declaration
17 October 2007
1. The Prime Minister of India, His Excellency Dr Manmohan Singh, the
President of Brazil, His Excellency Mr Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the
President of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Thabo Mbeki (thereafter referred
as "the leaders") met in Tshwane, South Africa, on 17 October 2007, for the
second Summit of the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum.
2. The leaders recognised that since its inception in 2003, the IBSA
Dialogue Forum provided a strong framework for trilateral co-operation in
several key sectoral areas amongst IBSA partners. They noted that IBSA also
provides them an important instrument for co-operation on regional and
international issues and promoting the interests of the developing countries,
thus contributing to the strengthening and deepening of South-South
co-operation.
3. The leaders adopted the outcome of the fourth Ministerial Commission held
in New Delhi on 17 July 2007.
4. The leaders recommitted themselves to vigorously pursue the deepening of
South-South co-operation for sustainable development. They reaffirmed their
shared commitment to the eradication of poverty through sustained and inclusive
economic growth. They highlighted the importance of implementing the principles
adopted in the Rio Declaration, Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of
Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, particularly the
principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and emphasised that
capacity and institution building is a key to global sustainable
development.
5. The leaders acknowledged with appreciation the continued participation by
academia and business leaders. The leaders are satisfied that the participation
by civil society contributed to the enhancing the visibility of IBSA. They also
applauded the commitment by the peoples of the three countries to participate
at the Music and Dance Festival in Brazil later in October 2007.
6. The leaders welcomed and applauded the coming together of
parliamentarians from India, Brazil and South Africa and the fruitful talks
they had as an important contribution to people to people relations and
strengthening of the IBSA Dialogue.
7. The leaders welcomed and fully supported the launch of the Women's Forum
which strengthens participation of women in IBSA and recognised the fundamental
contribution of women in the social, cultural and economic development of
India, Brazil and South Africa. They reaffirmed their commitment to the
promotion of gender equality and women's rights.
8. The leaders reiterated the importance of strengthening the global
governance system as it forms a critical ingredient for promoting peace,
security and sustainable socio-economic development. They reaffirmed their
abiding commitment and faith in multilateralism, with the United Nations
playing the pre-eminent role.
They reiterated that the international system cannot be reordered
meaningfully without a comprehensive reform of the United Nations. The leaders
emphasised that the reform of the Security Council is central to this process
to ensure that the UN system reflects contemporary realities. They expressed
their full support for a genuine reform and expansion of the Security Council,
in permanent and non-permanent categories of membership, with greater
representation for developing countries in both.
They reiterated that inter-governmental negotiations on the issue of
Security Council reform must commence forthwith. They agreed to further
strengthen co-operation amongst their countries and with other member states
interested in a genuine reform of the Security Council. They also reaffirmed
the need for concerted efforts by member states towards revitalisation of the
General Assembly.
9. The leaders emphasised their commitment to the goal of the complete
elimination of nuclear weapons and expressed concern over the lack of progress
in the realisation of this goal. They emphasised that nuclear disarmament and
nuclear non-proliferation are mutually reinforcing processes requiring
continuous, irreversible progress on both fronts, and reaffirmed, in this
regard, that the objective of non-proliferation would be best served by the
systematic and progressive elimination of nuclear weapons in a comprehensive,
universal, non-discriminatory and verifiable manner.
They further emphasised the necessity to start negotiations on a phased
programme for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons with a specified
framework of time to eliminate nuclear weapons, to prohibit their development,
production, acquisition, testing, stockpiling, transfer, use or threat of use,
and to provide for their destruction.
10. The leaders strongly emphasised the need for ensuring the supply of
safe, sustainable and non-polluting sources of energy to meet the rising global
demand for energy, particularly in developing countries. In this context, they
agreed to explore approaches to co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear
energy under appropriate International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA)
safeguards.
They further agreed that international civilian nuclear co-operation, under
appropriate IAEA safeguards, amongst countries committed to nuclear disarmament
and non-proliferation objectives and could be enhanced through acceptable
forward-looking approaches, consistent with their respective national and
international obligations. They also reiterated the importance of ensuring that
any multilateral decisions related to the nuclear fuel cycle do not undermine
the inalienable right of States to pursue nuclear energy for peaceful purposes
in conformity with their international legal obligations.
11. The leaders called for the international community to work together on
Climate Change under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities
and respective capabilities. They urged all developed countries to take more
ambitious and quantifiable green house gas (GHG) emission reduction targets in
the post 2012 period under the Kyoto Protocol.
