The 10th IBSA Trilateral Ministerial Commission meeting was held on Wednesday

Describing terrorism as a "global scourge", Members of IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa Dialogue) have agreed to enhance cooperation on security issues, including counter-terrorism and transnational crime.

Meeting in New York, USA on the sidelines of the 77th UN General Assembly (UNGA) session on Wednesday, the 10th IBSA Trilateral Ministerial Commission meeting also expressed support for India's and Brazil's efforts for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

The meeting was chaired by India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Brazil's Foreign Minister Carlos Alberto Franco França and South Africa's Health Minister Joe Phaahla led their respective delegations.

During the meeting, the ministers discussed the full range of IBSA cooperation.

They applauded new initiatives within IBSA, including the first meeting of IBSA National Security Advisors; the beginning of collaboration among Development Cooperation Agencies through the IBSA Working Group on International/Trilateral Development Partnerships; and the first meeting of IBSA Senior Officials on Traditional Medicines, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

Additionally, they also discussed regional topics, including the African Union, the Middle East Peace Process, and the situation in Ukraine.

'TERRORISM IS A GLOBAL SCOURGE'

According to the Joint Communique issued after the meeting, the Ministers deplored the continued terrorist attacks across the world. They condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever.

They concurred that terrorism is a global scourge that must be fought and terrorist safe havens eliminated in every part of the world. They reaffirmed their solidarity and resolved in the fight against terrorism.

They recalled the responsibility of all States to prevent and counter-terrorism, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, the financing of terrorist networks and terrorist actions from their territories, the Joint Communique noted.

UNSC REFORM, PERMANENT MEMBERSHIP FOR INDIA & BRAZIL

Noting that the current composition of the UN Security Council "no longer reflects the realities of the contemporary world", the Ministers endorsed Brazil's and India's claim for permanent seats in the Security Council.

"They supported the legitimate aspiration of African countries to have a permanent presence in the UNSC and supported Brazil’s and India’s endeavour to occupy permanent seats in the Security Council," the Joint Communique said.

The Ministers expressed concern at the slow pace of Inter-Governmental Negotiations on UN Security Council reform, which have not produced tangible progress in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Joint Communique added.

They also referred to India's and Brazil's impending G20 Presidency in 2023 and 2024 respectively, as excellent chances for collaboration, the leadership of the G20 Agenda, and work from a developmental perspective.

During the meeting, the Ministers discussed international issues such as South-South cooperation, UNSC reform, the 2030 Agenda, Sustainable Development Goals, climate change, terrorism, development financing, the World Trade Organization, and the Group of 20.

The Ministers affirmed the strategic significance of IBSA in safeguarding and advancing the interests of the Global South on the global stage, including at the multilateral and plurilateral bodies.

According to the MEA, IBSA exemplifies the spirit of South-South cooperation. The ministry added that the IBSA Fund is a unique aspect of IBSA cooperation. Since its founding, it has granted more than $44 million USD to assist 39 South-South cooperation development projects in 35 partner countries, with the majority being Least Developed Countries.

India, the current IBSA Chair, will host the sixth IBSA Summit November 2022, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. Brazil will host the IBSA Foreign Ministers' meeting.