Tag: UNSC

Rio 2025 BRICS Paves Way for Global South Leadership

Posted on By Musanjufu Benjamin Kavubu

Dear Editor, in July, Brazil hosted the 17th BRICS summit on the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”, and if by any chance you followed main stream media especially from Western outlets the emphasis was put on the absence of the Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. The West pushed this narrative to water down the 17 years of this summit. The BRICS is a group formed by eleven countries: Brasil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran. It serves as a political and diplomatic coordination forum for countries from the Global South and for coordination in the most diverse areas.

After the summit ended the former President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev said “BRICS is gaining authority. Trump announced that an additional 10% tariff would be imposed on any country that supports BRICS policy. So, we’re doing everything right!”. There was a myriad of development in Rio de Janeiro that are very important to the development of the global South and many based on the South-South framework. For starters on top of the already 11 member states at the moment going by the Kazan declaration  the Republic of Belarus, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Cuba, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Malaysia, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Republic of Uganda, and the Republic of Uzbekistan attended as BRICS partner countries. Which is a stage to attaining membership status.

Uganda’s delegation was led by the Vice President H.E Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Rose Epel Alupo. The only lady to lead a delegation to the summit from a sovereign country in attendance.

Since BRICS prides itself in political and diplomatic coordination, western media didn’t report about the strongest of emphasis put on multilateral reforms especially with actions that amplify the theme of the summit, for example when it comes to making sure Africa, the Caribbean and South America take a more central role in organizations like the World Bank, the World Trade organization (WTO) and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The BRICS recognize the legitimate aspirations of African countries, as reflected in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration that advocate for Africa to have two Permanent seats and 3 non permanent seats at the UNSC, they also stressed that the UNSC reforms are to lead to the amplified voice of the Global South. Recalling the 2022 Beijing and 2023 Johannesburg-II Leaders’ Declarations, China and Russia, as permanent members of the UNSC, reiterated their support to the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the UN, including its Security Council.

On the issue of poverty and inequality the BRICS put forward the reform of the world Bank and the IMF so that the Bretton Woods system can address the most critical issues of the global South in a just and with more meaningful representation. The BRICS expressed support for the 2025 World Bank shareholding review that is co-chaired by Brazil that is aimed at enhancing legitimacy of the world bank group so that it’s in a better place to really take on modern challenges like creating jobs for a youthful population and dealing with the climate crisis.

Reforming the WTO was very central to the proceeding especially at a time when commercial diplomacy through Tarrif hikes and other trade restrictions is taking place. BRICS is also advocating for the admission of Iran and Ethiopian into WTO. BRICS are also not going to support sanctions that violate international law, a huge push back to the West’s misuse of the concept.

The BRICS forum reappointed Dilma Rousseff to the presidency of New Development Bank (NDB) an institution that is continuing to grow especially with the capacity to raise money that is used to facilitate projects in the global South. To ensure financial independence and resilience a number of measures amongst BRICS members and partners were put in place for example the BRICS New Investment Platform, the BRICS Interbank Cooperation Mechanism, the Rapid Information Security Channel, and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement that is specifically for use of local currencies while sidelining the US dollar. The measures also facilitate Cross border payments, encourage funding of projects through fast and cheap payments.

Later this year Brazil will host COP30, and climate was very key to issues discussed at the 17th BRICS summit, the forum agreed to approach the climate change issue through multilateralism for example by upholding the Paris agreement and putting in place a BRICS climate leadership agenda dedicated to the climate crisis the world faces. It was agreed that each country should play it’s part and honor it’s commitment to climate financing and that there should be local solutions that don’t encourage protectionism in the pretext to combating climate change.

Peace and security was also top of the agenda, for starters there was concern for ongoing conflict around the world, and discouragement for increased military spending that is becoming the trend world over.  The BRICS jointly condemned the USA’s military actions on Iran that were against the UN Charter. On the Ukraine situation there was acknowledgement of the different national positions and a peaceful way forward was advocated for, and appreciation of mediation efforts like the Africa initiative.

On the Israel-Palestine question the BRICS strongly condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza for example the blocking of entry of humanitarian aid and called for an unconditional Ceasefire and the release of hostage on both sides and expressed support for a two state solution.

BRICS was very conscious on human rights, women’s empowerment, the summit committed to advanced collaborative endeavors like the BRICS Network of Universities. Encouraged celebration of cultural heritage and the return of cultural items taken from the global South. There was a very intentional pronouncement on the question of AI and technological advancements.

BRICS is growing, evolving and expanding as it proves its ready to take part in shaping a multipolar world that is inclusive and beneficial for especially the global South.

The writer is a research fellow at the Development Watch Centre.

China’s Global Security Initiative is Good for Global Security

Posted on By Allawi Ssemanda

Explaining that “Security is a major issue bearing on the world’s future and survival of humanity,” China’s foreign minister H.E. Qin Gang told global leaders during the Opening Ceremony of the Lanting Forum on the Global Security Initiative that; “the world today is not a tranquil place: changes unseen in a century are fast evolving, major-country competition is intensifying, geopolitical conflicts are escalating, the global security governance system is woefully lagging behind, and traditional and non-traditional security threats keep flaring up.”  Qin stressed that the challenges the world is facing today are serious that “all countries are confronted by multiple risks and challenges rarely seen in history, and human society faces multiple security dilemmas like never before.”

