Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum
17 July 2007
1. The Minister of External Affairs of India, HE Mr Pranab Mukherjee, the
Minister of External Relations of Brazil, H.E Mr Celso Amorim, and the Minister
of Foreign Affairs of South Africa, HE Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, met in New
Delhi on 17 July 2007 for the Fourth Meeting of the Trilateral Commission of
the IBSA Dialogue Forum.
2. The Ministers reaffirmed the IBSA Dialogue as an important mechanism for
political consultations and co-ordination on important regional and global
developments. The Ministers reconfirmed their determination to play a
constructive role in international affairs and to maintain friendly relations
with all countries. The Ministers called for enhancing socio-economic
co-operation in various sectors among India, Brazil and South Africa, inter
alia, by implementation of decisions taken earlier.
Global issues
Global governance
3. The Ministers stressed the need to make the structures of global
governance more democratic, representative and legitimate by increasing the
participation of developing countries in the decision-making bodies of
multilateral institutions.
4. The Ministers reiterated their continued support for the reform of the
United Nations to make it more democratic and responsive to the priorities of
its Member States, particularly those of developing countries that constitute
the vast majority of its membership.
5. The Ministers emphasised that the Security Council must, in its
composition, represent contemporary realities and not those of the year 1945.
Keeping in view that the decisions of the Security Council should serve the
interests of the larger United Nations (UN) Membership, the Ministers
emphasised the need for the urgent reform of the Security Council that would
include its expansion in both categories of membership, permanent and
non-permanent, in order to render it more democratic, legitimate,
representative and responsive.
6. Towards this end, the representation of developing countries from Africa,
Asia and Latin America, as permanent members of the Security Council, is
essential. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to continue to jointly
pursue a decision on the Security Council expansion. In this regard, they noted
the ongoing efforts at the United Nations. This commitment will be pursued on
an urgent basis, with a view to achieving concrete results by the end of the
61st UN General Assembly.
7. The Ministers welcomed the operationalisation of the Peace Building
Commission in June 2006 and the Peace Building Fund in October 2006. The
Ministers noted with satisfaction the Peace Building Commission's efforts to
provide medium and long-term peace consolidation advice to countries emerging
from conflict situations, as well as funding from the Peace Building Fund for
peace consolidation projects. With the cases of Sierra Leone and Burundi being
examined by the Peace Building Commission in their country - specific
configurations, the Peace Building Commission has produced satisfactory
results. However, in the year ahead, the Ministers noted the need for the Peace
Building Commission to work towards more practical and concrete outcomes from
its efforts to promote peace consolidation. In this context, as members of the
current Organisational Committee of the Peace Building Commission, the
Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to promote further concrete outcomes from
the Peace Building Commission in the year ahead.
8. The Ministers also expressed satisfaction on the first year of the
functioning of the Human Rights Council, created as part of the UN reform
process in 2006, and expressed their commitment to ensuring that it fulfils the
expectations of the international community. Following the establishment of the
Peace Building Commission and the Human Rights Council, the UN reform process
must now concentrate on reform of the Security Council.
9. The Ministers recommitted their respective delegations to the UN and its
specialised agencies, as well as other multilateral bodies, to remain in close
contact with each other and to consult on all issues of significance.
10. The Ministers stressed the necessity of reforming the International
Financial Architecture, specially by enhancing the voice and participation of
developing countries in the Bretton Woods institutions and expressed concern at
the slow rate of progress that has been achieved so far.
Millennium Development Goals
11. The Ministers stressed that achievement of the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs) as part of global efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger,
required international support. The Ministers noted with concern that
commitments undertaken by developed countries for increase in Official
Development Assistance (ODA) have not been fulfilled. The Ministers further
stressed the need by developed countries to liberalise trade and eliminate
subsidies on products of interest to developing countries. The Ministers also
reiterated the importance of capacity building and equity and transparency in
international economic relations for developing countries to achieve the MDGs,
especially sub-Saharan Africa. The Ministers underscored their agreement to
work together to eradicate poverty and promote sustained economic growth,
sustainable development and global prosperity for all.
