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1. The Minister of External Affairs of India, H.E. Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, the
Minister of External Relations of Brazil, H.E. Mr. Celso Amorim, and the
Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa, H.E. 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 coordination 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 cooperation 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 emphasized 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 Membership, the Ministers
emphasized 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 Organizational
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 liberalize 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 (Brasília, 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 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 emphasized 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 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
cooperation in fighting climate change, especially in the areas of
adaptation, technology transfer, capacity building and the development of
the carbon market. This cooperation 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. Any new cooperative effort to tackle climate
change should not undermine the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol, but rather
complement these instruments. 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 coordination
regarding cross-cutting issues such as poverty eradication, climate change,
energy security and South-South cooperation.
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 realization of the Biofuels
International Conference to be held in Brazil, in July 2008, to discuss how
to enhance international cooperation 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 cooperation 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 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 CDM proceeds should be mobilized. 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 WIPO”. The
Ministers also emphasized 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 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 cooperation and
coordination in fostering activities related to South-South cooperation,
with emphasis on multilateral negotiations, in particular for ensuring
timely, and successful conclusion of the IR on ABS.
SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION
32. The Ministers reaffirmed the role of South-South cooperation 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 recognized that South-South cooperation has created a
stronger collective voice for the countries of the South in the
international arena. South-South cooperation 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
cooperation, the Ministers resolved to enhance their policy coordination and
high-level dialogue on the common challenges faced by developing countries,
such as MDGs and international development cooperation, financing for
development, market access in the global trading system, fighting
environmental degradation and infectious diseases. The Ministers further
agreed to enhance South-South cooperation 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 cooperation. The Ministers reaffirmed
that South-South cooperation is complementary to and not a substitute for
North-South cooperation.
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 fulfill 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, draught 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 universalization 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
cooperation 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 cooperation. 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 cooperation and mutual understanding in
the functioning of the international human rights machinery. The Ministers
remain committed to continue actively participating in a coordinated 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 emphasized the
need for concerted and coordinated action by the international community to
realize 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 finalizing early the Comprehensive Convention on
International Terrorism and called upon all states to cooperate in resolving
the outstanding issues with the objectives of an expeditious conclusion of
negotiations and adoption of this Convention.
46. The Ministers emphasized that international cooperation 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 realization of that goal. The Ministers emphasized 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 emphasized 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 universalization 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 cooperative 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
emphasized the need for national efforts to be supplemented by enhanced
international and regional cooperation 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 June 5-7, 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 cooperation 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
cooperation among their countries at the 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
cooperation.
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 emphasized 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 cooperation in the peaceful uses
of nuclear energy under appropriate IAEA safeguards. The Ministers further
agreed that international civilian nuclear cooperation, 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 COOPERATION
THE NEW PARTNERSHIP FOR AFRICA'S DEVELOPMENT (NEPAD)
56. The Ministers recognized 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 recognized the efforts
made by the African Union to harmonise the regional economic communities and
the closer harmonization 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, recognizing it as a major achievement in the process of
strengthening the political coordination 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 recognized 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 emphasized 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 cooperation was
crucial to Afghanistan’s future and in that context hailed the emergence of
Afghanistan as SAARC’s 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 cooperate in
the peace process to finalize 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 stabilization 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 COOPERATION
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-1 July 2007 wherein five areas
of cooperation 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) 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 & INVESTMENT
73. The Ministers also welcomed the Seminar on Technical Regulations and
Standards, organized 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 organizing 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 cooperation 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 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 cooperation 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 cooperation under this sector, including training,
inland water transport, maritime regulatory functions, shipbuilding and
repair capacity development, among others. The Ministers noted the need for
cooperation 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 cooperation 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 & Technology
cooperation 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 Cooperation. 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 cooperation in the field of Public Administration
and Governance has been finalized 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 cooperation.
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 COOPERATION
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.
New Delhi
July 17, 2007
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