BRICS Foreign Affairs condemn terrorism, call for unblocking IMF reform

New York: The BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa today held their regular meeting on the margins of this annual session of the United Nations General Assembly which marks the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the world body and also the end of the Second World War.
“The Ministers reiterated their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and expressed their conviction that a comprehensive approach was necessary to ensure an effective fight against terrorism,” a statement issued by the Indian External Affairs Ministry said.
They noted that terrorist activities of extremist organizations which control large parts of territory of the Republic of Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic pose a direct threat not only to all the countries of the Middle East, but to the whole international community.
The Ministers reiterated their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and expressed their conviction that a comprehensive approach was necessary to ensure an effective fight against terrorism.
The Ministers urged concerted efforts to counter terrorism on a firm international legal basis, under the UN auspices.
The Ministers stressed the need to continue support to the process of political settlement of the conflict in Syria on the basis of the Geneva communiqu? of June 30, 2012.
They reiterated their intention to contribute to safeguarding a fair and equitable international order based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter as stated in the Ufs Summit declaration. They recalled 2005 World Summit Outcome Document. They reaffirmed the need for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations including its Security Council with a view to making it more representative and efficient. The Ministers discussed the current state of global economy and finances. They recognize the significant contribution of BRICS countries to the global economy and express full confidence in their economic prospects. They also highlighted the importance of decisive and effective actions to accelerate global growth. They reiterated the urgency of unblocking the IMF reform as a measure to reform global economic governance consistent with the interests and needs of the developing countries. The  meeting stressed the importance of closer economic, financial and trade cooperation, particularly through policy coordination, timely implementation of the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership, and the full functioning of the New Development Bank and its African Regional Centre.
Expressing their concern over continued conflicts in several regions, they said the situation undermine stability and security and provide fertile grounds for terrorist activities and cause migration waves. The Ministers welcomed the efforts to resolve conflicts in Africa led by Africa. They believe that the African Stand-by Force and the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crisis that are being operationalised in the framework of the African Peace and Security Architecture have a significant potential in the maintenance of peace and stability on the African continent.
The Ministers reiterated their deep concern about the situation in Ukraine. They emphasized that there is no military solution to the conflict and that the only way to reconciliation is through inclusive political dialogue. The Ministers called on all parties to comply with all provisions of the Minsk Agreements adopted in February 2015. They urged the parties to observe the current ceasefire and make it sustainable. The Parties discussed the possibilities for the mutual support of their initiatives at the 70th session of the UN General Assembly. The Ministers commended Russia for hosting the VII BRICS Summit in Ufa and expressed their satisfaction with the progress achieved in the implementation of the Ufa Action Plan. (UNI)