International trade
Proposed Mercosur-India-SACU Trilateral Free Trade Area
12. With reference to paragraph 45 of the First IBSA Summit Meeting Joint
Declaration (BrasÃlia, 13 September 2006), the Ministers reaffirmed their
commitment to implementing the determination of the Heads of State and
Government concerning the expeditious establishment of the Working Group to
focus on the modalities for the envisaged India-Mercosur-SACU Trilateral Free
Trade Agreement (T-FTA). In this regard, India, South Africa and Brazil support
the establishment of the Working Group no later than early September 2007. As
members of SACU and MERCOSUR, respectively, South Africa will work with its
partners in SACU, and Brazil will work with Mercosur's pro-tempore President
with a view to setting a date and place for the first meeting of the Working
Group.
13. The Ministers noted that while global trade plays an important role in
fostering economic development and fighting poverty, it continues to face
important barriers and distortions particularly in the agricultural sector,
which affect the overall efforts of developing countries to enhance the
well-being of their societies.
14. The Ministers urged the World Trade Organisation (WTO) members to
reaffirm their commitments to achieve the necessary agreements, so as to
conclude the negotiations of the Doha Development Agenda. The Ministers
expressed the view that Brazil, India and South Africa as members of the WTO
Group of 20, share the belief that the cornerstone of the current negotiations
is the agricultural sector, which is of utmost relevance for the well-being of
our most vulnerable populations. In particular, agreement has to be reached to
eliminate trade distortions, especially those limiting access to the developed
countries' markets, including domestic support and other forms of internal
support instrumented by the developed countries. 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. The
Ministers emphasised that any progress towards achieving these aforementioned
goals will have a positive impact on the overall process of the Doha Round, in
particular in the NAMA and services negotiations.
15. The Ministers noted that an effective Aid for Trade programme will
enhance growth prospects and reduce poverty in developing countries. As this
requires substantial, additional, targeted resources for trade-related
programmes and projects, the Ministers urged developed countries to leverage
their aid for infrastructural development so that developing countries,
particularly least developed countries (LDCs), could benefit from the present
level of market access available to them.
16. The Ministers underlined that a more open world economy takes into
account the promotion of financial flows, notably foreign direct investment, in
a way that contributes to the sustainability of development, the transfer of
avant-garde technology and the creation of decent employment, all of which are
tools for the definitive fight against poverty.
Climate change
17. The Ministers noted that climate change is a global challenge with
strong economic, environmental and social dimensions. It impacts all countries,
but is particularly severe for developing countries, given their
vulnerabilities, inadequate means and limited capacities to adapt to its
effects. The recent reports of the IPCC have reaffirmed the need for urgent
action. The Ministers reaffirmed that at this critical juncture all countries
should do more in accordance with their common but differentiated
responsibilities and respective capabilities. The Ministers also urged that
immediate and real effect must be given to commitments on international
co-operation in fighting climate change, especially in the areas of adaptation,
technology transfer, capacity building and the development of the carbon
market. This co-operation should be framed by the need to address unsustainable
patterns of production and consumption.
18. The Ministers underlined that climate change is a global phenomenon that
requires an international response under the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Any new co-operative effort to tackle
climate change should not undermine the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol, but
rather complement these instruments. Greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation in
developed countries is key to address climate change given their
responsibilities in causing it. Developed countries must take the lead by
making further truly significant commitments at an early date for GHG
reductions in the period beyond 2012. Early and significant commitments would
give a long-term and strong signal to the private sector, including in its
involvement in climate related investments, and spur the carbon market. The
Clean Development Mechanism's contribution to sustainable development and
transfer of clean technologies to developing countries would also be enhanced
significantly.
19. The Ministers agreed that in the energy sector lies a strategic
opportunity for the IBSA partners to engage in a pioneer and fruitful dialogue
among developing countries with a view to strengthen co-ordination regarding
cross-cutting issues such as poverty eradication, climate change, energy
security and South-South co-operation.
20. The Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the successful launching
of the International Biofuels Forum which took place on 2 March 2007 in New
York and reaffirmed the importance of the efforts being made in the context of
the initiative to promote the establishment of an international market for
biofuels.
21. The Ministers welcomed the forthcoming realisation of the Biofuels
International Conference to be held in Brazil, in July 2008, to discuss how to
enhance international co-operation to promote the production and use of
biofuels in the global level. The Ministers mentioned the contribution of
biofuels as a cost-effective and immediate measure to address climate change
accessible to developing countries.