Moreover they stressed the imperative of addressing unsustainable patterns
of production and consumption. This would also spur the Carbon market and
significantly enhance the Clean Development Mechanism's contribution to
sustainable development, financial flows and transfer of clean technologies to
developing countries. They urged that significant progress is needed in Bali in
December 2007.
12. The leaders stressed the disproportionately high impact of Climate
Change on developing countries with their greater vulnerability, inadequate
means and limited capacities to adapt to its effects. They emphasised the
importance for adequate, new and additional financing for the adaptation
efforts of developing countries without diverting resources for development.
There should be no foreclosure of opportunities for developing countries to
secure the technological and financial resources required for adaptation
through development.
13. The leaders urged an agreement on innovative modalities for the
development, transfer and commercialisation of technologies, including clean
coal technologies, at affordable costs to developing countries noting that
rewards for innovators need to be balanced with common good for humankind. They
also urged the international community to work in a collaborative manner for
the development and deployment of renewables, biofuels and biomass and advanced
clean technologies. In this connection they welcomed the work done by the
International Forum on Biofuels and underlined the importance of the
International Conference on Biofuels, to be held in 2008.
14. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the promotion and protection
of human rights for all. They expressed their commitment towards developing the
institutional framework of the Human Rights Council, including the Universal
Periodic Review Mechanism, based on effective international co-operation. They
reaffirmed their determination to work towards the operationalisation of the
right to development.
15. The leaders reaffirmed that terrorism constitutes one of the most
serious threats to international peace and security. They strongly condemned
terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever
and for whatever purpose. They stressed that there can be no justification,
whatsoever, for any acts of terrorism. They emphasised the need for concerted
and co-operative action by the international community to realise the
objectives of eradicating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. In
this regard, they called for the early adoption of a Comprehensive Convention
against International Terrorism. They emphasised that international
co-operation in combating terrorism should be conducted in conformity with the
principles of the UN Charter, relevant UN Resolutions and International
Conventions and Human Rights.
16. The leaders noted the progress being made on the African continent
towards the achievement of peace, security, stability and development. They
reaffirmed their determination to support these efforts while noting the
inextricable link between peace and security on the one hand, and development
on the other. They commended the efforts of the African Union and noted the
ongoing work to strengthen its structures.
17. The leaders reiterated their firm belief in the New Partnership for
Africa's Development (Nepad) a key framework for socio-economic development in
Africa. They acknowledged that the Pan-African Infrastructure Development Fund
will, as it evolves, help accelerate Africa's growth and development to meet
the objectives as set out in the Nepad. In this regard, the IBSA partners
agreed to associate with the development of the fund in accordance with their
respective rules and regulations.
18. The leaders called upon all parties in the Sudan to recommit themselves
to the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) to its spirit
and letter, as it is the viable option to the resolution of the conflict in the
Sudan. They urged all parties involved in the conflict in Darfur to participate
in the forthcoming Darfur peace talks in Libya.
In the same vein they expressed their concern at the increasing violence in
Darfur and in this respect; call on all the parties in Darfur to exercise
restraint. They call upon the international community to provide financial and
material support for the deployment of the UN-AU Hybrid Force and the
alleviation of the humanitarian situation in Darfur.
19. The leaders reflected on the situation in Zimbabwe and took note of the
positive progress of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
initiative to promote a negotiated political solution in Zimbabwe between the
Government of Zimbabwe and the opposition party, under the facilitation of
President Thabo Mbeki. They reiterated the need for the international community
to continue its support for the people of Zimbabwe in order to overcome the
challenges they are facing.
20. The leaders reaffirmed their long-term commitment for a democratic,
prosperous and stable Afghanistan. They reiterated that a coherent and united
international effort, in its military, political and developmental aspects, to
assist the Government of Afghanistan remained vital. They underlined their
centrality of the regional aspect in the reconstruction and development
process.
They strongly condemned the continued terrorist attacks by the Taliban on
aid âworkers, civilians, Afghan and international forces. The agreed that the
international community needed to act resolutely and with determination, in
co-ordination with the Government of Afghanistan, in facing the challenge of
the resurgence of the Taliban and Al Qaeda.
21. The leaders reflected upon the Middle East Peace Process and looked
forward to progress towards goals of the Arab and all other major ongoing peace
initiatives, including elements of the Roadmap, by means of intensified and
meaningful dialogue among Israel, Palestine and other countries resulting in
the establishment of an independent, sovereign, viable and united state of
Palestine, living side by side at peace with Israel, within recognized and
well-defined borders.
22. The leaders, in recognition of the many commonalities in the three
countries in the socio-economic areas, welcomed the preparation of an
integrated IBSA Social Development Strategy which will build on the best
practices of the three countries for serving as a blue print for South-South
Co-operation.
