BRICS or comprehensive reform of UN

BRICS nations today reaffirmed the need for a comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council, to make it more effective and efficient and to increase the representation of the developing countries so that it can adequately respond to global challenges.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is on a five-day trip to South Africa, attended the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Foreign Ministers' meeting.

After the meeting the foreign affairs ministers of these nations recalled the 2005 World Summit Outcome document and reaffirmed the need for a comprehensive reform of the UN.

China and Russia reiterated the importance they attach to the status and role of Brazil, India and South Africa in international affairs and support their aspiration to play a greater role in the UN, a media statement released after the meeting said.

The Ministers underscored the importance of sustained efforts aimed at making the UN more effective and efficient in implementing the mandates conferred upon it.

They committed to intensifying dialogue amongst the BRICS countries on the administration and budget of the UN, with a view to strengthening the organisation and preserving its Member State-driven character, the statement said.

The ministers expressed their support for continued cooperation of BRICS members in areas of mutual interest including through regular exchanges amongst their multilateral missions.

They also reconfirmed the commitment to fully implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to equitable, inclusive, open, all-round innovation-driven and sustainable development, in its three dimensions economic, social and environmental in a balanced and integrated manner.

They pledged their support for the important role of the United Nations, including the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), in coordinating and reviewing global implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and support the need to reform the UN Development System with a view to enhancing its capability in supporting member States in implementing the 2030 Agenda.

They urged developed countries to honour their Official Development Assistance commitments in time and in full and provide more development resources to developing countries. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to tackling climate change.

They welcomed the entry into force of the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which reflects the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

They drew attention to the importance of strengthening cooperation to face the challenges brought by climate change, which requires financial flows and technology transfer. They therefore urged developed countries to fulfil their commitments in this regard, the statement said.