BRICS FM summit statement calls for peaceful resolution of Ukraine war
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According to a joint statement on Thursday, foreign ministers of the BRICS nations urged the international community to strengthen the arms control system.
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From left, Foreign Ministers from China, Qin Gang, Brazil's, Ambassador Mauro Vieira, South Africa's, Naledi Pandor, Russia's, Sergey Lavrov and India's Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at a meeting from the BRICS economic bloc of developing nations in Cape Town, South Africa Thursday, June 1, 2023. The meeting is a precursor to a larger summit of developing nations in South Africa in August that Russian President Vladimir Putin may attend while under indictment by the International Criminal Court (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht)
According to a joint statement released on Thursday, the BRICS foreign ministers urge the international community to improve the weapons control system.
The statement details how the ministers call for "strengthening the system of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, including the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (BTWC) and the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (CWC), and for preserving their integrity and effectiveness to maintain global stability and international peace and security," the statement said.
The ministers also support discussions on a global accord to avert a space weapons race, expressing that they reassert their support "for ensuring the long-term sustainability of outer space activities and prevention of an arms race in outer space (PAROS) and of its weaponization, including through negotiations to adopt a relevant legally binding multilateral instrument."
The foreign ministers also noted how they appreciated international efforts of mediation to find a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine war.
"The Ministers recalled their national positions concerning the situation in and around Ukraine... They noted with appreciation relevant proposals of mediation and good offices aimed at peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy," the statement read.
The ministers denounced all terrorist assaults on key infrastructure, including energy plants and vulnerable targets, highlighting the necessity of ensuring energy security, noting that energy security is a "crucial foundation for economic development, social stability, national security, and the welfare of all nations worldwide."
The statement also expressed their concern with the violent situation in Sudan, calling for the cessation of hostilities and "unimpeded access of the Sudanese population to humanitarian assistance."
Read more: Suspension of Sudan truce talks should not discourage mediators: AU
The ministers welcomed all international efforts of seeking a solution to the current situation in the country, as well as the evacuation of foreign citizens from Sudan.
Additionally, BRICS called for "the full and effective implementation of both the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Russian Federation and the Secretariat of the United Nations on promoting Russian food products and fertilizers to the world markets and stress the importance of allowing grains and fertilizers to continue to reach those most in need."
BRICS express interest in increasing number member states
During a meeting in Capetown, South Africa, the foreign ministers of BRICS founding member states said that the bloc was open to new members in light of their aspiration for a greater say in international affairs.
"Our gathering must send out a strong message that the world is multipolar, that it is rebalancing and that old ways cannot address new situations," India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said during the opening remarks of the meeting in Capetown.
"We are a symbol of change and must act accordingly," he added.
The foreign ministers called for a "rebalancing" of the international regime.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that more than a dozen countries have expressed interest in joining the bloc: saying that the group is still deliberating as they shape their approach.
"Indeed we discussed this issue [BRICS expansion] and I did discuss it with the [foreign] minister from Saudi Arabia this morning. As regards to approach of BRICS it is still being shaped, it is evolving," Lavrov said at a joint press-conference after the meeting of BRICS foreign ministers.
China's Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu also voiced Beijing's interest in welcoming prospective applicants into the economic bloc.
"We expect more countries to join our big family," Ma said at a press conference.