23. The leaders noted that World Trade Organisation (WTO) Doha Round of
trade negotiations is entering a critical stage. These negotiations are now in
a genuine multilateral process, with draft modalities texts for agriculture and
industrial goods that provide a good basis for negotiations. They reaffirmed
their commitment to carry out negotiations towards an outcome that is fair and
acceptable to all.
24. The leaders reiterated the importance of the development dimension of
the Round and welcomed the strengthened engagement, solidarity, and
co-operation among developing countries in that process.
25. The leaders underlined that agriculture remains the key to the
conclusion of the Round. To truly deliver on the development benefits of the
Round, they called for the removal of long-standing distortions and
restrictions in international agricultural trade, such as subsidies and trade
barriers that affect the agricultural exports of and domestic production in
developing countries. They also asserted that developed countries must agree to
substantial and effective cuts in the latter's trade distorting support, with
new disciplines that prevent box shifting and commit to real and new trade
flows in agriculture. They underscored that meaningful and operable special and
differential treatment, which includes development instruments of Special
Products and the Special Safeguard Mechanism are vital to address the concerns
of developing countries with subsistence and low-income farmers.
26. The leaders emphasised that any progress towards achieving the above
goals is a development imperative and should not be linked with meeting the
disproportionate demands by developed countries in the non-agricultural market
access (Nama) and services negotiations.
27. The leaders asserted that developing countries have been constructive
and willing to negotiate in all areas. They urged others to act with the same
disposition.
28. The leaders recalled their commitment to making a contribution to market
opening in the Doha Round in agriculture, Nama and services that will create
new trade flows. They also committed to ensure that the process of the
negotiations is not held hostage to "who goes first." They reaffirmed their
conviction that all members must "move together" to arrive at a balanced and
fair outcome of the negotiations.
29. The leaders stated that through constant dialogue, reciprocal
flexibility, non-dogmatic approach and good faith efforts, full modalities in
the agriculture and industrial goods negotiations could be achieved before the
year-end, together with equivalent results in other areas. They reaffirmed
their commitment to achieving such a positive outcome within this
framework.
30. The leaders underscored the importance of incorporating the development
dimension in international discussions concerning intellectual property. They
reaffirmed that intellectual property is not an end in itself, but one of the
instruments to encourage innovation for technological, industrial and economic
and social development. They also recalled that it is fundamental to preserve
policy spaces necessary for ensuring access to knowledge, promoting public
goals in the fields of health and culture, and a sustainable environment. In
this context, they welcomed the adoption of 45 recommendations of concrete
actions regarding the "Development Agenda" by this year's World Intellectual
Property Organisation (WIPO) General Assembly, as well as the establishment of
the WIPO Permanent Committee on Development and Intellectual Property.
31. The leaders reaffirmed the need to reach a solution for the problem
raised by the granting of intellectual property rights on biological resources
and/or associated traditional knowledge, without due compliance with relevant
provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity, such as the granting of
erroneous patents or the registration of undue trademarks. In this regard, they
recalled the presentation in the WTO of the proposal co-sponsored, among
others, by the three IBSA countries to amend the Trade-Related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement by introducing a mandatory
requirement for the disclosure of origin, prior informed consent and also fair
and equitable benefit sharing of biological resources and/or associated
traditional knowledge used in inventions for which applications for
intellectual property rights are filed.
32. The leaders welcomed the ongoing discussion in the Inter-Governmental
Working Group (IGWG) on Intellectual Property and Public Health of the World
Health Organisation (WHO). They stated the important role of the WHO in the
discussion of the impacts of intellectual property protection on public health
and on the access to medicines.
33. The leaders agreed to work towards a trilateral initiative on
co-operation in the field of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) concerning
capacity building activities, human resource development and public awareness
programmes.
34. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the envisaged India-Southern
Common Market-South Africa Customs Union (India-Mercosur-SACU) Trilateral Free
Trade Agreement (T-FTA), and welcomed the initial meeting amongst the
representatives of SACU, Mercosur and India on a possible T-FTA during the
exploratory discussions held in Pretoria on the 6th October 2007. They also
noted with satisfaction that all sides agreed to continue discussions on the
trilateral trade arrangement. They urged the need for sustained efforts to
realise early an India-Mercosur-SACU FTA. In this regard, the leaders supported
the proposal to hold a Trilateral Ministerial meeting in 2008. They also
welcomed the significant progress made in Mercosur-SACU negotiations in
Pretoria, on 8 to 9 October 2007, as well as the launching of the SACU-India
negotiations in the meeting held in Pretoria on 5 to 6 October 2007.
Mercosur-SACU, Mercosur-India and India-SACU negotiations laid the basis for
achieving the goal of a T-FTA.
