IBSA calls for urgent UN reforms, stronger South-South cooperation at New York meet
New York, September 27. India, Brazil, and South Africa (IBSA) renewed their call for sweeping reforms in global governance, food security, and climate action at the 13th IBSA Trilateral Ministerial Commission Meeting, held on Sepetmeber 26 on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, and South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, co-chaired the meeting. In a media statement issued following the meeting, the three leaders reaffirmed IBSA’s role as a voice of the Global South, stressing the need to address persistent inequalities in international institutions and ensure a more inclusive world order.
UN reforms and global governance
The ministers voiced strong frustration with the lack of progress on UN Security Council (UNSC) reform, calling for text-based negotiations to begin during the current General Assembly session. They demanded urgent expansion of both permanent and non-permanent seats, with greater representation for developing countries from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Backed by a majority of UN members, India and Brazil reiterated their aspiration for permanent UNSC seats, while the bloc collectively supported Africa’s demand for permanent representation. They also underlined the need to strengthen the role of the General Assembly to prevent inaction by the Security Council from paralysing the UN.
Marking the UN’s 80th anniversary, the ministers urged a comprehensive reform of the organisation to reflect current geopolitical realities and better address emerging challenges such as climate change, digitalisation, and inequality.
Poverty alleviation and food security
Food and nutrition security remained a key focus, with the three nations highlighting the achievements of the IBSA Fund for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation, which has supported 51 projects across 40 countries. They pledged to expand the Fund and align it more closely with the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, launched at the 2024 G20 Summit in Rio.
The ministers also noted South Africa’s G20 initiative on wealth inequality and called for coordinated South-South solutions to eradicate hunger and reduce disparities.
Peace, security, and humanitarian concerns
The ministers condemned persistent attacks on multilateralism, unlawful coercive measures, and violations of international law. Stressing diplomacy and dialogue, they emphasised the importance of mediation and conflict prevention.
They expressed grave concern over ongoing humanitarian crises, including in Ukraine and Gaza. On Ukraine, they urged de-escalation and welcomed Global South mediation initiatives such as the African Peace Initiative. On Gaza, they condemned Israeli attacks and demanded an immediate ceasefire, withdrawal of troops, and humanitarian access. They reaffirmed support for a two-state solution with East Jerusalem as Palestine’s capital.
The bloc also strongly condemned terrorism, including the recent Pahalgam attack in India, and called for finalising the long-pending UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. They urged zero tolerance for terrorism, concerted action against listed terror groups, and cooperation against the misuse of digital platforms for extremist propaganda.
Climate change and sustainable development
Climate change featured prominently, with IBSA reiterating commitment to the Paris Agreement and calling on developed nations to honour financing pledges. They opposed unilateral measures such as carbon border adjustments, warning they would undermine global cooperation and hurt developing economies.
The ministers welcomed Brazil’s hosting of COP30 in 2025 and India’s candidacy to host COP33 in 2028. They endorsed the proposed Tropical Forest Forever Facility and stressed financing for forest conservation, biodiversity, and disaster resilience.
India’s ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ (LiFE) initiative and the International Big Cats Alliance received IBSA’s endorsement as models for sustainable living and biodiversity protection.
Economic architecture and trade
On global economic governance, the ministers demanded reforms in international financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank to give developing countries a stronger voice. They called for simplified access to finance, fewer conditionalities, and a renewed focus on development, poverty alleviation, and hunger eradication.
They criticised the failure to restore a fully functioning WTO dispute settlement system and urged reforms to preserve a transparent, rules-based trading system. Protectionist and unilateral trade measures by developed countries, particularly under the pretext of environmental protection, were singled out as harmful to food security and global trade stability.
Energy and critical minerals
The ministers emphasised just and inclusive energy transitions, recognising diverse energy sources – from renewables to nuclear and biofuels – as vital for resilience and sustainability. They endorsed initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuels Alliance to advance clean energy goals.
Highlighting the strategic importance of critical minerals for green transitions, they called for fair, diversified, and resilient supply chains that respect resource-rich countries’ sovereignty and promote equitable value-sharing.
Health, science, and digital cooperation
Global health resilience was identified as a foreign policy priority. The ministers committed to expanding cooperation on vaccines, diagnostics, and local production of health technologies, while tackling social determinants of health.
On digital governance, IBSA reaffirmed support for a safe and inclusive cyberspace. They welcomed the UN cybercrime convention, called for equitable access to AI governance, and committed to bridging digital divides through Digital Public Infrastructure. They also stressed the need for transparency and accountability of digital platforms in countering misinformation.
Science, technology, and innovation (STI) were highlighted as tools for development, with ministers pledging joint research, technology transfer, and cross-incubation initiatives to foster innovation across the three regions.
The ministers agreed to support holding an IBSA Leaders’ Summit and thanked Brazil for hosting the 13th Ministerial Commission Meeting. With India, Brazil, and South Africa consecutively holding the G20 presidency between 2023 and 2025, the bloc said the sequence provided a unique opportunity to amplify the Global South’s voice in shaping the international agenda.
