11 May 2008
Opening remarks by Minister Dlamini Zuma
Minister Pranab Mukherjee
Minister Celso Amorim
Distinguished IBSA Focal Points
Ambassadors and High Commissioners
Members of delegation
Business representatives
Representatives of women’s forum
Colleagues
Ladies and gentlemen
Members of the media
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you on behalf of the government and people of South Africa to the 5th ministerial meeting of the India – Brazil – South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue. Yesterday we also had the pleasure to welcome the leaders and officers of the joint naval exercises which was indeed very exciting and historical.
Since the formation of IBSA in 2003, it is clear that IBSA has gathered unprecedented momentum and the dialogue is beginning to be noticed and to play a role in international affairs. Our strategic alliance in pursuit of the common interest of developing countries has been noted and offers a unique opportunity not only for trilateral but for global and international co-operation.
Today we are gathered here at Somerset West to take stock and to reflect on progress and challenges since the New Delhi Ministerial meeting and also since the second summit that took place in Tshwane, South Africa last year. And off course, we will also prepare for the forthcoming third summit that will take place in India in October this year. It is imperative to all of us that the implementation of joint initiatives and agreements take place with the necessary urgency and that we deliver on what the three heads of government have urged us to do before the next summit.
As we have witnessed, IBSA has developed to the stage where the dialogue functions at three distinct levels of interaction co-ordination of joint positions on important global political issues, on sectoral co-operation on a government to government level and also people to people co-operation on a non-governmental level. Good progress has been made on widening co-operation within IBSA as we see the people to people with the woman’s forum and the business forum but we still need to ensure that we not only broaden but deepen the co-operation sufficiently. We need to apply our minds creatively on how we can better streamline our sectoral co-operation through improvement of co-ordination, a clear division of leadership roles per sector, less bureaucracy, and more action and tangible programmes.
We also need to revisit our commitments in certain co-operation areas in order to ensure that the excellent potential that IBSA has to be a catalyst for economic growth, knowledge exchange, and shared prosperity is not lost. And we do hope that eventually we will have the training arrangements in place but we all know that the final product will have to be agreements, despite what we may now refer to them.
I am very pleased that once again we bear witness to the realisation of our call that IBSA be a forum that is driven by the people, for the people. In this regard, we have noted with satisfaction the participation of the women and the business forum on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting and on the sidelines of the 10 IBSA sectoral working groups that have successfully met from the 6 to 10 May 2008. These working groups have deliberated on their joint working plans and challenges and the ways forward to unlock possible obstacles. They will all be presenting their joint reports and action plans and timeframes. This is what our leaders called for in the second summit that South Africa has the pleasure to host last year and if we agree we may want to publish some of those action plans and timeframes to make them an incentive for achievement.
During the course of our session today we will listen to progress reports from the representatives of the IBSA business council and the Women’s Forum as well as to receive feedback in terms of the sectoral co-operation. This deepening of our trilateral co-operation to become more concrete and invincible as demonstrated by the first IBSA Joint Naval Exercise which is taking place of the Western Cape coast since the 5th May 2008 and will continue until the 16th. Yesterday, we were hosted to a cocktail reception on one of the naval vessels that forms part of the exercise.
Ladies and gentlemen and Ministers, the global community is increasingly following developments within the trilateral forum and the potential to influence the global discourse on important developmental issues as well as to export the values of the South to the rest of the world should be maximised. The outcome of this 5th IBSA ministerial meeting and the negotiations we have been engaged in especially with regard to the conclusion of the joint communiqué should lay a strong basis for the next summit in New Delhi. The communiqué should further amplify the voice of the South on those issues of importance to developing countries such as the reform of global governance institutions to create a more equitable world order, the achievements of the millennium development goals and our strong support for those joint poverty relief projects to which we have jointly committed ourselves to.