22. The Ministers stressed that in order for developing countries to
contribute to the efforts to address climate change, access to adequate
technology is a key enabling condition. The Ministers expressed that there was
need for an agreement on transfer of technologies at affordable costs for
accelerated mitigation efforts in developing countries, inter alia through
increased use of renewable energy, including biofuels, and enhanced energy
efficiency. Rewards for innovators need to be balanced with common good for
humankind. It is also necessary and important to enhance developing countries'
capacities to deploy mitigation and adaptation technologies.
23. The Ministers also expressed their commitment to the trilateral work in
biofuels and urged the Trilateral Task Team on Biofuels to deepen the
discussions aimed at expanding the co-operation of the partners in this field,
undertaking joint research on development, production of biofuels and engine
redesign so as to enlarge their applications and reduce cost of deployment.
24. The Ministers noted that many needed technologies based on resource
endowments of developing countries (e.g. biomass, biofuels, clean coal) do not
yet exist, or are too expensive. Collaborative research and development
(R&D) between developing and developed country R&D institutions can
address this gap. Financing can be through a venture capital fund, located in
multilateral financial institutions, with the resulting IPRs being held by the
fund, and deployed at concessional cost in developing countries. Additionally,
there could be collaborative R&D projects with sharing of IPRs by the
partner R&D institutions.
25. The Ministers also noted that resources required for adaptation are of
the same order of magnitude as those for GHG mitigation. For this, resources
from the entire carbon market, as is being done on a small scale from the 2%
levy on the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) proceeds should be mobilised.
These resources are separate from the provision of new and additional resources
to tackle the challenges of adapting to the adverse effects of climate change.
The Ministers underlined that diversion of ODA resources from economic growth
and poverty alleviation in developing countries for adaptation is not the
answer as development is a prerequisite for achieving effective adaptation.
Intellectual property
26. The Ministers underscored the importance and welcomed the continued
discussions on the establishment of a "Development Agenda for the World
Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)". The Ministers also emphasised the
need for early conclusion of the discussions and incorporation of development
dimensions in the work programs of WIPO.
27. The Ministers also reaffirmed the need to reach a solution to the
problem arising out of 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. In this regard,
the Ministers highlighted with great appreciation the presentation in the WTO
of the proposal co-sponsored, among others, by the three IBSA countries to
amend the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement by
introducing a mandatory requirement for the disclosure of origin of biological
resources and/or associated traditional knowledge used in inventions for which
applications for intellectual property rights are filed. The Ministers also
reaffirmed their support for the principle of prior informed consent and
equitable benefit sharing.
28. In the context of continued increase in the grant of patents on
bio-resources and traditional knowledge and also registration of trade marks,
the Ministers resolved to further co-operate and intensity their efforts in
resolution of these issues.
29. The Ministers reaffirmed the understanding enshrined in the Doha
Declaration that the TRIPS Agreement does not and should not prevent Members
from taking measures to protect public health and that accordingly each member
has the right to grant compulsory licences and the freedom to determine the
grounds upon which such licences are granted.
Biodiversity issues
30. The Ministers noted with appreciation the decisions of the Eighth
Conference of the Parties (CoP-8) to the Convention on Biological Diversity
(CBD) held in Curitiba, Brazil, in March 2006, to complete negotiations of the
International Regime (IR) on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) by 2010, and to
hold two negotiation meetings of the ABS Working Group prior to CoP-9 to be
held in May 2008.
31. India, Brazil and South Africa, as founding members of the Group of Like
Minded Megadiverse Countries (LMMCs), agreed to strengthen co-operation and
co-ordination in fostering activities related to South-South co-operation, with
emphasis on multilateral negotiations, in particular for ensuring timely, and
successful conclusion of the IR on ABS.
South-South co-Operation
32. The Ministers reaffirmed the role of South-South co-operation as a
continuing process vital to confront the challenges faced by the South, in
particular its role as an important tool crucial for fostering and
strengthening the economic independence of developing countries and achieving
development as one of the means of ensuring the equitable global economic
order.
33. The Ministers recognised that South-South co-operation has created a
stronger collective voice for the countries of the South in the international
arena. South-South co-operation has become an integral part of the relations
among the developing countries and an important means of promoting the exchange
of ideas, experience, knowledge, technical advances, skills and expertise
across a broad range of sectors.
34. In order to expand both the strength and the scope of South-South
co-operation, the Ministers resolved to enhance their policy co-ordination and
high-level dialogue on the common challenges faced by developing countries,
such as MDGs and international development co-operation, financing for
development, market access in the global trading system, fighting environmental
degradation and infectious diseases. The Ministers further agreed to enhance
South-South co-operation in wide ranging fields, inter alia, trade and
investment, S&T, infrastructure, health and education.
