BRICS members resolve to combat terror financing networks and terror safe havens

Cape Town: The BRICS grouping of five countries on Friday vowed to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border movement of terrorists, and terror financing networks and safe havens, in an indirect reference to Pakistan Is. In a joint statement titled ‘The Cape of Good Hope’, the foreign ministers of BRICS comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa strongly condemned terrorism “whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed”.

“They (the ministers) are committed to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border movement of terrorists, and terrorism financing networks and safe havens,” the joint statement said. While the joint statement did not name any country, in the past India has described Pakistan as a “hub of terrorism” where terrorists such as Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar, Sajid Mir and Dawood Ibrahim have taken refuge.

Recognizing the threat posed by extremism conducive to terrorism, extremism and radicalism, the Ministers stressed the need for a comprehensive approach by the entire international community to effectively curb terrorist activities, which is currently being intensified in the pandemic environment. Including poses a serious danger. The ministers noted that terrorism should not be linked to any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group and rejected double standards in combating terrorism and extremism conducive to terrorism, the statement said.

They reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to further contribute to global efforts to prevent and combat the threat of terrorism based on respect for international law, in particular the Charter of the United Nations, and human rights, stressing that States Its primary responsibility is to combat terrorism with the United Nations continuing to play a central and coordinating role in this area.

The Ministers also called for the early finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the framework of the United Nations and the launch of multilateral negotiations on an International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Chemical and Biological Terrorism in the Convention on Disarmament. They welcomed the activities of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group and resolved to further deepen counter-terrorism cooperation.

The ministers agreed to strengthen the framework of BRICS cooperation under the three pillars of political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people cooperation, while maintaining the bloc’s spirit characterized by mutual respect and understanding, equality, solidarity, openness. reaffirmed its commitment to inclusiveness, and consensus.

They also reiterated their commitment to strengthening multilateralism and upholding international law, including the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. They expressed concern about the use of unilateral coercive measures, which are inconsistent with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and lead to negative effects, particularly in the developing world.

The Ministers recognized the impact on the world economy of unilateral approaches in violation of international law and noted that the situation is further complicated by unilateral economic coercion measures such as sanctions, boycotts, sanctions and blockades, with an explicit reference to the US. Western countries led by Russia have imposed severe sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine.

Reaffirming the importance of the G20 to play the role of the premier multilateral forum in the field of economic cooperation, the Ministers looked forward to the successful hosting of the G20 Summit under the Indian Presidency, the statement said. The Ministers underlined the importance of encouraging the use of local currencies in international trade and financial transactions within BRICS as well as among their trading partners.

He also reiterated the call for reform of the principal organs of the United Nations. The statement said China and Russia reiterated the importance of the status and role of Brazil, India and South Africa in international affairs, and supported their aspiration to play a greater role in the United Nations.

The Ministers recalled their national positions relating to the situation in and around Ukraine and appreciated the relevant proposals for mediation and good offices aimed at a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. The ministers also called for strengthening the regime of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.

They reaffirmed their national and joint efforts to promote the implementation of the Paris Agreement and stressed the importance of developed countries fulfilling their commitments to provide technology and adequate, predictable, timely, new and additional climate finance Which is long overdue to help developing countries. countries to combat climate change

The BRICS grouping of five countries brings together the world’s five largest developing countries, representing 41 percent of the global population, 24 percent of global GDP and 16 percent of global trade.