And of course, we cannot not talk about food security, energy security, climate change, and sustainable development. And through the mechanisms like the IBSA Finance Facility Fund for the Alleviation of Poverty and Hunger, South Africa believes that this programme has the capacity to make a noticeable difference in the countries that we have identified. Our objectives and commitments remain to end to the marginalisation of the countries of the South and for them to utilise the advantages of globalisation. So we welcome the progress that has been made in terms of the existing projects in Haiti and Guinea-Bissau. But we urge our institutional machinery to move faster with the implementation of other projects and not allow a situation where funds are blocked in New York to bureaucracy and the lack of urgency to ensure that funds achieve what they are meant to achieve.
In this regard, we look forward to the recommendations of the focal points on the way forward.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasise that it is incumbent upon us to ensure that the decisions we take in terms of ministerial meetings and summits find practical implementation in our trilateral, regional and global interaction. IBSA has the capacity to impact on the global arena. It is our duty to ensure it does.
I wish all of you fruitful discussions and a fruitful stay in South Africa.
Remarks by Minister Pranab Mukherjee
Thank you Madame Dlamini Zuma.
I am delighted to attend this important meeting of Foreign Ministers of the IBSA Forum. May I take this opportunity to thank once again our gracious host Minister Dlamini Zuma for the warm welcome we have received and the wonderful arrangements that have been made for us. We are meeting in this moment, less than one year after we met in New Delhi. Since the New Delhi meeting we have had a very successful Summit in Tshwane last October. It was then agreed that the next meeting would be held in New Delhi in October this year. I want to take this opportunity to thank the focal points and working groups for their preparation of our meeting. I am happy that they have reached agreement that is forward looking and action orientated. The time has come for us in IBSA to transform Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs) and agreements into real activities and joint projects on the ground.
I am also happy that the civil society segment of IBSA is growing. This will provide the critical inputs for the IBSA summit to be held in New Delhi (inaudible) several important MoUs and other documents are to be adopted at the summit. This broadening and deepening of our co-operative activities is important. What is equally encouraging is the (inaudible) in different sectors of our countries to develop IBSA profiles. We encourage this trend. At the same time we must take a close look at the areas of co-operation that have already been decided upon but inadequate progress has taken place. We need to uplift and improve the areas of co-operation amongst ourselves.
The success of IBSA requires a substantive economic undertaking. Our leaders have put down the target of up to US$ 10 million by 2010. I am encouraged by the fact that at the end of 2007 we had exceeded a combined turnover of US$ 10 million. If you are able to resolve connectivity problems in a timely manner and bring about greater interaction among the business communities it should be able to achieve the set target. I am also encouraged by the fact that investment is growing amongst us. This tendency needs to be encouraged. Economic growth cannot happen in isolation. It is essential for us in democratic societies to ensure that all sections of society derive benefits from such growth and participate in the growth process.
The three countries are focused on ensuring inclusive growth. We have already benefited from sharing experiences and programmes in this regard. Our three countries are in the process of developing a Social Development Strategy for IBSA. We must expedite work on this while continuing to strengthen the process of learning from each other’s experiences.
IBSA is not only a unique forum but also brings with it attendant appendages. It enables us to co-ordinate on crucial issues of direct concern to us. It (inaudible) to share the benefits of South-South co-operation, not only amongst ourselves but also with other developing countries. Most importantly it allows us to develop our trilateral partnership across the board. It is for this reason that we attach great importance to this forum and to its successful development and strengthening.
Excellency, before I conclude, I would like to say how much we feel at home here, just as we feel at home in Brazil.
I thank you.
Remarks by Minister Celso Amorim
I would like to convey my best wishes to all here today. Everybody has really become like family. There are those we meet quite often.
I would very much like to make two or three references and observations: the first of which is that in much the same way as the ministers have already said, I would like to say how encouraged we feel by being here in South Africa. I cannot count how many times I have been in this beautiful country that has so much in common with Brazil. I have always been very well received and have always felt very much at ease. Not only myself, but I am also certain that President Lula will feel very much at ease in India.