35. The Ministers urged the international community to provide financial and
institutional support for South-South co-operation. The Ministers reaffirmed
that South-South co-operation is complementary to and not a substitute for
North-South co-operation.
Sustainable development
36. The Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment on eradication of
poverty through sustainable development. The Ministers highlighted the
importance of implementing the principles adopted in the Rio Declaration and
the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable
Development, particularly the principle of common but differentiated
responsibilities. The Ministers underlined that binding targets for developing
countries were inappropriate. Instead, the focus should be on compliance of
targets accepted by developed countries.
37. The Ministers stressed that capacity building is a key component for
ensuring sustainable development globally. The Ministers highlighted the
importance of new and additional financial resources and effective transfer of
environment-friendly technologies at affordable prices to developing countries
for achieving this goal. In this context, the Ministers noted with concern the
failure of the donor countries to meet their commitments of Official
Development Assistance targets to developing countries, and urged them to
fulfil their commitments.
38. The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of conservation, protection and
sustainable use of genetic resources. They highlighted the need to adopt an
international regime to protect and safeguard the equitable sharing of benefits
arising from the use of genetic resources and traditional knowledge. In this
context, the Ministers urged the international community to make all efforts to
conclude the negotiation process for such an international regime, within the
framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity, by 2010.
39. The Ministers noted the decision of the 11th Session of the Commission
on Sustainable Development regarding the multi-year framework and the fact that
the 2008/09 cycle will deal with the thematic areas of agriculture, rural
development, land, drought and desertification.
40. The Ministers noted the increasingly important work of the International
Seabed Authority as well as the increasing commercial interests in deep seabed
mining and reaffirmed their commitment to the universalisation of the United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Agreement relating to
the implementation of Part XI of the UNCLOS. The Ministers also reaffirmed that
all activities affecting the area should be conducted for the benefit of
mankind as a whole on the basis of relevant principles governing the Area and
marine scientific research.
41. The Ministers noted the discussions on marine genetic resources in areas
beyond national jurisdiction that took place during the meeting of the United
Nations Open-Ended Informal Consultative Process at the United Nations from
25-29 June 2007 and reiterated that the conservation, exploration and
exploitation of marine genetic resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction
should occur within the framework of the UNCLOS.
42. The Ministers reiterated their countries' commitment to achieve
sustainable development, and stressed the importance of international
co-operation in this regard.
Human rights
43. The Ministers noted that India, Brazil and South Africa as members of
the Human Rights Council, share a common vision regarding the promotion and
protection of human rights through dialogue and co-operation. Guided by this
vision, the three countries actively participated in the institution-building
phase of this newly-formed human rights body with a view to making the Council
a strong, effective and efficient body capable of promoting and protecting
human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and introducing a new work
culture of co-operation and mutual understanding in the functioning of the
international human rights machinery. The Ministers remain committed to
continue actively participating in a co-ordinated manner in the work of the
international human rights machinery to pursue the objective of securing
effective enjoyment of human rights by all, including vulnerable groups and the
implementation of the right to development.
Peace and security
Terrorism
44. The Ministers 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-ordinated action by the international community to realise the
objectives of eradicating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
45. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the full implementation of
the measures to combat terrorism outlined in the UN Global Counter-Terrorism
Strategy and the relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly Resolutions.
They recalled that the Outcome Document of 2005 World Summit had called upon
the member states to conclude a Comprehensive Convention on International
Terrorism during the 60th Session of the General Assembly, and stressed the
importance of finalising early the Comprehensive Convention on International
Terrorism and called upon all states to co-operate in resolving the outstanding
issues with the objectives of an expeditious conclusion of negotiations and
adoption of this Convention.
46. The Ministers emphasised that international co-operation in combating
terrorism should be conducted in conformity with the principles of the UN
Charter, international law and relevant international conventions.
Disarmament and non-proliferation
47. The Ministers reiterated their commitment to the goal of complete
elimination of nuclear weapons and expressed concern over the lack of progress
in realisation of that goal. The Ministers 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
systematic and progressive elimination of nuclear weapons in a comprehensive,
universal, non-discriminatory and verifiable manner. The Ministers recalled
that similar approaches have led to the establishment of internationally
legally binding instruments that have banned chemical and biological weapons
and are contributing towards the total elimination of such weapons and
reaffirmed their commitment to make efforts in the relevant multilateral forums
for a universal instrument to ban nuclear weapons and to achieve their complete
elimination. The Ministers 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.
