discuss issues of concern for the Global South and other areas of development.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the 15th BRICS Summit held under South Africa’s chair-ship, in Johannesburg on 23 August 2023.

During his address, PM Modi called for a strengthened BRICS that will be:

B – Breaking barriers
R – Revitalising economies
I – Inspiring Innovation
C – Creating opportunities
S – Shaping the future

Johannesburg II Declaration: XV BRICS Summit 2023

The Johannesburg II Declaration is an official agreement among the member nations during the 15^th BRICS Summit 2023. The Declaration is jeweled with a Preamble with cruxes on Inclusive Multilateralism, Environment, Peace and Development, Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development, People-to-People Exchanges, and Institutional Development.

The Preamble:

• The Preamble of the BRICS (Johannesburg II) Declaration specifies that the leaders of the member state unitedly agree on the theme: “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism”.
• They reaffirm our commitment to the BRICS spirit of mutual respect and understanding, sovereign equality, solidarity, democracy, openness, inclusiveness, strengthened collaboration, and consensus.
• Commitment to strengthen the framework of mutually beneficial BRICS cooperation under the three pillars of political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people cooperation and to enhancing the strategic partnership for the benefit of the people.

Partnership for Inclusive Multilateralism:

• Commitment to inclusive multilateralism and upholding international law, including the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations (UN) to maintain peace and security, advance sustainable development, and ensure the promotion and protection of democracy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms for all.
• Greater representation of emerging markets and developing countries, in international organizations and multilateral fora.
• Promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms under the principles of equality and mutual respect.
• Agreement to strengthen cooperation on issues of common interests both within BRICS and in multilateral fora including the United Nations General Assembly and Human Rights Council.
• Supporting open, transparent, fair, predictable, inclusive, equitable, non-discriminatory, and rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its core, with special and differential treatment (S&DT) for developing countries, including Least Developed Countries.
• Call for the restoration of a fully and well-functioning two-tier binding WTO dispute settlement system accessible to all members by 2024, and the selection of new Appellate Body Members without further delay.
• Reformation of the Bretton Woods institutions, including for a greater role for emerging markets and developing countries, including in leadership positions in the Bretton Woods institutions, that 4 reflect the role of emerging markets and developing economies (EMDCs) in the world.

Peace, Development, and Mutually Accelerated Growth:

• Commitment to the peaceful resolution of differences and disputes through dialogue and inclusive consultations in a coordinated and cooperative manner.
• Increased participation of women in peace processes including in conflict prevention and resolution, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, post-conflict reconstruction and development, and sustaining peace.
• Emphasis on contributing to post-conflict countries’ reconstruction and development to assist countries in meeting their development goals.
• Welcoming the positive developments in the Middle East and the efforts by BRICS countries to support development, security, and stability in the region; and the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
• Supporting efforts conducive to a political and negotiated solution that respects Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity and the promotion of a lasting settlement to the Syrian crisis.
• Reiterating the need to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue through peaceful and diplomatic means in accordance with international law.
• Condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing networks, and safe havens.
• Commitment to strengthen international cooperation and our collaboration against corruption and continue to implement the relevant international agreements in this regard, in particular the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
• Encouragement of multilateral financial institutions and international organizations to play a constructive role in building global consensus on economic policies and preventing systemic risks of economic disruption and financial fragmentation, with the help of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs).
• Addressing the international debt agenda properly to support economic recovery and sustainable development, while taking into account each nation’s laws and internal procedures.
• We commit to strengthening intra-BRICS cooperation to intensify the BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR) and create new opportunities for accelerating industrial development, and human resource development on new technologies.
• Establishment of the BRICS Think Tank Network for Finance in 2022 and efforts to operationalize the Network towards the identification and designation of the lead Think Tanks from member countries.
• Continued cooperation on topics of mutual interest on sustainable and transition finance, information security, financial technology, and payments, and look forward to building on work in these areas under the relevant work streams.

Partnership for Sustainable Development:

• Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in its three dimensions: economic, social, and environmental, in a balanced and integrated manner.
• Implementing the SDGs in an integrated and holistic manner, inter alia through poverty eradication as well as combating climate change whilst promoting sustainable land use and water management, conservation of biological diversity, and the sustainable use of its components and biodiversity.
• Prioritizing the significance of technology and innovation, international cooperation, public-private partnerships, including South-South cooperation.
• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and working towards the Global Initiative on Reducing Land Degradation and Enhancing Conservation of Terrestrial Habitats.
• Emphasis on the importance of implementing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Paris Agreement and the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC).
• Collective capacity for global pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, and strengthening our ability to fight back against such pandemics in the future.
• Efficient use of all energy sources, namely: renewable energy, including biofuels, hydropower, fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and hydrogen produced based on zero and low-emission technologies and processes, which are crucial for a just transition towards more flexible, resilient, and sustainable energy systems.
• Importance placed by South Africa as BRICS Chair on Transforming Education and Skills Development for the Future to ensure mobility of skilled professionals, academics, and students and recognition of qualifications obtained in each other’s countries subject to compliance of applicable domestic laws.

Deepening People-to-People Exchanges:

• Enhancing mutual understanding, friendship, and cooperation in the fields of media, culture, education, sports, arts, youth, civil society, and academic exchanges, enriching our societies, and developing our economies.
• Reiterating the importance of the BRICS Youth Summit as a forum for meaningful engagement on youth matters and recognizing its value as a coordinating structure for youth engagement in BRICS for the BRICS Youth Council Framework.
• Acknowledgment of the critical role of women in economic development and commend the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance.
• Commitment to support the participation of cultural enterprises, museums, and institutions in international exhibitions and festivals, hosted by BRICS countries and extend mutual assistance in the organization of such events.

Indian Prime Minister Modi at the BRICS Summit 2023:

• The Prime Minister announced his participation in the BRICS-Africa media and the BRICS Plus dialogue, indicating his intention to engage with countries outside the core BRICS group.
• PM Modi supported the decision to add new members stating that it will strengthen Global Unity and increase confidence in the idea of ​​a Multipolar World order.
• Prime Minister Modi highlighted India’s rapid economic growth and predicted that it would become one of the World’s Greatest Economies in the coming years.
• The Prime Minister of India proposed the formation of the BRICS Space Research Consortium to promote cooperation in the field of technology and space research.
• The summit saw bilateral talks between the Prime Minister of India and the President of China for, the first time since the Indo-China military stand-off at the Line of Actual control.
• The two nations’ leaders have agreed for the disengagement of troops and demilitarization of tensions at the LAC.

Other Key Features:

• The theme of the 15th BRICS Summit was “BRICS and Africa: Accelerating Growth, Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism”.
• BRICS marked its 15th summit by expanding its membership from five to eleven countries, thereby magnifying its global profile.
• Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Ethiopia, and Argentina joined the BRICS group, strengthening the group’s presence in the Middle East, Africa, and South America.
• The enlarged BRICS-11 is logically more continued on the lines of Globalisation. Among the new members, some nations are going through a crisis, while, some are moving forward. This may indicate a wider agenda extending beyond economics.

Disclaimer: The article is based on the following sources of information: The Press Bureau Information of BRICS Summit 2023, and Indian Express.