Minister Dlamini Zuma I would like to comment, the idea of a strategic alliance, I really think this does exist between India, South Africa and Brazil. It is a real strategic alliance and with this peculiarity, which is different from traditional alliances because this is not an alliance against anyone. It is an alliance in favour of our people. I would also like to say it is in favour of humanity, in favour of a multipolar world that would be more socially just, where democracy would prevail, not just a political democracy but also a social and cultural democracy where all would feel integrated. This strategic alliance is so strong and promises so much that in reality it almost awakes jealousy and we should not worry about this. We should not be friends with others because of our special and privileged relationship amongst ourselves.
I also would like to take advantage of the words you have uttered Minister to talk about the visibility of IBSA because I am very sorry that I personally could not be present during the naval exercises but I think that initiatives of this kind are very important. It is very good that not only our people and the world see how we are co-operating together. This visibility and, I have already said this in previous meetings, must be reinforced not only through joint initiatives but also through individual initiatives by each of our countries which would allow a better knowledge of what IBSA is doing, what it promises and what it has as an identity.
I remember a commentary that was once made about the United States (US) that said that the true nature of the US was not about race, language, a culture in particular. It was in some ways an ideology in the best sense of the word. Ideology has become very weak and is badly utilised but ideology of the US was liberty, freedom and that would identify the US as a nation. I feel that in IBSA, and I can’t judge in terms of this definition, but I feel that in some sense we have a similar reality, we are not identified by a language, a culture, a single race, but we are defined perhaps by an ideology and an ideology in the best sense of the world – an ideology of democracy, diversity, tolerance, a search for co-operation. This IBSA forum is a unique forum and we must preserve this forum with this very special characteristic.
It is not often that you can find three different countries, from three different continents, that speak three different languages, with different cultural backgrounds that can really meet together and understand each other. I do think this is very special and as someone has said, that it is a very tender plant that needs to be watered everyday. It is here that I wish to maintain the frequency of our meetings at ministerial and senior officials levels.
Congratulations for the publicity South Africa has been able to give to this meeting.
Brazil, India and South Africa have been identified as countries that can play a constructive role in bringing their joint political weight to different areas and lending legitimacy to different initiatives. A clear indication of this was the invitation to our three countries to attend the Anapolis Conference hosted by the US in November last year. Our countries have no involvement in that conflict and our presence in the region have thus far been limited yet the general perception was that our countries could constitute a helpful force by introducing new ideas and attitudes based on diversity and tolerance. It is on the basis of this that we decided to contribute US$ 1 million over the next three years from the IBSA Fund.
In recent years we have witnessed the growing importance and active participate on developing countries in world politics. This is happening for, among reasons that we have been able to relate to each other directly and are no longer subjected to the intimidation of richer, more powerful nations. Since 2003 IBSA has overcome the scepticism of those whose behaviour is inspired by false pragmatism based on a spirit of conformity and submission. The false pragmatism of those who believe that the alignment would produce new centres of power is (inaudible). Our pragmatism is of a different nature based on the relationship that the strong political will (inaudible) can change the course of things. Institutional global governance has yet to mirror these changes as is the case with the UN Security Council. I am certain that in this, as in other instances, IBSA will be able to contribute to a more favourable multipolar world.
IBSA has been working closely together to ensure a speedy outcome of the Doha Development Round. We are in the middle of a crisis provoked by financial mismanagement and food shortages. Both have originated from practices of the rich nations. Now, more than ever rich countries are under increasing obligation to remove their agricultural subsidies. Over the past five years IBSA has not been short of innovative and daring ideas reflecting the dynamism of our societies. We should continue to work towards establishing a free trade agreement between Mercosaur, Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and India which takes into account different needs and symmetries.
I thank you.