48. In this context, the Ministers also expressed concern over the inability
of the Conference on Disarmament (CD), the world's single multilateral
disarmament negotiating forum, to engage in substantive work. The Ministers
noted that several proposals have been made in the CD with regard to a
programme of work and reiterated their commitment to work constructively to
reach to a consensus taking into account the concerns of all the Member States.
In this context, reiterating that the Five Ambassadors' proposal as revised in
2003 still remained a viable basis for reaching a consensus, the Ministers took
note of the collective efforts made in 2007 by the six Presidents of the
Conference and encouraged them to continue with their intensive consultations
with a view to reaching an agreement on a programme of work to commence
substantive work of the Conference.
49. The Ministers discussed the threat posed by terrorists and other
non-state actors acquiring nuclear weapons or their related materials and
technologies. They reaffirmed their commitment to contribute to multilateral
efforts to counter such threats and promote co-operation in this regard and
welcomed in this regard the adoption of the International Convention for the
Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. The Ministers expressed their
conviction that the best way to prevent non-state actors or terrorists from
acquiring nuclear weapons is the total elimination of such weapons.
50. The Ministers expressed their commitment to the universalisation of the
Convention for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and Biological Weapons
Convention (BWC), as well as to the goal of ensuring their balanced,
transparent and effective implementation.
51. The Ministers recalled the importance of co-operative and effective
international action against the illicit trade in small arms, light weapons and
ammunition. The Ministers underscored the priority to full implementation of
the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the
Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).
Disaster management
52. The Ministers expressed concern over the human suffering and economic
impact caused by the natural disasters throughout the world. The Ministers
emphasised the need for national efforts to be supplemented by enhanced
international and regional co-operation in the sphere of disaster risk
reduction, mitigation and management. In this context, the ministers welcomed
the establishment of the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) in 2005
which has contributed in strengthening the United Nation's capacity to respond
to natural disasters in a predictable and timely manner. The Ministers also
welcomed the convening of the first session of the Global Platform for Disaster
Risk Reduction in Geneva from 5-7 June 2007, which brought together a wide
range of actors associated with different aspects of disaster risk reduction
and contributed in raising awareness on this important issue. The Ministers
agreed to explore the possibilities of enhanced co-operation among the three
countries through exchange of experiences and expertise in the area of disaster
reduction, mitigation and management.
Peaceful uses of nuclear energy
53. The Ministers took note with satisfaction of the positive continuing
co-operation among their countries at the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) and other fora, with a view to ensuring the unimpeded growth and
development of peaceful uses of atomic energy, through the supply of
technology, equipment and material, under appropriate safeguards, and
reaffirmed their will to intensify such co-operation.
54. The Ministers 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.
55. The Ministers emphasised the need to ensure 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, the
Ministers agreed that nuclear energy could play an important role. The
Ministers agreed to explore approaches to co-operation in the peaceful uses of
nuclear energy under appropriate IAEA safeguards. The Ministers further agreed
that international civilian nuclear co-operation, under appropriate IAEA
safeguards, amongst countries committed to nuclear disarmament and
non-proliferation objectives could be enhanced through acceptable
forward-looking approaches, consistent with their respective national and
international obligations.
Regional co-operation
The New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad)
56. The Ministers recognised the new trends in socio-economic development in
Africa and its growing relationship through the Africa Union and with its
partners such as India and Brazil. The Ministers also recognised the efforts
made by the African Union to harmonise the regional economic communities and
the closer harmonisation with the Nepad Programme of the African Union. The
Ministers committed themselves to share their development experience among one
another in support of these broader objectives of the African Union and look
for creating support to regional integration and the development of regional
projects keeping in view their own experience. The Ministers agreed to consider
partnership with the Pan-African Infrastructure Development Programme's
projects.
Union of South American Nations
57. The Ministers welcomed the establishment of the Union of South American
Nations, recognising it as a major achievement in the process of strengthening
the political co-ordination and economic, commercial and infrastructural
integration among South American countries.
