Slow progress of the United Nations Security Council’s reform has been a cause of concern among several countries across the world

India, Brazil and South Africa have called upon international community members to redouble their efforts for accelerated and comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council.

They have also appealed to them for their renewed commitment towards expansion of Security Council membership by including representation from emerging and developing countries, in both the permanent and non-permanent categories.

There is need for “the international community to redouble efforts and bolster commitment to achieve tangible progress for accelerated and comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council,” foreign ministers of IBSA said in a joint statement released on Wednesday.

They further asked for their “renewed commitment towards expansion of Security Council membership by including representation from emerging and developing countries, in both the permanent and non-permanent categories, for achieving a representative, inclusive, equitable, responsive and effective UN Security Council.”

Taking about the joint statement issued by all three members of IBSA, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted, “Issued a Joint Statement on reform of the UNSC. Expressed our collective frustration with the slow progress of reforms in the Intergovernmental Negotiations. Time has come for substantive negotiations in a formal setting on a single comprehensive text.”


During their virtual meeting on Wednesday, IBSA foreign ministers also exchanged their views on furthering IBSA cooperation and on various issues of global significance including peace, security, countering terrorism, climate change, sustainable development, multilateral trading system, disarmament, non-proliferation issues and South-South Cooperation.

IBSA foreign ministers also reviewed the group’s activities and agreed to fund projects for food security. Discussions were also held on trilateral agriculture cooperation, traditional medicine, ICT cooperation and next IBSAMAR naval exercise. They also shared their experience on COVID-19 pandemic situation and appreciated the work done by the IBSA Fund for Alleviation of Poverty and Hunger.

At the meet, while India was led by External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, Brazil was represented by Secretary (Vice-Minister) for National Sovereignty and Citizenship, Ambassador Fabio Marzano and South Africa was led by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor

These three ministers further agreed to enhance IBSA cooperation at multilateral fora and to organise IBSA events in their three countries. South Africa and Brazil appreciated India’s efforts in keeping up the momentum of IBSA cooperation.