35. The leaders expressed the importance of regular interaction among
businesspersons of the three countries, with government authorities playing a
facilitating role in the process, for sharply enhancing the momentum of trade
and investment with a view to fully utilising the large and growing
opportunities in their markets. For the continued expansion of trade,
investment and economic ties, the leaders encouraged the implementation of
further initiatives amongst IBSA countries on standards, customs procedures,
intellectual property rights, small and medium enterprise development,
business-to-business linkages and participation in trade exhibitions.
36. The leaders underlined the need to provide a greater voice for and
participation by developing countries in the Bretton Woods Institutions and
expressed concern at the slow rate of progress that has been achieved so far.
They acknowledged the role of the G20 as a key forum on global economic
development and governance and looked forward to its contribution to
accelerating governance reforms in the Bretton Woods Institutions.
37. The leaders expressed their concern that many developing countries are
still far from achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). They
expressed their determination to mobilize support in this regard, with the
specific objective to intensify common efforts towards achieving the MDGs and
other internationally agreed development goals embodied in the Monterrey
Consensus.
They particularly stressed the need to address the problem of developing
countries debt, increase the Official Development Assistance (ODA) flows and
reduce the inequalities in the international trading system. They committed to
close co-operation amongst IBSA partner countries while preparing for the
"Financing for Development" Review conference that will take place in Doha,
Qatar, in the second half of 2008. In this regard, they emphasised the
importance of enhancing international efforts to develop innovative financial
mechanisms to fight poverty and hunger.
38. The leaders reiterated the importance and uniqueness of the IBSA Fund
Facility for South-South Co-operation for the benefit of other developing
countries. They noted with satisfaction the South-South Partnership Award
received by the Fund from the United Nations (UN). They also agreed for a more
effective mechanism for the utilisation of the Fund.
39. The leaders underscored the importance of vibrant sectoral co-operation
for providing a firm foundation of the IBSA Forum.
40. The leaders stressed the need for improved air and maritime connectivity
among IBSA countries for expanding trade, investment and tourism. In this
regard, they encouraged the concerned authorities to work towards achieving
this important goal on a priority basis. They expressed the hope that by the
time of the Third Summit in India, effective and innovative solutions would
have been put in place to mitigate this problem.
41. The leaders called for the establishment of joint projects and
collaboration for the increased usage of alternative sources of energy such as
bio-fuels, synthetic fuels, wind and solar energy to help achieve the objective
of energy security which can bring significant reduction in greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions.
42. The leaders expressed the need to promote and enhance co-operation among
the IBSA partners in the information and communications technology (ICT)
infrastructure development, including for the Soccer World Cup being hosted by
South Africa and the Commonwealth Games by India in 2010.
43. The leaders welcomed the progress made in the sector of Education with
the identification of areas of co-operation. In pursuance of this, they
encouraged holding of workshops and seminars, exchange of information and joint
projects. They also welcomed avenues of co-operation among the diplomatic
institutes of IBSA countries.
44. The leaders also called for an early implementation of the Action Plan
in the sector of health and called upon the IBSA Health Ministers to meet
within the next three months. Co-operation in this area is of particular
importance and needs to be energised.
45. The leaders appreciated the initiative being taken with regard to
formulation of joint projects in the sector of agriculture and expressed the
need for their expeditious implementation, for the purpose of inclusive growth
and benefits to farmers. They further expressed the need to explore
co-operation in the field of food processing.
46. The leaders stressed the need to explore avenues of co-operation in the
sector of defence for the common benefit of the three countries.
47. While underlining the importance of co-operation in the science and
technology sector, they emphasised the need for immediate action to start
implementation of joint research projects. They welcomed the creation of a seed
fund of US$ 1 million in each country for collaborative activities.
48. The leaders welcomed the signing of Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs)
and Agreements on co-operation in areas of wind resources, health and
medicines, culture, social issues, public administration, higher education and
on customs and tax administration co-operation, which will help further deepen
trilateral cooperation among IBSA partners.
49. The leaders supported the establishment of two additional Working Groups
on "Human Settlement Development" and "Environment and Climate Change" to
further enhance the scope of trilateral sectoral co-operation.
50. The leaders called for an intra-IBSA trade target of US$ 15 billion by
2010 and urged business and industry to be even more ambitious and exceed this
target.
51. South Africa and Brazil welcomed the offer by India to host the third
IBSA Summit in 2008.
52. The President of Brazil and the Prime Minister of India expressed their
deep gratitude to the President and the people of South Africa for successfully
convening the second IBSA Summit which represented a new milestone in the
progressive development of IBSA.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
17 October 2007