Regional issues
The Middle East peace process
58. The complementarities of the Arab Peace Initiative and the Quartet
Roadmap, which essentially focus on the revival of dialogue for a peacefully,
negotiated solution, on the unfinished issues of the Arab-Israeli conflict on
the Palestine, Syrian and Lebanese tracks, including the Final Status Issues,
through active dialogue by the parties directly concerned, need to be
addressed. The Ministers reaffirmed support for the objective of establishing a
sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine, within recognised
and well-defined borders, living side by side at peace with the State of
Israel, through peaceful negotiations. The Ministers supported addressing all
remaining tracks, i.e. the Syrian and the Lebanese tracks, for comprehensive
peace and stability in the region.
Iran
59. The Ministers reaffirmed the inalienable right of all States to the
peaceful application of nuclear energy, consistent with their international
legal obligations. The Ministers called for a diplomatic resolution of the
Iranian nuclear issue within the context of the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA).
Iraq
60. The Ministers emphasised the need for the return of peace and stability
in Iraq which are essential for its development and prosperity. A peaceful,
united and stable Iraq requires a democratic and inclusive polity. The UN
together with the International Community has an important role to play in this
regard. The launch of an International Compact on Iraq and discussions held in
March and May 2007 with the participation of Iraq's neighbors, UN, G8, and P5
countries are noteworthy developments. The Ministers reiterated support to Iraq
for its efforts at reconstruction and development.
Afghanistan
61. The Ministers expressed their strong support for a sovereign, democratic
and prosperous Afghanistan and reaffirmed their commitment for the development
and reconstruction of Afghanistan. The Ministers expressed concern over the
deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and the consequential risk of
undermining the gains made in the recent past. The Ministers agreed that the
resurgence of the Taliban, the growth in cross border terrorism and its links
with international terrorism, underlined the magnitude of challenge the people
of Afghanistan and the international community faced. The Ministers reiterated
that a coherent and a united international effort both in its development and
security aspects remained of paramount importance. The Ministers commended the
Government of Afghanistan led by President Karzai for its efforts to strengthen
and consolidate the democratic process and constitutional institutions of
Afghanistan. The Ministers agreed that advancing regional co-operation was
crucial to Afghanistan's future and in that context hailed the emergence of
Afghanistan as the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation's (SAARC)
eighth member.
Lebanon
62. The Ministers expressed their concern for the continued political
tension in Lebanon and urged Lebanese political groups to commit themselves to
resolve their differences by dialogue and good faith negotiations, preserving
the plural character of the Lebanese society, the sovereignty of the country
and the democratic nature of its institutions. The Ministers supported the Arab
Peace Initiative of 2002-2007 as an important basis to achieve peace and
stability in the region as a whole and in Lebanon in particular. The Ministers
welcomed the recent efforts by the League of Arab States as important steps to
create a suitable environment to re-launch internal political dialogue. The
Ministers expressed their full support to the Lebanese government as the only
legitimate defender of public order in Lebanon, in accordance with UN Security
Council Resolution 1559 and 1701. The Lebanese track should be resolved through
peaceful negotiations, for comprehensive regional peace and stability.
Sudan
63. The Ministers urged and supported the Government of Sudan, and all
parties directly concerned in addressing the internal political and
humanitarian situation, in the province of Darfur in an expeditious manner, to
alleviate civilian suffering and strengthen necessary political and development
structures. The Ministers called on all parties to co-operate in the peace
process to finalise the internal Darfur Dialogue, under the auspices of the
African Union (AU) and the UN.
64. The Ministers noted the development relating to the UN-AU hybrid
operation in Darfur, in accordance to the Addis Ababa Agreement, signed between
UN, AU and the Sudanese government on 12 June 2007 on the deployment of hybrid
forces, which may contribute to the stabilisation of the situation in Darfur
and in its political, humanitarian and security dimensions. The Ministers
considered that any further measures to be taken in connection to the situation
in Darfur should not adversely affect the civilian population, and aggravate
the situation on the ground.
IBSA sectoral co-operation
65. The Ministers reviewed the work of the sectoral working groups and
adopted their reports.
66. The Ministers stressed the need for the Working Groups to meet
regularly, while drawing up their Plans of Action with time-bound
deliverables.
67. The Ministers discussed ways and means of enhancing the visibility of
IBSA and taking it to the peoples of the three countries. This could be done in
various ways and the focal points were instructed to prepare proposals for this
purpose, including appropriate participation by civil society.