To address these challenges, Qin explained China’s proposal dubbed Global Security Initiative (GSI) which seeks to address global security challenges. GSI which has as of now received support from over 80 countries and regional organisation was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Boao Forum for Asia’s annual conference in April 2022. Qin contends that GSI “upholds the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, pursues the long-term objective of building a security community, and advocates a new path to security featuring dialogue over confrontation, partnership over alliance and win-win over zero-sum.”

In the released concept paper explaining the GSI, Foreign Minister Qin points out China’s proposed 20 priorities of cooperation, all highly action-oriented, Beijing believes will help in addressing security challenges the world is facing stressing that “the GSI embodies the core tenets in the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind.”

If critically analysed, China’s proposal is the most ideal and practical one the world can get to address global security challenges and concerns. For example, GSI emphasises that; all countries uphold UN’s central role in ensuring global security governance by supporting the body’s efforts in prevention of wars and conflicts; calls for coordination among all major powers where all countries respect each other instead of bullying, Hegemonic and domineering practices.

Thirdly, GSI calls for peaceful settlement of issues through dialogue and consultations as a best approach in addressing hotspot issues. One can argue that other than dialogue, the other options are result into confrontation which comes with heavy costs and avoidable sufferings. In GSI, China also proposed strengthening of systems and capacity for global security governance where international organisations and non-governmental organisations would participate in in efforts meant to address global security and concerns.

Remarking that “Security is a right for all countries. It is not a prerogative of some, still less should it be decided by any individual country,” Foreign Minister Qin argued in this context explained GSI’s major aim will be “serving the interests of all and protect tranquility for all,” while calling for unity and cooperation of the international community in addressing global challenges through win-win cooperation is a sure path to development to ensure a safe world with aim of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Also, looking at the five principles Qin advocated for to implement the GSI, there is no doubt that the proposal offers the world a greater opportunity to achieve sustainable peace. For example, Foreign Minister Qin stressed importance of mutual respect among all countries where regardless of size, strength and wealth all countries are treated equally as the UN Charter notes and also ensuring “interests of all countries and legitimate security concerns of all parties should be respected.”

Secondly, observing that openness and inclusion are key in addressing global challenges, Qin stressed that GSI will remain open for all countries willing to join adding that it will work to ensure that all efforts for global peace and development will be supported.

The other principle advocated for in implementation of GSI is Bilateral and multilateral security cooperation. Qin argues that if pursued among countries around the world and in line with the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits such cooperation will contribute to a peaceful world and will enhance peaceful resolution of any hotspot issue should it arise since this will ensure that matters that concern to all are addressed by all.

The other principle proposed by Foreign Minister Qin in ensuring successful implementation of GSI is mutual benefit and win-win for all parties. As President Xi observed during the 2022 Boao Forum when he announced GSI proposal; “win-win cooperation is a sure path to development.” As an ancient Chinese philosopher once observed; “Stability brings a country prosperity while instability leads a country to poverty… Security is the precondition for development.” Therefore, as Qin noted, “principle of indivisible security should be followed in all ways. One’s own security and the common security of all should be advanced side by side by pursuing win-win cooperation that contributes to each other’s progress, and opposing zero-sum game that benefits oneself at the cost of others, to expand the converging interests among all.”

With all the above, and of course without fronting power politics while advancing global cooperation, multilateralism and respect for all sovereign countries, and listening to legitimate security concerns of all, GSI offers the world a rare opportunity of attaining sustainable peace and tranquillity which are both key to sustainable development.

China’s Foreign Ministry coming up with a concept paper on GSI at this time when the world is faced with unprecedented challenges such as the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and its effects as well as other non-traditional security challenges is timely and should be backed by all peace-loving countries and leaders. This is based on the fact that peace is a perquisite for development. This means, despite living in different countries and regions, as people, we are living in an indivisible security community. Therefore, to have peace and harmony which are key for development, anything that can antagonise security must be avoided. Such may include divisionism based on selfish interests over others’ concerns. Differences like Cold War mentality, unilateralism, power politics, block formation and confrontation endanger peace and can easily wreck the global peace framework and exacerbate security challenges in the 21st century.

The author is a senior research fellow Development Watch Centre; and author of Why Africa Deserves a Permanent Seat at UNSC

Why Africa Deserves a Permanent Seat on United Nations Security Council

Posted on By Admin

When United Nations (UN) was founded in October 1945, only four African countries were part of this organization. Today, all 54 countries are member states of the UN.

Of the 193 member states, only China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and the United States of America (USA) are the only permanent members of United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the organization’s highest decision-making body. This gives them more powers (veto) than the rest of all UN member states when it comes to decision making in the council.  including the entire African.

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