Closing remarks by Ministers Dlamini Zuma, Pranab Mukherjee and Celso Amorim
Remarks by Minister Celso Amorim
Minister Dlamini Zuma, Minister Pranab Mukherjee, the environment of our meeting has been so fraternal; it has been so friendly that in truth it is really difficult to conclude. What we can really say is that everything that has happened during the work that has been done today confirms the vision of a real strategic alliance, an alliance that has endeavoured for the progress of our people, the feeling that we really need to reaffirm our relationships, deepen our relationships with civil society, that the interventions that were done here particularly in the women, business and trade fora do confirm the interest that we would like to see reflected in all sectors of society.
I think that part of our task here is particularly to try and disseminate IBSA because it really has the capacity to reach many sectors of society, certainly in our Brazilian society many do not know what IBSA is about and what its potential is and I would like to say once more how happy we are with this meeting because once more we have tried to develop visibility of IBSA, we have had a cultural festival, it was a very important one in the North East of Brazil.
Until New Delhi.
Remarks by Minister Pranab Mukherjee
Foreign Minister Dr Dlamini Zuma, Minister Amorim and all members of the delegation,
We have come to the end of our ministerial dialogue on the entire spectrum of relations. This has been an extremely successful process which has enabled us to review our activities and lay the foundation for the expansion of our future.
I am happy that this has been done, as in the past, in a very cordial atmosphere. Thank you Dr Dlamini Zuma for conducting this meeting with utmost professionalism and competence. The ministerial communiqué that is being issued reflects the substance of our agreement on international and regional political issues but also on important international economic issues. More importantly, it replaced the promises we have made in a number of vital sectors as part of our trilateral co-operation. Finally, it also outlined the road ahead of us in other sectors as we collectively prepare for our next summit in New Delhi.
As I see it, IBSA has completed an important section of its journey in the past five years; we have been able to move working together hand in hand to a stage where the concept has begun taking concrete and tangible form. I think we all like what we see today. At the same time, we are fully conscious that we have a great deal of work to do before this journey can be considered to have reached its desired destination. This journey is naturally important for India, Brazil and South Africa. It should be of equal significance and relevance for the development as we establish IBSA as a kind of model for co-operation among the countries of the South. To repeat the words of my colleague Minister Amorim, IBSA has just become increasingly visible on the international horizon.
It is gratifying to note that all officials are preparing intensely for the next summit and have begun to look at the post New Delhi summit scenario we would need to focus on IBSA beyond 2008.
I should end by pointing out that our three governments have invested a considerable amount of political will in realising the objectives of IBSA. IBSA is work in progress. We are confident that by continuing to consolidate and intensify our dialogue and co-operation we would scale new heights in the months and years to come.
On behalf of my delegation and on my own behalf I would once again like to express my warm thanks and appreciation to our South African hosts and to you particularly Minister Dlamini Zuma. I am looking forward to welcoming you all in New Delhi very soon.
I thank you.
Remarks by Minister Dlamini Zuma
Thank you very much.
As my two colleagues have said, this meeting, as have others, have taken place in a very cordial and friendly environment. It makes it much easier to reach agreements in that way. I would agree with all they have said and perhaps to add that in the past few days, including what is going on with the navy, has given us sufficient wherewithal for the forthcoming third IBSA summit in New Delhi and as preparations gather momentum I am confident that we have emerged strengthened by the ideas and deliberations. This strength, I believe, will carry us forward as we ensure that the steps we have identified firmly address the challenges we have demonstrated and off course, we are looking forward to New Delhi but as the Minister himself has said we have already begun to look beyond New Delhi and therefore, we have our work cut out for us. We have enough work to do. The important thing now is that what we have agreed is now done.
I would like to thank all of you who have travelled across the two oceans to be here today.
Questions and answers
Question: Ministers, on the question of the IBSA Facility Fund, you have identified vulnerable countries, with the food crisis being as it is, do you see any role that the Fund can play?
Answer (Minister Dlamini Zuma): Well, on the question of the facility, as you know, it is a facility that is looking at having projects in certain countries we have identified and we work together with the United Nations Development Plans (UNDP). Right now we do not have an aspect of that facility being an emergency relief facility but I am quite sure that our three countries do have emergency humanitarian facilities that we use. I am sure that in time that aspect of emergency relief will be considered. We have not discussed this.