Revenue administration
68. The Ministers decided to formalise the establishment of an additional
sectoral working group on Revenue Administration. The Ministers noted the
signing of the Bilateral Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreements on Customs
matters between India and Brazil and the conclusion of the negotiations on the
Bilateral Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreements on Customs matters
between India & South Africa, and South Africa & Brazil. The Ministers
noted that the meeting of the Heads of Revenue Administration would be held in
Brazil prior to the Second IBSA Summit.
Education
69 The Ministers welcomed the holding of an Academic Workshop and Working
Group in Durban, South Africa, during 29 June to 1 July 2007 wherein five areas
of co-operation were identified, viz. engineering, computer science and
mathematics; biotechnology, agriculture and livestock; sustainable development;
social transformation and empowerment; and higher education studies. The
Ministers noted that the IBSA Programme on Higher Education would be signed at
the Second IBSA Summit.
70. The Ministers noted with satisfaction that the heads of the Diplomatic
Academies of three countries would meet in Brazil in September 2007.
Agriculture
71. The Ministers noted that the Joint Working Group on Agriculture has
agreed on developing joint projects and decided to have six sub-groups, viz.,
(a) animal health and animal production, (b) bio-fuels in the context of
agriculture, (c) sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) issues, (d) agro-processing
and agro-business including food park, (e) research and capacity building, and
(f) policy issues including poverty alleviation. Each IBSA country will lead in
two sub-groups. The Ministers urged early identification of joint projects.
72. The Ministers stressed that the modalities of communication through
video-conferencing and Internet etc. may be adopted and used frequently.
Trade and investment
73. The Ministers also welcomed the Seminar on Technical Regulations and
Standards, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi
on 12 July 2007 which was a concrete step to implement the Action Plan on
Technical Regulations, Standards and Conformity Assessment Procedures signed
during the First IBSA Summit.
74. The Ministers welcomed the South African proposal of organising a
Business Meeting during the Second IBSA Summit.
75. The Ministers welcomed the proposal for participation by their business
and industry in one another's principal trade fairs/industry expositions. They
instructed the Working Group on Trade and Investment to device equitable
modalities for such participation, including identification of the
fairs/expositions.
Energy
76. The Ministers reiterated that energy is a strategic area for common
action. They noted that various areas for future co-operation are: bio-fuels,
synthetic/alternate fuels, grid-interactive power, renewable resources like
wind power and solar energy, remote areas electrification, energy efficiency
and conservation. The Ministers stressed the need to identify specific
activities envisaged under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on
establishing a Trilateral Task Team on Bio-fuels and report progress at the
Second IBSA Summit. The Ministers welcomed South Africa's proposal to organise
the Coal to Liquid (CTL) and/or Gas to Liquid (GTL) Seminar on the margins of
the Second IBSA Summit. They also welcomed the commitment to finalise and sign
the MoU on Wind Energy Resource at the Second IBSA Summit.
Transport
77. The Ministers reiterated the need to develop the Transport Action Plan
with clear deliverables and time frames for accelerating implementation of the
transport co-operation to be announced at the Second IBSA Summit.
78. The Ministers urged the early nomination of a representative from each
IBSA country for the Maritime Liaison Committee in implementation of the
Trilateral Agreement on Maritime Transport and other Related Matters signed
during the First IBSA Summit. The Ministers welcomed the identification of
eight broad areas of co-operation under this sector, including training, inland
water transport, maritime regulatory functions, shipbuilding and repair
capacity development, among others. The Ministers noted the need for
co-operation on transport matters among IBSA countries in the WTO negotiation
process.
79. The Ministers noted that improved air connectivity is crucial for
promotion of trade and tourism among the three countries. While noting that the
trilateral MoU was signed on 26 July 2005, which allows the designated airlines
of the three countries to code-share with each other either as operating or
marketing carrier, the Ministers urged expeditious action in this regard.
Culture
80. The Ministers welcomed the initiatives undertaken by the Working Group
on Culture, which is an important sector, to enhance people-to-people
contact.
81. The Ministers appreciated the offer of Brazil to host the First IBSA
Music and Dance Festival in Salvador (Bahia) in October 2007 with the
participation of troupes from India and South Africa. The Ministers also noted
with appreciation the offer of India to invite participation by crafts persons
from Brazil and South Africa in the SurajKund Crafts Fair in early February
2008.
82. The Ministers welcomed the commitment to enhance co-operation by
concluding a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding to be proposed by South
Africa, to identify projects including the timeframes, monitoring and their
evaluation for signing during the Second IBSA Summit.
83. With a view to enhance cultural contacts among the three countries the
Ministers agreed that an IBSA Cultural Event be held at every IBSA Summit.
Health
84. The Ministers urged the need for the Health Ministers to meet as soon as
possible to approve the Plan of Action developed during the last meeting of the
Working Group in Brazil in February 2006.
85. The Ministers welcomed the development of a Trilateral MoU in the field
of Health and Medicine, to be signed during the Second IBSA Summit, which would
be in implementation of the commitment by the Heads of State and Government for
collaboration for research and development of AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis
diagnostic tools, drugs and vaccines during the First IBSA Summit.
Science and technology
86. The Ministers underscored the importance of science and technology
co-operation and expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved. They noted
that concrete joint research projects in agreed areas of common interest would
be undertaken. They further stressed the need for enhancing research and
development collaboration. The Ministers noted the move towards creation of a
seed fund of US$1 million in each country for collaborative activities. They
also noted inclusion of a new area of Antarctic research in science and
technology sector.
Social issues
87. The Ministers 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. The
Ministers noted that a Seminar in this regard will be held in South Africa in
October 2007. They welcomed the commitment of the Working Group to work on a
trilateral Memorandum of Understanding on Social Development, which may be
signed during the forthcoming IBSA Summit.
Public administration
88. The Ministers noted that satisfactory progress has been made in the
sector and that an MoU on co-operation in the field of Public Administration
and Governance has been finalised for signing during the Second IBSA
Summit.
Information society
89. The Ministers agreed that Information Society is one of the dynamic
areas. The Ministers noted the successful launch of IBSA website
(www.ibsa-trilateral.org) during the First IBSA Summit in September 2006 in
Brazil and urged to upgrade the website to make it more user-friendly, in
particular, for the working groups under IBSA. They also noted that the
discussion documents on six identified areas have been exchanged. They urged
that additional ways may be worked out for taking forward the sector by
formulating working models and approaches to be translated into tangible
projects and that the Working Group should meet before the next IBSA
Summit.
90. The Ministers noted that Brazil will host the Second Internet Governance
Forum (IGF), in Rio de Janeiro, from 12-15 November 2007, and expressed their
willingness to engage in a constructive trilateral dialogue with a view of
contributing to the IGF preparatory process.
Tourism
91. The Ministers noted with appreciation the offer of India to host a
Workshop with participation of 30 tour operators each from Brazil and South
Africa.
Defence
92. The Ministers agreed that there was significant potential in the sector
and that the three countries should work together to enhance co-operation.
Intellectual property rights
93 The Ministers agreed for establishing an informal trilateral consultative
mechanism for the exchange of information on IPR issues as agreed during the
First IBSA Summit.
IBSA fund facility for alleviation of poverty and hunger
94. The Ministers took note of the functioning of the IBSA Fund Facility for
Alleviation of Poverty and Hunger and decided that its functioning and
modalities should be comprehensively reviewed and a report submitted within two
months for consideration during the Second IBSA Summit. The review will include
identification of criteria for selection of projects.
95. In this context, the Ministers also noted the proposals received for
assistance from the Fund in respect of capacity building in Timor Leste and the
fight against HIV/AIDS in Burundi. They instructed the focal points to examine
the detailed proposals for these projects and make concrete recommendations.
They agreed in principle that a team from the three countries may visit Burundi
for a preliminary investigation.
96. The Ministers also noted with satisfaction that the IBSA Fund Facility
had been conferred the South-South Partnership Award at the 2006 UN Day event
held in New York on 19 December 2006.
New areas of co-operation
97. The Ministers took note of the proposal to set up two new Working Groups
dealing respectively with climate change and environment, and human settlement
development. They recognised the importance of these sectors and called upon
the focal points to consult and revert with concrete recommendations.
Second IBSA Summit
98. India and Brazil welcomed the offer of South Africa to host the Second
IBSA Summit in October 2007.
99. The Ministers agreed that the Fifth Trilateral Commission Meeting would
be hosted by South Africa on mutually convenient dates in 2008.
100. The Ministers of South Africa and Brazil expressed their deep gratitude
to the Minister of External Affairs of India for convening the Fourth Meeting
of the IBSA Trilateral Commission in New Delhi.
Enquiries contact
Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
17 July 2007