(Minister Mukherjee): I would just like to add to what my distinguished colleague Minister Dlamini Zuma has said: this fund is for developmental projects. This food crisis that has emerged must be addressed internationally and I do feel it falls outside the constraints of the IBSA Trust Fund which is meant for developing projects in developing countries. As Minister Dlamini Zuma has pointed out we all have arrangements to help our neighbours in terms of emergency relief as we are now helping with Myanmar. We would respond appropriately where necessary.
(Minister Amorim): The two countries that have thus far received assistance from the IBSA Fund are surely amongst the poorest in the world. I would also like to add that in relation to the food crisis, those who suffer the most are the poorest because of the lack of income. In Guinea-Bissau we have a project linked to agriculture, in Haiti a project that provides income for the poorest sector of society. All of this has an impact. Please look also at paragraph 33 of the communiqué. I would also like to say, because I am also in charge of trade and trade negotiations, the three countries here are amongst the leaders of the G-20, the most significant impact on the food crisis would be the removal of off subsidies because this is what prevents developing countries from producing their own food.
I have just returned from Sao Tome and Principe where I was told that rice had not been their staple food but because they received handouts from countries, they changed it to rice and now they cannot pay for the rice that they once used to receive for free. The most important contribution to the food crisis would be the removal of agricultural subsidies which can be achieved through the Doha Developmental Round.
Question: Minister, regarding Zimbabwe, there are concerns that people may not be able to vote in the run-off elections. Is there anything IBSA can contribute to this situation?
Answer (Minister Dlamini Zuma): Clearly, although we did not discuss the specifics, none of us would approve of violence during the elections. We would all like to see peaceful elections. As you know, there is a team that the facilitator did send to Zimbabwe to assist in trying to ensure the elections are peaceful and in fact, in will do no one any good, if there is violence during the elections.
Question: (inaudible)
Answer (Minister Dlamini Zuma): Maybe as you can imagine we would not have discussed the changes in the ANC as such but we did discuss that there will be a new President in South Africa and that the work of IBSA would continue and if we also look at the policies that emerged from Polokwane, there are no major deviations from the policies this government has pursued. There are no contradictions with what we are doing. Governments come and go, Presidents come and go, but the countries remain, the ANC President himself has indicated there will be no changes. We are continuing. There will be a summit in India this year and we are planning a summit in Brazil next year. So there are no deviations in what we are doing.
Question: Ministers, the joint naval exercises, why did you conduct such exercises? Is there a possibility of some treaty?
Answer (Minister Mukherjee): These types of joint exercises are not aimed at entering into some kind of military agreement. We are having these joint exercises and they were synchronised with the ministerial meeting. As far as India is concerned we have such exercises with many countries with a view to establishing defence and security co-operation. It is for purposes of education and training.
(Minister Dlamini Zuma): As Minister Amorim commented in his opening remarks, he said this is a very unique alliance and not an alliance against anyone. It is an alliance for democracy, economic development, and all the values we hold so dearly amongst the developing countries. But it is important to have these naval exercises. Clearly there is a lot that the three navies have learnt from one another. They learn some of the strengths of each other so that they can strengthen themselves. They have said regarding 2010 we have a lot to learn because during this time we have to ensure our countries are safe. It was a good exercise. It was one of the biggest naval exercises since we received our new submarines. There is no way that we are planning to have a military alliance with NATO. We are not against anyone. We are for ourselves.
(Minister Amorim): I agree with everything that has been said. Part of it is also the visibility of IBSA for the public. I don’t think that a group of sociologists meeting in a room causes such attention, but a group of boats assembling with their flags causes attention. It is also about the confidence we have in each other. We have co-operation in science and technology but this is also liked to the defence co-operation in particular areas. This therefore enhances relations. But finally, we all have a common interest in keeping our maritime roots safe, secure and peaceful.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
11 May 2008
